A languid colour touched the King's hollow cheek.
"What is that?"
"The completion of Your Majesty's life-work."
There was silence. The King paled again and looked out of the window.
"I cannot talk of business," he said hoarsely, after a while.
"I speak of the Queen—her wishes," answered Sunderland. "She greatly desired the building of Greenwich Hospital, but she still more desired the preservation of this realm—and of the Republic."
At this last word the King gave a little shiver.
"The Republic," repeated Sunderland, "needeth Your Majesty."
William looked round again—his face was troubled.
"You speak to a dead man," he said, in a hurried whisper. "I have finished."