“No? There is little need—as you say. What have I to do with the government of the United Provinces?—I asked your influence in the matter of the Captain Generalship——”
The Grand Pensionary interrupted haughtily—
“Prince, I can no longer discuss that subject; under no conditions will I be party to giving you this position. You must serve before you can command; know something of war before you can be put over men like Wurtz and Prince John Maurice, Montbas and the Prince of Tarentum.”
William answered, keeping his glance upon the papers scattered over his desk—
“I know enough to tell you, Mynheer, that if you do not strengthen the frontier the French will cross the Rhine—and once the Rhine is crossed, Utrecht falls … and half the Republic is lost.”
“You speak as if judging me remiss in my duty to the State.”
“I speak from my conviction, Mynheer.”
“It hath not been wholly in my hands,” answered John de Witt, with a stately control. “What hath been done hath been done by much reflection and varied advice. How would Your Highness have it different?”
“It were very idle to talk of what I cannot perform,” said William. “Put me in command of the Army and I will show you what I will do.”
The Grand Pensionary rose with a glimmer of red and gold.