“I think the position you might assume would be dangerous.”
William lifted suddenly smiling eyes.
“Were not my hopes of dominion effectually foiled by the Perpetual Edict, Mynheer, that you needed other laws to strengthen your power?”
“Not my power,” replied M. de Witt, “but the safety of the Republic.”
William pushed back the hair from his low forehead.
“Ah, you credit me with ambitions—am I not sufficiently helpless? Do you think I should intrigue for the mastery of the Seven Provinces, I—who am heir to nothing?” He gave a little smile, half bitter. “You need not have taken these precautions, M. de Witt.”
“Of what does Your Highness complain?” asked the Grand Pensionary.
William answered with a flash of repressed feeling—
“Their High Mightinesses engaged to give me the Captain Generalship when I came of age … and it has been placed in the hands of M. de Montbas.”
“You are not yet of age, Highness—youth and inexperience must wait and learn. M. de Montbas is a good soldier, and the States have confidence in him.”