Madame Lavalette was one, M. de Pomponne and Hyacinthe St. Croix the others; St. Croix, looking up, recognised Florent, and nodded in a meaning way.
Van Mander frowned and coloured. When they were clear of the castle, and its dazzle of pomp and soldiery, he turned abruptly to Sir Gabriel—
“What does it mean, Mynheer?”
Gabriel Sylvius answered composedly—
“It means I can tell His Highness not to concern himself about the terms offered to M. de Groot, for His Majesty is entirely friendly and will do more for the Prince than the States could ever do.”
“Which is to say, His Highness will change his religion?” said Florent gloomily.
Sir Gabriel smiled.
“We must not commit ourselves as to that, but it is possible that in a little while the theology of Geneva will be extremely unfashionable.”