It was finished at last, amid yells of joy, and one after another the magistrates hastened to sign.
No one dared hesitate with a loaded blunderbuss at his head.
The only protest came from the Prince himself.
He rose.
The crowd instantly hushed.
He addressed equally the burgomaster, the councillors, and the citizens pressing round the table.
“Mynheeren,” he said, “I am very sensible of the honour that you do me, but I have taken an oath—as Captain General—never to attempt the Stadtholdership.”
The magistrates paused, astonished; but the people were not in the least confounded.
“Your Highness took no oath to refuse the office if offered to you?”
“I took an oath,” replied William, “nor can I lightly break it.”