“Your Highness must explain yourself.”
“Briefly, I do not trust them.”
“They were both nominated by me, Highness.”
“I know, Mynheer.”
John de Witt drew back a little from the table, and stood looking down at the Prince with an almost incredulous expression.
He would not have believed that William would have the audacity to take exception to the only two officers of republican sympathies on his Staff.
“They are also my friends, Highness,” he continued with some haughtiness.
“I know that, Mynheer,” said the Prince; “but you are not, I think, of such a paltry nature as to indulge private feelings at the expense of the welfare of the State.”
The tone in which William repeated these words he had used brought the colour into M. de Witt’s face.
“Both these soldiers, Highness, are men whom the country should be proud of—they have my entire trust and confidence.”