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His standing had increased grandly since our previous meeting, and he wished all to know of his power as Secretary of State for the South. It is unwise even now to compare any man unfavorably with Cromwell, but there was a simplicity about that great bad man which was far more impressive for being totally unpracticed and unfeigned. For Cromwell truly was a great man, the greatest, I believe, this country has ever known. His clarity of mind, his strength and certainty were such that, born to a gentleman’s estate, he made himself a kingdom; had he been born to a kingdom, he would have made himself an empire. He reduced three nations, which perfectly hated him, to entire obedience; governed by an army which wished his ruin, and inspired fear across a continent and beyond. He held the country in his palm yet would often greet a visitor himself, and pour wine with his own hands. He had no need of display, for there was no mistaking his authority. I said this once to Lord Clarendon, and he agreed with my account.
Mr. Be
It was all for show, and in conversation he was as English as he was Spanish in ma
“What, exactly, do you think you are doing, Dr. Wallis?” he shouted, waving a piece of paper at me, too far away for me to see. “Are you mad that you disobey my express orders?”
I told him I did not understand the question.
“I have here a strongly worded note,” he said, breathing heavily that I might feel, see and hear his anger all at the same time, “from a very indignant Spanish ambassador. Is it true that you had the presumption yesterday evening to lecture him on the peace of Christendom, and tell him how his country’s foreign policy should be run?”
“It most certainly is not,” I replied. My curiosity at this turn of events was overcoming my alarm at the evident anger my patron was demonstrating. I knew Mr. Be
“How do you explain the offense you have given him then?” Be
“I do not know what the offense is. I conversed—I thought most pleasantly—with Señor de Moledi yesterday evening, and we parted with mutual expressions of regard. It may be that I angered him by refusing a large bribe, I do not know; I thought I had turned down the offer with the greatest of tact. Might I ask what is the complaint?”
“He says you all but accused him of fomenting a plot to kill the king. Is that true?”
“It is not. I never mentioned any such thing, nor would I ever have dreamed of doing so.”
“What do you think you said?”
“I merely told him that it was strongly held by many that his country wished England no good. It was not an important part of the conversation.”
“But it was cautiously said,” Be
Faced with such an ultimatum, I could do no other. And it was the greatest mistake that ever I made. I do not blame Mr. Be
I told Mr. Be
Be
Eventually he turned to face me, and I could see from his expression that the anger had passed. I was not, however, to escape further reproof.
“I must commend you,” he said, “for the diligence your love of His Majesty has produced. I do not doubt for a minute that you have acted with the very best of intentions, and that your desire was simply and wholly the safety of the realm. You are a most excellent servant.”
“I thank you.”
“But in this matter, you have made a serious error. You must know that in diplomacy nothing is ever as it seems, and what may appear as common sense is often the opposite. We ca
“But you know as well, sir,” I said, “that Spanish agents are operating freely, spending their gold to buy support.”
“Of course they are. And so are the French and the Dutch. What of it? As long as all spend with the same enthusiasm, and none gains the upper hand, then no harm is done. Your comments in themselves do little harm, please do not think that. But if your suspicions become generally known, then the French interest will be strengthened. Young Louis has deep coffers. His Majesty is tempted already, even though it would be a disaster. It is imperative that nothing disturbs the balance which those who have the interest of the country at heart have created. Now, tell me, does anyone else know of this suspicion you have?”
“Absolutely not,” I said. “I am the only person with a full knowledge of it. My servant Matthew no doubt has some understanding, since he is an intelligent boy, but even he does not know the full story.”
“And he is where?”
“He is now back in England. But you need have no fears about him. He is totally bound to me.”
“Good. Talk to him and make sure he understands.”
“I am happy to obey your wishes in this matter,” I continued, “but I must repeat that, as far as I can see, the matter is a serious one nonetheless. With the sanction of the Spanish crown or not, this man is coming to the country, and I believe him to be very dangerous to us. What am I to do about it? Surely you do not think that he should be left in peace.”