“It is M. Gabriel Sylvius,” said M. Bentinck, “who is arrived—having pressed on, without stopping, from the Hague.”

“Ah!” said the Prince quickly; then, “I expected him sooner.”

“He was delayed.”

“Delayed?”

The Prince frowned a little.

“On the sea, he says.”

William still looked stern.

“They were fifteen hours in Calais Roads.”

“Why,” the Prince admitted, “that was a misfortune beyond the help of Gabriel Sylvius.”