“The country is lost—half conquered, wholly despaired of. Nothing will soften King Louis’ demands—you must see it.”
William turned towards the room and seated himself in the chintz-cushioned chair by the yellow-glazed hearth.
“And if I pitted myself against Louis?” he queried.
“It would be——”
“As if a child should set itself to stem a river with its unaided hands?” finished William grimly.
M. Bentinck shrugged his shoulders—
“It would be an impossibility—there is no one in Europe to stand against Louis——”
“One might arise.”
“England is his ally—the Empire afraid—the rest of Europe overawed——”