She made confused protest, but he left her without further ceremony.
In the antechamber the Prince met the Grand Pensionary, his leave-taking was brief; M. de Witt received it coldly.
“The ball was in honour of my cousin, I should have been pleased if Your Highness could have danced with her——”
“Mynheer, I was in no mood for gaiety.”
M. de Witt, too proud to remind him that he had danced with Madame Lavalette, made no answer, and the Prince left the Binnenhof with an aristocratic slowness and an air of sombrely contained haughtiness.
Gaily the music rose over the splendid company. Mingled with it was the sound of laughter, the swish of silks.
The Grand Pensionary of the United Provinces was standing apart from the dancers.
Madame de Lavalette passed him with a deep courtesy.
“Old—the spy of Louis and stale at the game.…”