“They advised me to consult some one that I had trust in.”
“You have spoken to M. Beuningen? My faith!” exclaimed M. Bentinck, “there is little to consult about.”
For a moment William was silent; then he said, looking out of the window—
“M. Fagel writes to me that I alone keep the people from despair.… My name, Bentinck.”
“They begin to repent their ingratitude, Highness.”
“The country is without a head since the illness of M. de Witt … if they should turn to me——”
“I think they may——”
“—and offer me the Stadtholdership——”
“Now that it is worthless.”
“Not worthless,” said William.