“King Charles railed against the States and M. de Witt—he declared he had always your advancement at heart and would never forget your father’s goodness to him when he was in exile at the Hague.… Much more, very pleasant, but without definite point.”
“Did you see any beside the King?”
“Some few I managed to sound, Highness. But since the Ambassador of the States had been asked to leave, and the French were very jealous, I had to be private—all but the Court party are against the war.”
“And the Parliament?”
“They would bring great pressure on the King to make peace.”
“Have they not that power, with the grants?”
“The King is subsidised by France—and by many of the courtiers.”
William narrowed his eyes.
“And the people?”
“Are fiercely in favour of peace—they hate the French and look on the war as a scandal.”