The King turned his indifferent gaze on Romney and Wharton, who were arguing together.
"Discussing a Republic for England, my lords?" he asked.
"Something of the kind, sir," said Wharton.
"Well, I will disappoint you yet," answered William. "I will bring King James's son over on you and give you another Stewart king——"
"Why, that is as Your Majesty pleaseth," replied Wharton impudently.
"Or there is Tom of Pembroke," continued William; "there is a good block of wood out of which to chip a king!"
Pembroke raised a heated face at this mention of his name.
"Sir," he cried, leaning down the table towards the King, "my Lord Albemarle telleth me that I was insolent last night."
"So you were—damned insolent," said the King, in his quiet, tired, unmoved voice.
"I could not have been in my senses," said Pembroke, in a slightly maudlin tone.