“Why, M. le Marquis?” demanded the King haughtily.
The Minister shrugged his shoulders.
“Roman virtue, Sire—he refused to be spared any of the ills falling on his fellow-countrymen.”
“M. de Groot,” said Louis, “becomes insufferable.” He turned again to Sir Gabriel—
“My cousin is at Bodegraven?”
“At Newerbrugge, Your Majesty.”
“The English envoys intend to visit him there?”
“I believe so, Sire.”
“Well,” smiled the King, “we will hope they will be able to arrange matters with His Highness, whom I am impatient to embrace.”
“There is not much doubt of it,” added M. de Louvois.