“No concessions,” said the Ruard, “no concessions. His party become incredibly bold; we have been driven to order out the train-bands at Dordt to check the mob.”
“It is a marvellous thing that they should clamour for him,” mused John de Witt, turning his dark, sad eyes on his brother. “What can they know of him that they should love him so?”
“The base crowd care not about his qualities,” replied the Ruard, “they but seek an excuse for disorder and lawlessness. Did you hear Vivien in the Assembly to-day?”
“No.”
Cornelius de Witt laughed angrily.
“He was cutting a book with a steel knife. I, sitting next him, asked what he was about. ‘Trying the effect of steel on parchment,’ he said—meaning that once there was a sword in the Prince of Orange’s hand there would be an end of the Perpetual Edict.”
John de Witt was silent, and his brother rose.
“If I am to return to Dordt to-night I must take my leave.”
The Grand Pensionary roused himself from absorbed thoughts; he asked after his brother’s wife and his own children.
“Do you see them often?”