“Mynheer Hallingh,” he said to the burgomaster, “I acknowledge my reception—but what object do I serve by entering your town hall?”
The burgomaster bowed very low, for the eyes of thousands were on him.
“We hope Your Highness may do us the extreme favour of taking a seat in our council.”
“To what end, Mynheer?” asked William steadily.
M. Beveren answered, with his eye on the expectant crowd—
“Has Your Highness any proposal to make us?”
The Prince saw clearly by this that they hoped to delude the people by an outward show of deference, managing that the Prince should return without any further concession to their revolutionary wishes.
On William’s part it was not his desire to put himself at the head of a mob, and neither his nature nor his policy to encourage sedition. He was as prudent as the councillors, and as resolute not to commit himself to their intention that if there must be a revolution it should be laid to him.
At the same time he was angry that they should send for him merely to fool the people of Dordt.