“Yes,” answered M. Fagel; “and I will make sure, Mynheer, that you are not opposed.”
John de Witt took up his letters. He had obtained what he came for; his force and sincerity, aided by the letters from the camp, had turned an opponent into an ally.
M. Fagel accompanied him to the door, then returning to the dining-room opened the shutters on the grey and stormy dawn.
The Assembly met at seven.
He glanced at the clock, and walked up and down with hasty steps, biting his forefinger. He knew that nothing would reconcile William to the offers of peace, and he knew that he would be blamed for ever consenting to aid John de Witt even passively.
He himself would have liked to throw defiance at the French, but the Grand Pensionary had overruled him.…
The French over the Rhine.…
He trembled for his country.…
All the same he must justify himself to the Prince, whose party he represented. He must write to the camp.