“His Majesty is your very good friend, Highness.”
The Prince kept his eyes lowered, his head slightly turned from her scrutiny.
The Duchess continued—
“If the King willed your restoration, Prince, he could accomplish it.”
William answered calmly—
“Sometimes M. de Witt talks to me of politics, Madame—and from him I learn that the King of France is not friendly towards the United Provinces.”
“Not towards them or M. de Witt,” she answered swiftly, “but towards you—does not Your Highness understand?”
William looked up now.
“Scarcely, Madame.”
She was spurred to go further than ever de Pomponne had ventured.