At a table, writing, is NEAL, the King’s secretary.  He finishes his document, and, going to a bureau, locks it away.  He returns to the table, and, taking up an unopened envelope, examines it carefully.  As he is doing so CHARLES enters from an inner room.

Charles: From Hamilton?

Neal: Yes, sire.

Charles: Has it been opened?

Neal: I think not.

(CHARLES takes the letter, opens and reads it.)

Charles: Good.  The commissioners from Scotland are in London.  They are prepared to hear from us.

Neal: Andrews goes to London to-night.  He is to be trusted.

Charles: Everything begins to move for us again.  To-morrow they will miss us here, eh, Neal?  In a week we should be at Carisbrooke.

Neal: Do not be too confident, sire.  Things have miscarried before.

Charles: But not this time, Neal, believe me.  Their House and their army are at odds.  I’ve seen to that.  It has gained time, and perplexed their resolution.  And now Scotland will strike again, and this time mortally.  Yes, the end will be with us, mark me.

Ned: May Your Majesty reckon truly.

Charles: Is Cromwell coming to-night?

Ned: He said not.

Charles: Strangely, the fellow grows on me.  But he’s a fool, Neal.  Brave, but a fool.  He sees nothing.  Indeed, he’s too dull.  Ireton too—­they are heavy stuff.  Clods.  Poor country.  She needs us again truly.  To check such mummers as these—­all means are virtuous for that, Neal, eh?

Neal: Your Majesty knows.

Charles: Yes, we need no counsel.  You are sure that Cromwell was not coming to-night.

Neal: That was as he said, sire.

Charles: Then let us consider.  These Scots.  What was it?  Did you set it down?

Neal: Yes, sire.

(He gets the paper that he put in the bureau, and gives it to CHARLES.)

Charles (reading it):  Yes.  Write.

(NEAL does so on a large folio sheet.)

Clause I. For the reason that the Scots should invade England.  Let the intrigues of Parliament with the army and its leaders—­notably Oliver Cromwell—­to the peril of the Church and the King, stand to the world in justification.  Clause 2.  The royal forces in England shall move when and as the Duke of Hamilton directs.  Clause 3.  The King shall guarantee Presbyterian control in England for three years from this date.  But the King shall for himself be at liberty to use his own form of divine service.  Clause 4.  All opinion and practice of those who call themselves Independents are to be suppressed.  To see that this is diligently done may be left to the King’s pleasure....  Yes—­once we are at Carisbrooke....  Copy that, Neal.  I will sign it.  Let it go by Andrews to-night.

Neal: Yes, sire.