"No confusion could be worse than what we now endure—perhaps alone ye can put it straight."
They looked at each other. In their hearts they all knew that the King, and the King alone held them together and kept them from France; to the Whigs his departure would mean ruin, and among the Tories there was not one man capable of undertaking a tithe of what the King—who had foreign affairs exclusively in his hands—performed.
"What is Your Majesty's reason for this bitter resolve?" cried Caermarthen.
"I am needed in Holland," said William. "I have, my lord, my lifework to do. There are certain things put to my hand for me to accomplish, and I have pursued them through too many difficulties to be thwarted now by the disputes of the English Parliament——"
He spoke with a sudden force that lashed them.
"I took this crown," he added, holding his hand to his breast, "that I might, with God His help, put England in her ancient place among nations, not that I might lose myself in heated factions and blind animosities."
"If Your Majesty desert us we are all undone," said Caermarthen passionately.
"Ah, my lords," answered William, "I am not of a nature to be the puppet between your parties. God gave me a disposition different—I cannot mix in these your politics."
His cough interrupted him; he gave a little shudder, and sank back into the walnut-backed chair.
"There are some things beyond a man's strength," he said hoarsely, "and I, hampered as I am, cannot govern England."