“Your Highness dreams of resistance—a second Hannibal!”
William coloured and breathed deeply.
“I do think I might do even as he did.”
“Press not the parallel too close, Highness. This is our second Punic war, and in a week or so M. de Louvois may say—‘Delenda est Carthago.’”
“Rome fell also,” returned William, “and in a less noble fashion by her own corruption. Go carefully, my lord, that the like fate comes not on England.”
Buckingham affected to laugh.
“We get no nearer the matter.”
“I must ask for Your Highness’ final decision,” added Arlington.
William stood with his back against the table, looking from one to the other with slightly narrowed eyes.
“My lords, for what concerns me privately you have had my answer; for what concerns Their High Mightinesses—you must go to the States.”