“I think M. de Witt does his duty very well,” he answered, “but I am not a republican to second him in it. By what right does he think to bend me into a tool to aid him in his usurped dominion?”
The Princess’ eyes followed her grandson’s gaze.
“It was this spirit in your father cost our House its heritage,” she said, half fearfully.
“It was M. de Witt!” William’s eyes gleamed fiercely, “His plebeian insolence!… It becomes very difficult for me to contain myself.… My father had his father jailed—into Loevenstein; I would I had him there—and his stiff brother too——”
Amalia of Solms made a startled movement.
“Hush! we must wait before we can speak in such fashion.”
“I have been waiting all my life,” returned William bitterly.
“You are young enough, you can afford to bide your time.”
The Prince gave her a strange, half sad look.
“Can I so afford to wait, Madame? There is very much for me to do … perhaps not many years in which to do it.”