Mr. Pitt nodded, and his voice took on a more sympathetic tone: "That is another matter. Such conditions would in time undermine the fortitude of any man, and when I first saw you this morning I thought you looking far from well. 'Tis clear you need a period of relaxation."
To this belated recognition of his unhappy state, Roger replied with a bitter smile: "Sir, I am sick in mind and body, and need far more than that to make me my. own man again."
"Oh come! Tis not too late in the year for you to take a holiday by the sea. The coast of Kent can be delightful in September. Allow me to give instructions for you and your wife to be installed at Walmer Castle. I know no better place for restoring a man's peace of mind. Then when you feel equal to it you could move on to Bath or Brighton and participate for a while in the gaieties of the autumn season. By November I vow you will be spoiling to take up once more the invaluable work you have been doing for me."
"I thank you, Sir; but no. Whatever you may believe, I am convinced that for. a long time to come Paris will remain a city ruled by fear, violence and arbitrary arrest. While serving you there I have made deadly enemies; and there are others there who know the double part I played. Were I betrayed, my record is such that despite any lessening of the Terror I would lose my head, and I have a whim to keep it on my shoulders. That I should have lived through the worst and got away is not due to one, but a whole series of miracles. I would be mad to tempt Providence further.''
"Mr. Brook, I appreciate all you say, yet I would still ask you to consider my side of the matter. I have many other agents in France who send me useful intelligence, but none like yourself. They can do no more than hover on the outskirts of events, whereas you have made your way into the councils of those who initiate them. God forbid that I should send any man to his death; but having, as you say yourself, lived through the worst, I have even greater confidence in your ability to er . . . keep that handsome head on your shoulders in the less dangerous circumstances now emerging. I will not ask you for a decision now. Let us postpone the issue. But I pray you reflect on what I have said, and come to see me again when you have recovered from the nervous exhaustion which at present afflicts you."
"Nay, Sir. There would be no point in that. In '92 I agreed to go again to France because I was at that time in desperate need of money. Now, thank God, I am better found; so can afford to risk your displeasure. Until your own prognostications are fulfilled, and France once more becomes a country fitted for a human being to live in, I am resolved not to return to it"
The corners of the Prime Minister's thin mouth drew down, and he asked sternly: "Am I to understand that you refuse to continue to serve me?"
"By no means, Sir. My youth and good constitution should set me up again by Christmas. In the new year I hope you will find another mission for me."
"Ah! Now you speak more in the vein to which I am accustomed from you. Should the autumn campaign go as I expect, by early spring the conditions you require may be fulfilled. You could be of inestimable value to me in Paris while I negotiate peace and a restoration."
"No, no!" Roger exclaimed in exasperation. "I thought I had made myself plain. I'll not set foot on French soil until the restoration is an accomplished fact But there are other countries. In '66 you sent me to aid my Lord Malmesbury in Holland. In '87 I served you at the Courts of Denmark, Sweden and Russia. In '89 and '90 I carried out missions for Queen Marie Antoinette at the courts of Tuscany and Naples. In '91 you made me your envoy extraordinary to Madrid. I have useful acquaintances in all these places. Send me to any of them, to America, or to one of the German courts. I care not; but I have earned the right to ask that it should be to some city in which I can live like a civilized human being, and not a hunted, half-starved dog."
Slowly shaking his head from side to side, Mr. Pitt replied: "Now that Austria, Prussia, the Rhine Provinces, Holland, Spain, Sardinia and Naples are all joined with us in a grand alliance to crush the French, our diplomats furnish me with all the information I require of the happenings at their courts; and our relations with all the neutral countries are fully satisfactory. France is my problem, and among the minds that direct her policy you have made for yourself a niche that no other man can fill. Twould be a criminal waste to send you elsewhere." Then, standing up, he added with a kindly smile: "Think no more of this now. When you are restored to health I feel sure you will regard the matter differently. Near Christmas time. I will get in touch with you; so be good enough to keep me informed of your whereabouts."
Roger, too, had risen to his feet. His mouth set for a moment in a firm, hard line, then he said:
"It would be useless, Sir. Since you refuse me reasonable employment I have now made up my mind to accept an invitation I received but yesterday. By Christmas I'll be in the West Indies, and should I find the sugar islands as pleasant as they are portrayed I intend to stay there."
chapter II
THE SILKEN CORD
As Roger rode away from Holwood House his feelings were very mixed. The nerve-racking existence he had led through the Terror would have satiated most men's zest for adventure for the rest of their lives; but it was the horror of it, together with the sordid conditions in which he had been compelled to live, more than the ever-present danger, that had so sickened him of his work in Paris. Previous to the rising crescendo of butchery that had taken place during his last mission to France, he had greatly enjoyed himself, both there and in the numerous other countries to which he had been sent. Meeting sovereigns, statesmen, generals and diplomats in court and camp, intriguing to secure information of value, and even at times succeeding in influencing events in favour of his country, had become the breath of life to him. He had, therefore, had no intention of severing his connection with Mr. Pitt, and would never have done so but for his master's uncompromising refusal to send him anywhere other than back to France.
On the other hand, the idea of dropping all cares for many months, while making a voyage to the West Indies, had been very tempting. The invitation had come quite unexpectedly and, as things had turned out, could not have done so at a more appropriate moment. He had been home only two nights, and the day before, his oldest friend, Georgina, now Countess of St. Ermins, had driven out to Richmond to pay a surprise visit to his wife, Amanda. The St. Ermins were in London in August only because the Earl had been suffering from such acute insomnia that Georgina had decided that he must consult a mental specialist The doctor's recommendation had been a long sea voyage, and as St Ermins had estates in Jamaica, it had been decided that they should go out there for the winter and later, perhaps, visit North America. Georgina had not known that Roger was back from France, and on finding him at home, but in such poor health, she had at once declared that he and Amanda must accompany her and her husband on their voyage.
As the four of them were such close friends no prospect could have been more delightful and Amanda had instantly pressed Roger to accept for them; but he had told her he feared that Mr. Pitt would have projects for his future which would put such a prolonged absence from Europe quite out of the question. Now, angry as he was with the Prime Minister for having forced his hand, he was glad of it for Amanda's sake; and, after he had ridden a mile, he decided that he was really glad for his own as well.