"Indeed! Mr Vanslyperken," replied the duke, smiling incredulously, "and pray what may they be? you must be as expeditious as possible, for his Majesty is waiting for us."
"These letters will take some time to read," replied Vanslyperken; "but their contents are most important."
"Indeed, letters--how have you possession of their letters?"
"It will be rather a long story, sir--my lord! I mean," replied Vanslyperken; "but they will amply repay an hour of your time, if you can spare it."
At this moment, the door opened and his Majesty entered the room. At the sight of the king, Vanslyperken's confidence was again taking French leave.
"My lords, I am waiting for you," said the king, with a little asperity of manner.
"May it please your Majesty, here is Lieutenant Vanslyperken, commanding one of your Majesty's vessels, who states that he has important intelligence, and that he has possession of Jacobite papers."
"Indeed!" replied King William, who was always alive to Jacobite plotting, from which he had already run so much risk.
"What is it, Mr Vanslyperken? speak boldly what you have to communicate."
"Your Majesty, I beg your gracious pardon, but here are copies of the correspondence carried on by the traitors in England and this country. If your Majesty will deign to have it read, you will then perceive how important it is--after your Majesty has read it, I will have the honour to explain to you by what means it came into my possession."