“Your Highness, we do.”
“Well?” demanded the Prince.
He knew these men for conspirators against the Government and that the youth who spoke was Jacob van der Graef, the author of Advice to every Faithful Hollander, the pamphlet said to have stung John de Witt the most among the many violent attacks made on him.
He knew also that they were Orangists whose enthusiasm was as genuine as it was unbalanced and foolishly directed.
Knowing and recalling this he deigned to stop and listen.
“Highness,” said Jacob van der Graef, adoration in his face, “we are loyal subjects of yours——”
“Ah,” William caught him up. “You, the son of a magistrate, Mynheer van der Graef—venture to say that!”
“We would venture more,” returned one of the others, Van Bruyn, a lawyer.
“Take care, my friends,” said the Prince; but the expression of his eyes rewarded them.
“Prince,” said Van der Graef in a low, excited voice, “we would die for you—any one of us, and there are others—M. de Witt treats you vilely, he is a traitor to his country … while he lives Your Highness will never come to your rights. The United Provinces will not much longer bear his yoke.”