“Think no more of your country, for it no longer exists—do you not see that it is lost? If it survive this campaign it will be a miracle—do you not see that it is lost? There is nothing before you but despair; you must see your country conquered.” And again he repeated, “Do you not see that it is lost?”
William’s calm changed into a passionate emotion.
He answered with an air of exaltation; he was so lifted up, he cared little for any of them—
“My lord, I indeed see that the country is in great danger; but there is one way never to see it lost—and that is to die in the last ditch.”
There was a little pause. Arlington glanced at Buckingham, and after a second the Duke answered—
“Very well, Sir, in a short while you will regret this.… I am sorry you are so intractable.”
“We shall have a different reception at Zeyst,” added the Earl. “I must warn Your Highness that we shall there conclude a closer union between England and France.”
“The rearrangement of the terms is between you and the States,” replied the Prince. “As to what touches me—I have answered.”
He moved away towards the hearth, averting his face from them.
The envoys bowed coldly and withdrew, both angry, and Buckingham, at least, his enemy.