The Great Roxhythe
Central figure; a master spy and manipulator navigating court politics.
Book I: The Ways Run Parallel
Introduced as a key figure navigating court intrigue and espionage.
Book I: The Ways Run Parallel
Introduced as the son of Roderick Dart, whose path will parallel and conflict with Roxhythe's.
I: The King and His Favourite
Summoned by the King, he is the trusted favourite who reluctantly agrees to undertake a secret mission to the Hague.
II: The King His Councillors
Arrives at the meeting with Buckingham and Ashley-Cooper, agrees to the King's secret mission, and decides to recruit Christopher Dart.
II: The King His Councillors
Recommended by Ashley-Cooper as a trustworthy young man; Roxhythe plans to visit him in Milford Lane.
III: Christopher Dart
Recruits Christopher Dart for a secret mission to Holland; displays a languid, foppish demeanor but reveals his keen intelligence and fascination.
III: Christopher Dart
Young and inexperienced, he is recruited by Roxhythe; feels both excitement and an inexplicable dislike for Roxhythe, but ultimately agrees to join the mission.
IV: Flushing
Reveals his court disgrace as a deliberate blind; falls ill during the journey to Holland but refuses to rest.
Mynheer de Staal
Feigns illness to evade a spy, enlists de Staal's help, and escapes by night to The Hague.
Mynheer de Staal
Assists Roxhythe, writes to his brother Roderick, and struggles with suppressed excitement.
VI: Roderick Dart
Arrives in Delft and The Hague, meets Roderick Dart at The Three Fishers, uses charm and the King's ring to seek access to Prince William.
VII: William of Orange
Presents the secret proposition to Prince William, navigating the tense and suspicious atmosphere of the Dutch court.
IX: The King of England
Returns to Whitehall and gives a detailed account of his failed mission to William of Orange, describing his humiliating treatment and the Prince's formidable character.
I: January, 1669
Returns unexpectedly from Paris; maintains a languid, cynical facade but has shown astuteness in Holland; kind to Christopher but reticent about his deeper life.
II: The Offer
Observes the meeting silently, playing with his gloves; later discusses Prince William of Orange and is tasked with going to Paris to sound out Madame d'Orléans.
III: Her Ladyship
Resumes negotiations with France, flirts with Lady Crewe, and reunites with his cousin Lady Frances Montgomery at her reception.
III: Her Ladyship
Accompanies Roxhythe to Lady Frances's reception and falls in love with her at first sight.
IV: Her Ladyship's Perplexity
Discussed at length; Lady Frances believes he is a cunning political operator feigning ignorance, while Sir Jasper sees him as a harmless gallant.
IV: Her Ladyship's Perplexity
Mentioned as Roxhythe's secretary; Lady Frances notes his honesty and honor, finding it puzzling that he serves Roxhythe.
V: Lady Crewe
Returns from Paris and attends Lady Crewe's masquerade, where he flatters and reconciles with her after missing her ball.
V: Lady Crewe
Meets Harcourt, informs Roxhythe of Lady Crewe's visit, and accompanies Roxhythe to the masquerade.
VI: The Price
Reports to the King on the treaty negotiations and advises on the price to demand from Louis XIV.
VII: The First Seed of Doubt
Christopher defends Roxhythe's character and loyalty, but others question his motives and frequent trips to Paris.
VIII: Madame
Arrives in Paris, attends the levée, and negotiates with Madame about the treaty.
IX: The Growth of the Seed
Returns from Paris unexpectedly; reassures Christopher about his activities; sends Christopher to Bevan.
IX: The Growth of the Seed
Defends Roxhythe against Ashley's suspicions; confronts Roxhythe about rumors; is sent to Bevan.
X: May, 1670
Negotiates the treaty with France, counsels patience, and remains loyal to Charles. He is the subject of James's jealousy and distrust.
XI: Unrest
Remains aloof from political unrest, continues his affair with Lady Crewe, and dismisses the news of the De Witt murders with boredom.
XI: Unrest
Defends Roxhythe against his brother's warnings, is troubled by Roxhythe's treatment of Lady Crewe, and is shocked by the De Witt murders.
Book III: Quo Vadis?
Central figure grappling with his past and present loyalties.
I: Whitehall
Expresses regret over his path of intrigue and a desire to return to soldiering, but reaffirms his loyalty to King Charles. Resolves a tavern quarrel involving his secretary.
I: Whitehall
Roxhythe's secretary, who defended his master's honor in a tavern brawl against Fortescue, challenging him to a duel.
II: The Husband
Leads Millicent to a private room, kisses her, and later handles Sir Henry Crewe's challenge with cool authority.
II: The Husband
Observes Millicent's distress and attempts to engage her in conversation, but withdraws when Roxhythe approaches.
III: The Challenge
Refuses to duel Sir Henry Crewe despite insults and a physical blow, citing the need to protect Lady Crewe's reputation. Later confides in Lady Frances about his regret and his esteem for her and Madame.
IV: Progression
Discussed as the object of Millicent Crewe's affections; described as fascinating and magnetic, but now avoiding her society.
IV: Progression
Defends Roxhythe and the King against Harcourt's accusations; shows loyalty and discretion in his conversations.
The Most Noble the Marquis
Sent to Paris by King Charles to negotiate with Louis XIV; upon return, is shot by Sir Henry Crewe in a jealous rage but survives and dictates terms.
The Most Noble the Marquis
Receives Lady Crewe's message and later witnesses the aftermath of the shooting, assisting in the situation.
VI: The King His Will
Lying wounded after being shot by Sir Henry Crewe; refuses vengeance and manipulates the situation to rid himself of Lady Crewe; objects to King Charles begging Louis XIV for money.
VI: The King His Will
Attends Roxhythe, escorts the King, and expresses his deep loyalty to both Roxhythe and Charles.
VII: The Hand of Fate
Struggles between his loyalty to the King and his fondness for Christopher, ultimately choosing to deceive him for the King's cause.
VII: The Hand of Fate
Eagerly accepts the mission, swearing loyalty to the King and Roxhythe, unaware of the true purpose of the letters.
VIII: The Amiable Mr. Milward Again
Present in the library with the King when Christopher returns; shows no surprise at his arrival.
IX: Disillusionment
Roxhythe is confronted by Christopher about his secret intrigues with France and the King. He defends his actions as part of the game of politics, showing a cynical and pragmatic worldview.
IX: Disillusionment
Christopher is deeply disillusioned after reading his brother's letter and confronting Roxhythe. He struggles to reconcile his love for Roxhythe with the dishonorable actions revealed.
X: The Bitter Hour
Roxhythe remains flippant and dismissive when Christopher confronts him, but later shows a rare moment of vulnerability, offering Christopher a standing invitation to return.
X: The Bitter Hour
Christopher is tormented by the loss of trust in Roxhythe and the King, struggling between love for Roxhythe and his own sense of honor. He ultimately offers his resignation.
Book IV: The One Part
Central figure in the secret negotiations, navigating between English and French interests.
I: The New Master
Appears at Whitehall, speaks with Lady Frances about Christopher's departure, admits to using Christopher, later writes a letter urging Christopher to visit.
I: The New Master
Has left Roxhythe's service, living in Cheapside in apathy, visits Lady Frances, applies for and accepts a secretary position with Sir Richard Worth, receives a letter from Roxhythe but resists visiting.
II: The Coming of William
Discusses the marriage scheme with the King, walks in the Privy Gardens, and later stands by the Queen during William's arrival.
II: The Coming of William
Dines with Roderick, defends his loyalty to Roxhythe, and deflects questions about his activities in Flanders.
III: La Kéroualle
Escorts Prince William, discusses the marriage alliance, and later parries questions from La Kéroualle about Charles's loyalty to France.
IV: The Meeting
Arrives uninvited at Lady Frances's home, seeking to see Christopher and reassert his influence.
IV: The Meeting
Struggles with his emotions upon seeing Roxhythe, maintaining a composed exterior while internally conflicted.
V: Discord
Sent to Paris to placate Louis XIV after the royal marriage; fails in his mission and is discredited with the French king.
V: Discord
Deeply unhappy after breaking with Roxhythe; serves Shaftesbury and then Worth, but resigns from both due to moral conflicts; yearns to return to Roxhythe.
VI: The Decision
Christopher's former master and beloved, whose betrayal has driven Christopher to leave England.
VII: The Revenge
Gazing out into the rain; advises the King, reveals Louis has warned the Country Party against him.
VIII: The Haven
Referenced in conversation; Christopher admits his devotion to Roxhythe remains despite past hurts.
Book V: The Other Part
Central figure whose actions and schemes are viewed from a different angle.
I: The Triple Game
Plays a double game, feigning opposition to the Duke of York to infiltrate Shaftesbury's faction while secretly serving King Charles II.
II: The Schemers
Feigns allegiance to the Exclusionist faction while secretly serving King Charles II, manipulating the schemers with ease.
III: Agitations
Advises the King to let Shaftesbury run his course; warns against intervening in Stafford's trial; clashes with the Duke of York.
IV: The King His Triumph
Advises the King to prorogue Parliament, sows doubt in Monmouth, and maneuvers to bring down Shaftesbury.
Plots
Orchestrates the foiling of Rumbald's plot and manipulates Monmouth's conspirators, coercing Rumsey into betrayal.
VI: Monmouth
Reveals the plot to the King and later advises Monmouth to go into hiding.
February, 1685
Defends his lifelong devotion to King Charles; remains at the King's bedside during his final illness and death.
VIII: The Losing Game
Grieving the King's death, Roxhythe refuses to leave England despite threats, and rejects Lady Sunderland's invitation, contemplating his future with weary defiance.
IX: The Sunderlands
Roxhythe is approached by Trenchard on behalf of Monmouth but refuses the offer. He later mourns King Charles II while holding a comfit-box given by him.
X: The Shot
Receives Christopher's message, discusses William of Orange and Monmouth, and is shot by an assassin as he leaves the ball.
XI: The Great Roxhythe
Mortally wounded by Trenchard, he dies with dignity, reflecting on his past and his loyalty to the King.
