William Bentinck stared at the door that had closed after them.
“They have gone, Highness!” he exclaimed, “and in wrath—you have destroyed your last hope.”
“They are shallow men,” returned William calmly.
He came back to the table, coughing a little.
Bentinck appeared alarmed and troubled.
“You were ill advised!—What have you done?” he cried. “What is to become of us all?”
“This is not the language of a friend,” returned the Prince, who seemed little to heed the other’s exclamations.
“The States may accept the terms,” said M. Bentinck, catching at straws.
“Not if I can prevent them.”