He was not the only one to observe them. The Princess marked with satisfaction, and M. de Witt with uneasiness, the Prince’s partner for the minuet.
Happily la Lavalette was below the middle height, and William tall for his age, so she was able to rest lightly on his arm and look up to him with blue, languishing eyes that held a very flattering deference.
M. de Pomponne turned away to hide his smile; M. de Witt looked on sternly.
The Duchess glanced at the paintings round the ceiling.
“Your Highness likes history?” she asked. “You like to read it?”
“I would prefer to make it, Madame.”
She looked at him quickly.
“Your House has made it, Prince.”
He smiled.
“Madame, it is through my House that we are here now,—it is through my ancestors, and by what they have done, that the United Provinces are a kingdom.”