"M. de Maine is to be sent with M. de Villeroy."
"So they send M. de Maine to fight us, do they?" exclaimed the King. "We should be the equal of M. de Maine."
He looked kindly and steadily at M. van Keppel.
"My child," he said, "you are a good patriot, and that is the best thing in the world to be. We must give you a regiment. We hope to see you in Flanders."
He smiled, and the young soldier, who had been taught all his life to regard him as the first of living men, bowed, overwhelmed, with tears of pleasure in his eyes.
William gave him his hand and Joost van Keppel kissed it reverently, then, at a delicate sign from Sunderland, retired, followed by the Lord Keeper.
The King sat very quiet, looking into the fire. Portland came and stood behind his chair.
"Will you go out to the war?" he asked.
"Yes," said William simply.
Sunderland darted a sideway look at Portland, who flushed.