For some time his interest in politics, save in so much as affected the king’s person, had been gradually ceasing.

‘I trust I have done my part,’ he said once to the two clergymen, as they sat by his bedside.  ’Yet I know not.  I fear me I clove too fast to my money.  Yet would I have parted with all, even to my shirt, to make my lord the king a good catholic.  But it may be, sir Toby, we make more of such matters down here than they do in the high countries; and in that case, good doctor, ye are to blame who broke away from your mother, even were she not perfect.’

He crossed himself and murmured a prayer, in fear lest he had been guilty of laxity of judgment.  But neither clergyman said a word.

‘But tell me, gentlemen, ye who understand sacred things,’ he resumed, ’can a man be far out of the way so long as, with full heart and no withholding, he saith, Fiat voluntas tua—­and that after no private interpretation, but Sicut in caelo?’

‘That, my lord, I also strive to say with all my heart,’ said Dr. Bayly.

‘Mayhap, doctor,’ returned the marquis, ’when thou art as old as I, and hast learned to see how good it is, how all-good, thou wilt be able to say it without any striving.  There was a time in my life when I too had to strive, for the thought that he was a hard master would come, and come again.  But now that I have learned a little more of what he meaneth with me, what he would have of me and do for me, how he would make me pure of sin, clean from the very bottom of my heart to the crest of my soul, from spur to plume a stainless knight, verily I am no more content to submit to his will:  I cry in the night time, “Thy will be done:  Lord, let it be done, I entreat thee;” and in the daytime I cry, “Thy kingdom come:  Lord, let it come, I pray thee."’

He lay silent.  The clergymen left the room, and lord Charles came in, and sat down by his bedside.  The marquis looked at him, and said kindly,

‘Ah, son Charles! art thou there?’

’I came to tell you, my lord, the rumour goeth that the king hath consented to establish the presbyterian heresy in the land,’ said lord Charles.

’Believe it not, my lord.  A man ought not to believe ill of another so long as there is space enough for a doubt to perch.  Yet, alas! what shall be hoped of him who will yield nothing to prayers, and everything to compulsion?  Had his majesty been a true prince, he had ere now set his foot on the neck of his enemies, or else ascended to heaven a blessed martyr.  “Protestant,” say’st thou?  In good sooth, I force not.  What is he now but a football for the sectaries to kick to and fro!  But I shall pray for him whither I go, if indeed the prayers of such as I may be heard in that country.  God be with his majesty.  I can do no more.  There are other realms than England, and I go to another king.  Yet will I pray for England, for she is dear to my heart.  God grant the evil time may pass, arid Englishmen yet again grow humble and obedient!’