“No—no!” Some agitation showed in his voice. “I would not dishonour myself with such unworthy thoughts, but there is too much at stake.”
“There is everything at stake,” said the Prince. “The very existence of the United Provinces is at stake.”
“You are too young to have this tremendous responsibility—too inexperienced——”
“The Stadtholder Maurice was only eighteen when he took command of the Army,” flashed the Prince.
“You quote an unhappy example, Highness. Prince Maurice took advantage of his position to become the tyrant of the people.”
William looked at him under lowered lids.
“You speak as the admirer of John Van Olden Barnenveldt,” he said slowly.
It was a bold and dangerous allusion, since the Grand Pensionary Barnenveldt had perished on the scaffold for his opposition to the power of the Stadtholder Maurice.
“I do.” John de Witt’s voice was cold.
“And as an enemy of my House.”