"Your Highness will require a vast deal of money."
"Yes," said the Prince dryly; "but I believe that it can be raised.'
"In England?" inquired M. Dyckfelt.
"—and among the French refugees here—and from my own fortune, Mynheer, which hath ever exceeded my wants—also, Mynheer, I hope the States will help."
"How great a sum would it be, Highness?"
William, who had the whole project already clear in his head, and had made careful calculations as to the cost, answered at once.
"About three hundred thousand pounds."
M. Fagel was silent. His secret thought was, that to raise this money, overcome all opposition, and complete every preparation by the autumn was impossible.
The Prince was quick to divine his doubt.
"You think I cannot do it?" he asked, with that breathlessness that was a sign of his rare excitement.