_Straf._ Quick, dear child, The whole o' the scheme? _Lady Car._ (Ah, he would learn if they Connive at Pym's procedure! Could they but Have once apprised the King! But there 's no time For falsehood, now.) Strafford, the whole is known. _Straf._ Known and approved? _Lady Car._ Hardly discountenanced. _Straf._ And the King--say, the King consents as well? _Lady Car._ The King 's not yet informed, but will not dare To interpose. _Straf._ What need to wait him, then? He 'll sanction it! I stayed, child, tell him, long! It vexed me to the soul--this waiting here. You know him, there 's no counting on the King. Tell him I waited long! _Lady Car._ (What can he mean? Rejoice at the King's hollowness?) _Straf._ I knew They would be glad of it,--all over once, I knew they would be glad: but he 'd contrive, The Queen and he, to mar, by helping it, An angel's making. _Lady Car._ (Is he mad?) Dear Strafford, You were not wont to look so happy. _Straf._ Sweet, I tried obedience thoroughly. I took The King's wild plan: of course, ere I could reach My army, Conway ruined it. I drew The wrecks together, raised all heaven and earth, And would have fought the Scots: the King at once Made truce with them. Then, Lucy, then, dear child, God put it in my mind to love, serve, die For Charles, but never to obey him more! While he endured their insolence at Ripon I fell on them at Durham. But you 'll tell The King I waited? All the anteroom Is filled with my adherents. _Lady Car._ Strafford--Strafford, What daring act is this you hint? _Straf._ No, no! 'T is here, not daring if you knew? all here! [_Drawing papers from his breast._ Full proof; see, ample proof--does the Queen know I have such damning proof? Bedford and Essex, Brooke, Warwick, Savile (did you notice Savile? The simper that I spoilt?), Saye, Mandeville-- Sold to the Scots, body and soul, by Pym! _Lady Car._ Great heaven! _Straf._ From Savile and his lords, to Pym And his losels, crushed!--Pym shall not ward the blow Nor Savile creep aside from it! The Crew And the Cabal--I crush them! _Lady Car._ And you go-- Strafford,--and now you go? _Straf._ --About no work In the background, I promise you! I go Straight to the House of Lords to claim these knaves. Mainwaring! _Lady Car._ Stay--stay, Strafford! _Straf._ She 'll return, The Queen--some little project of her own! No time to lose: the King takes fright perhaps. _Lady Car._ Pym 's strong, remember!