"Bring His Highness to see us soon, my lord," he said to Marlborough; "and see he learns no lackey's tricks such as the vulgar one of speaking scornfully of your masters in your masters' houses, which faults, like the vile treasons of mean men, are beneath us to punish; but we would not have the child ape these manners."
Marlborough's serene face slightly flushed; he could not, for all his self-command, answer; he bowed very low under the King's straight gaze.
"You will not forget the soldiers, sir?" cried the little Duke anxiously.
"On my honour, no," answered William. "Tell Her Highness I shall soon wait on her."
He bent and kissed the smooth auburn head and then the upturned, grateful, earnest little face.
My lord left with his charge, and Torrington was soon after dismissed; the King remained in the window-seat. After awhile came my Lords Devonshire, Somers, and Dorset, straight from Westminster, looking very gloomy about this business of the breaking of the troops, and after them Lord Ranelagh, back with his answer from the Commons.
The King came forward a step to meet him, and Ranelagh, felt the blood leave his own face as he saw the look that sprang into William's haggard eyes.
He stood silent, and the other lords glanced at each other furtively.
The King put his hand to his heart.
"Why"—he looked round the distressed faces—"why—they have not—refused?"