“Your Highness has heard of the fall of Nymwegen?”
“Yes, my lord,” answered William composedly, “but we have not the losses of the campaign under discussion—but the exorbitance of the demands of France.”
“The second is the result of the first, Highness—the King of France is in a position to make these demands.”
“And we,” returned the Prince, “are in a condition to refuse them.”
“Your Highness speaks confidently.”
“I would not have my words bolder than my actions—I am prepared to stand by what I say.”
Buckingham answered—
“Sir, what terms do you object to?”
William fixed his eyes on him.
“My lord, to all of them.… M. de Groot offered the King of France Maestricht and the towns on the border, such as Breda, Bergen-op-Zoom, and Hertogenbosch—and in this I think he exceeded his commission.”