"It is the affairs of King James," returned the Frenchman, with some grandeur, "that my master is interested in——"
"How doth that touch the States?"
"It toucheth Your Highness, for we believe that you make preparations to lead an armament against His Britannic Majesty."
William lowered his eyes almost disdainfully.
"I perceive," he said, "that you do get your information from the gazettes after all——"
"No," answered M. D'Avaux softly. "I will tell Your Highness where I get my information. You know of one Verace, of Geneva?"
The Prince's whip still stirred leisurely among the daisies.
"He was steward once to the Princess and dismissed."
"As early as August, Monseigneur, this Verace wrote to M. Skelton giving information of the intrigues of Your Highness, the Princess, and M. Bentinck."
He watched the effect of his shaft, but the Prince was unmoved.