ess what he aims at; I confine myself to watching
what he does, and that is well enough. Now I believe--you observe the
meaning of the word _I believe?_--_I believe_, with respect to Monk,
ties one to nothing--I believe that he has a strong inclination to
succeed Cromwell. Your Charles II. has already caused proposals to be
made to him by ten persons; he has satisfied himself with driving these
ten meddlers from his presence, without saying anything to them but,
'Begone, or I will have you hung.' That man is a sepulcher! At this
moment Monk is affecting devotion to the Rump Parliament; of this
devotion, I am not the dupe. Monk has no wish to be assassinated,--an
assassination would stop him in the middle of his operations; and his
work must be accomplished;--so I believe--but do not believe what I
believe, sire: for as I say I believe from habit--I believe that Monk
is keeping on friendly terms with the parliament till the day comes for
dispersing it. You are asked for swords, but they are to fight against
Monk. God preserve you from fighting against Monk, sire; for Monk would
beat us, and I should never console myself after being beaten by Monk.
I should say to myself, Monk has foreseen that victory ten years. For
God's sake, sire, out of friendship for you, if not out of consideration
for himself, let Charles II. keep quiet. Your majesty will give him
a little income here; give him one of your chateaux. Yes, yes--wait
awhile. But I forget the treaty--that famous treaty of which we were
just now speaking. Your majesty has not even the right to give him a
chateau."

"How is that?"

"Yes, yes; your majesty is bound not to grant hospitality to King
Charles, and to compel him to leave France even. It was on this account
we forced him to quit you, and yet here he is again. Sire, I hope you
will give your brother to understand that he cannot remain with us; that
it is impossible he should be allowed to compromise us; or I myself--"

"Enough, my lord," said Louis XIV., rising. "In refusing me a million,
perhaps you may be right; your millions are your own. In refusing me two
hundred gentlemen, you are still further in the right; for you are prime
minister, and you have, in the eyes of France, the responsibility of
peace and war. But that you should pretend to prevent me, who am king,
from extending my hospitality to the grandson of Henry IV., to my
cousin-german, to the companion of my childhood--there your power stops,
an