“Buat was a fool,” returned St. Croix; “and we do not want any knight-errantry from you—one of M. de Witt’s secretaries cannot fail to be useful—you will see how.”
“Yes, I see how,” answered Florent; “but at present M. de Witt represents the Government and the law, and the Prince is a powerless cipher——”
“Not so powerless; we are in touch with him, he commands a section of the nobles—and he has the name.”
Florent, hearing again the words used by Sir William Temple, started inwardly. It was curious that the name that owed its prestige and its weight to the fact that it was the name of the man who had first given Holland her liberty was to be used now to aid in her downfall.
“He is a boy,” said Van Mander quickly. “He has been brought up by M. de Witt—educated as a republican——”
St. Croix smiled.
“Is M. de Witt clever enough to train a prince into a commoner? I do not think so.”
Interest shone in Florent’s grey eyes.
“How far has the Prince gone—with France?”
“He is of an extraordinary caution—he will not commit himself while he is in the power of M. de Witt, but take it from me that he does not love him.… Has he cause to?—after the Act of Exclusion?… His only hope lies in England and France, and he knows it.”