“There is to be a council meeting to-night——”
“And a review afterwards—we must hearten the men.”
“You do too much, Highness.”
“That is impossible; I should do more—I wish I had your strength,” he added suddenly.
This was a matter he seldom spoke of, and M. Bentinck was abashed.
“A gift I share with every common soldier,” he answered.
“They are to be envied,” said William, rather grimly.
He had regained his composure of manner and his control, but he looked tired and sick to swooning point. M. Bentinck could not bear to hear him cough.
“Will you see if you can get better lamps for to-night,” he said. “The fumes of these choke me.”
He pressed M. Bentinck’s hand affectionately, took up M. Fagel’s letter and, lifting the curtain, entered the inner part of the tent.