“Yes, Highness—to report to you privately the resolution that will be made public to-day.”
“Will you not be seated, Mynheer?”
M. Fagel obeyed, and fixed his small, intelligent eyes keenly and half anxiously on the Prince.
The early morning sunshine was pale and misty in the chamber. William sat with his back to the light, his hat and heavy feather shading his face, so that the astute Secretary could very ill see his countenance.
“There has been a most fierce fight in the Assembly, Highness—M. de Witt exerted every nerve, and the whole power of the Government was brought to bear on the situation.”
“But I believe my friends were in the majority, Mynheer,” answered William.
“It was an almost equal struggle, Highness. M. de Witt spoke for two hours against your appointment; M. Jacob de Witt vehemently seconded him, M. Vivien supported them, and they found allies in the representatives of Amsterdam.”
William bent his whip across his knee; the powerful city had always been the enemy of his House.
M. Fagel wiped his brow and his lips; he had been up all night, and looked excited and fatigued.
“What was the result of this debate?” asked the Prince quietly.