Florent bowed very low.
“You are both very welcome to Zeyst,” said Louis. “M. de Louvois,” and he looked at the other seated at the table, “advertised us of your coming, and, pressed as we are with great affairs, we were very pleased to grant you an audience.”
He had an air of great and distant dignity, but he made it plain that he wished to be gracious.
Sir Gabriel, in no way discomposed, bowed again.
“Sire, I am no accredited ambassador but the private agent of the Prince, as Your Majesty knows, and the first object of my mission was to the commissioners of His Majesty King Charles, but I received instructions from His Highness to wait on you, to tender you his duty, and to ask Your Majesty if you would be pleased to enlighten him, not as a subject of the United Provinces, but as a member of Your Majesty’s House, what terms Your Majesty desires from the United Provinces?”
The King seemed pleased with this speech. M. de Louvois looked up sharply from his map.
Monmouth and the gentleman from behind Louis’ chair had withdrawn together to a window embrasure, as if business was small matter to either of them.
“My cousin sends to us as a private person?” asked the King.
“As affairs stand, Sire, His Highness is no more.”