“I must receive you very simply, my lords,” said the Prince in English, as Count Struym withdrew. “I think that we have chairs—though little else.”
“I am sorry,” answered my lord Arlington, “to meet Your Highness again in this pass.”
“And I,” said the Duke, seating himself grandly, “am pleased to see Your Highness again under any circumstances.”
William gave him a quick look, then addressed himself to the Earl—
“This is my lord Bentinck—he is entirely in my confidence.”
The two noblemen bowed. M. Bentinck knew some English, but did not trust himself to speak it.
The Prince seated himself. He still wore his hat, that shaded his pale face and heavy brown hair.
The Duke, filling the room with perfume, splendour, and dazzlement, sat erect, his right hand on his gold cane, the hazy sunlight winking in his jewels.
William glanced keenly from one to the other.