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'And
yours, sir, I hope! And every man's here - since he is the King's
enemy. He would take the King's Scottish realm from him - has all
but done so. And now seeks to aid those who would take his English
one also.'

'The
Duke of Hamilton assures me that the Marquis of Argyll's only
intention is to mediate,' Charles said.

'Argyll's
intention, Sire, is to set up a Commonwealth, in which you have no
part. And in which he rules Scotland -and has much say in the rule
of England.'

'This
I cannot believe. This new Covenant, this Solemn League, is
mistaken. But not disloyal.'

That
is not Argyll's work, but Henderson's. Henderson is honest. Argyll
but uses him. And Hamilton aids him in it'

'What
proof have you of what you assert, my lord?' Digby demanded.

'Ample.
Would the English parliament pay
£30,000
per
month for the services of a mediator? That is what they have agreed
to pay for the aid of the Scots army. From the day it crosses the
Border. Indeed a month's payment is already made!'

Clearly
all were shaken by this revelation, staring at the speaker.

'It
appears that my lord Duke has not informed you of this? Yet he was
present and assenting when the compact was made.'

None
spoke.

'Further
to this. Your English subjects, Sire, as deputation to Scotland,
were concerned that the Scots should indeed fulfil their part of the
bargain - which was to be 18,000 foot, 2000 light horse, and 1000
dragoons...'

'Christ
God - over 20,000 men !' Rupert burst out

"Yes,
Your Highness - over 20,000. Large mediation! I was offered the
Lieutenant-Generalship of it, under old Leslie. Indeed, it was much
pressed on me. But that the English commissioners should be
convinced that Argyll would fulfil what he was being paid to do, the
compact was sealed with your own Royal Signet. Of which the Earl of
Lanark, Hamilton's brother, is the Keeper. He sealed it in
person.'

Charles
Stewart gazed great-eyed past them all to the panelled wall, showing
no emotion; but his long, delicate fingers beat a tattoo on the
table-top.

'It
gives me no pleasure to declare this shame to Your Majesty,'
Montrose went on. 'But that you should know of it there is no doubt'

'You
say, my lord, that you were made offer of the Lieutenant-Generalship
?' Rupert asked. 'This seems scarcely believable.'

'So
thought I, Highness - until I discovered what my duties were to be!
They were quite clear. If the English parliament forces were to
lose, and the Scots army found itself in a difficult position deep
in England, facing Your victorious Majesty, I was to be there, to
mediate indeed, my known love of Your Majesty to prove that Leslie's
army meant you no ill. On the other hand, if your enemies were
winning, I was but Lieutenant-General, junior to Leslie, to do what
I was ordered. I was to be, indeed, but a convenient warranty, if
required, a safeguard and prudent discretion should matters go ill.'
He paused for a moment. ‘I think that Argyll and Hamilton
overestimated my influence with Your Majesty!'

The
Earl of Antrim guffawed.

Prince
Maurice spoke, his voice thicker, more deliberate than his
brother's. 'How many men has the Marquis of Newcastle, Sire? In
Yorkshire?' he asked bluntly.

Hyde
answered for him. ‘No more than 6000, sir.'

'And
the Lord Byron? In Lancashire?'

'He
is now at Chester. With but 4000.'

Those
around the King looked at each other. None appeared any longer to
doubt Montrose's assertions, at least as regards the probability of
a Scots invasion.

‘
How
soon, my lord?' Rupert demanded.

"Who
knows? They have been preparing, assembling, for long. I cannot
think that Alexander Leslie will delay much longer.'

'Sir
Alexander Leslie swore to me, when I created him Earl of Leven, that
he would never again take the field against me,' Charles declared
sadly.

None
commented.

'Have
you any suggestions, my lord of Montrose?' Hyde asked, pursing full
lips.

'I
have sir. What I came here to ask of the King. It were better that
the Scots army, when it comes, be drawn back to Scotland than that
you must needs fight it here. This I would seek to do. But, more
than this - Scotland, I swear, can be saved for Your Majesty. Turned
again from the evil courses of Argyll and his puppets. Most of the
folk are still loyal. Arid the nobility much hate the rule of
fanatic preachers. Give me authority to raise Scotland for the King,
and I will restore Your Majesty's ancient realm to you. Or die in
the attempt.'

There
was a murmur of mixed admiration and doubt from his hearers. But
Rupert raised his dark head abruptly, and stepping closer, thrust
out his hand to the Graham, no word spoken.

The
King looked troubled, nobly troubled, a man to whom decision-taking
was agony. His glance at his nephew was almost reproachful.

‘
I
esteem your courage, devotion, goodwill, my lord,' he said
carefully. 'But have you sufficiently considered? You are a young
man yet. Head of a notable house. But single-handed, how could you
raise a whole nation? Which is already in arms against me.'

'My
lord is not single-handed, Sire.' That was young Aboyne, making a
first contribution. 'Clan Gordon will join with the Grahams. And
where Gordon goes, will go many another.'

'As
will Ogilvy,' the other lordling declared, as stoudy.

Montrose
smiled at his two lieutenants, who scarcely numbered forty years
between them.

Digby
snorted. 'This is war, my lords - not game playing!' he declared.
'If what has been said is true, a deal more than this will be
required to win Scotland from the Marquis of Argyll and his
Covenanters. I advise that Your Majesty thinks most carefully.'

'Can
the King lose by it ?' the Graham asked. ‘I ask nothing but a
commission to raise Scotland in his name. Authority. If I do not
succeed, what have I cost him? A paper. And at least I will give
Argyll and Leslie pause. That I promise. They will be less eager for
adventures in England while I am recruiting at their backs.'

'Aye,
Sire - here's a ploy!' the Scots-Irish MacDonnell, Earl of Antrim,
broke in.' I can take a hand here, by God! I have never loved the
Campbell. I will ship
10,000
gallow-glasses
across the Irish Sea into Argyll, by your leave. And see how your
new Marquis likes the style of them!' Antrim apparently continued to
cherish the age-old Clan Donald hatred for Clan Dairmid, even
transplanted in Ulster. And undoubtedly he resented the Argyll
marquisate.

'We
have all heard of your
10,000
Irishry!'
Digby said sourly. 'But even if we were to
see
them,
for a change, they would be Catholics to a man! His Majesty would
needs think twice before unleashing such on his Protestant realms.
Even on Scotland!'

'Insolent
puppy!' Antrim snarled. 'Think you the King's subjects must all be
such as you? Mother of Christ forbid it! I...'

'Enough,
my lords - enough!' Charles said, raising his hand. 'Restrain
yourselves, at least in my presence, I charge you. My lord of
Montrose - I will consider this matter. Consider it well. This
is Scotland. Take sure advice. I thank you for your good will. Even
if I cannot thank you for your tidings.' He sighed. 'Now, my friends
- let us join Her Majesty.'

'And
Hamilton, Sire?' Rupert demanded. ‘What of the Duke?'

This
also I must consider. Make enquiry, painful enquiry. It may not be
quite so ill as my lord believes. Who knows?'

'It
may be
more
ill,
Uncle! Cherishing a snake to your bosom can cost you dear! I say
that you should arrest him forthwith. And his precious brother. And
enquire thereafter.'

'That
would be too hasty, Rupert. You are ever hasty. But we shall test
the matter, never fear.' Charles rose. 'Her Majesty will look for
us...'

Charles
Stewart ran true to form. He delayed decision.

Hamilton
and Lanark departed again for Scotland, unchallenged. And that
he should not be badgered and harried in the meantime, the King
arranged it so that impatient and importunate young men should be
kept occupied and out of the way while he made up his mind. The
Princes Rupert and Maurice were given a variety of urgent if minor
military tasks to perform, from this Oxford base - since large-scale
warfare was considered to be out of the question during the
particularly severe winter conditions, by both sides, with armies
and garrisons more or less sitting tight up and down England. And
Montrose was instructed to accompany the young princes on these
sallies, as schooling and experience - and was nothing loth, finding
it infinitely to be preferred to the hothouse atmosphere of
over-crowded Oxford, with its excesses, its drinking and gaming and
brawling, its duels and back-stabbing, its promiscuity and vice, its
everlasting play-acting, dancing, music and feasting - so strange a
Court for a dedicated and religiously-minded monarch, who seemed
indeed so other-worldly and high-minded as scarcely to be aware of
what went on around him. Montrose found in Rupert especially a
fellow being almost entirely after his own heart, and they were
close friends more or less from first sight - even though the prince
had a ruthlessness and violence in him which found no echo in the
Graham. But particularly in matters military they made a pair,
audacious, swift, artful, courageous, each with his own genius to
complement the other's. Together during that bitter cold
December and January, with small mobile forces, they dashed about
the upper Thames area, relieving a castle here, and a village there,
raiding in the Chiltems and Cotswolds, encouraging isolated
commanders, threatening the communications of Fairfax's and Waller's
armies, superintending the fortification of Towcestcr and other
towns. Montrose found it all greatly to his taste; and had it not
been for a preoccupation with the Scots situation, and a fretting
that the King appeared to be incapable of positive action, it would
have been one of the most satisfying periods of his life.

Then,
on the
15th
of
January
1644,
ignoring
the winter conditions, Field-Marshal the Earl of Leven led the Scots
army into England, and came fighting, not mediating, with the
Marquis of Argyll acting colonel to his own Campbell regiment
therein. Suddenly all was changed.