CHAPTER VI
THE RESTORATION
M. Gaspard Fagel, excited, rather better dressed than usual, with an orange ribbon in his button-hole, arrived early in the afternoon at the Grand Pensionary’s house in the Kneuterdyk Avenue.
He found M. de Witt seated languidly at the open window of his library, wearing a loose Japanese robe and gazing out at the sunny garden and the doves in the trees.
On the chair beside him lay an open portfolio of sketches.
“You are recovered, Mynheer?” asked M. Fagel, with some embarrassment.
The Grand Pensionary smiled sadly.
“I hope to be able to resume my duties very soon.”
He roused himself and sat up.
“Be seated,” he said. “Will you move those drawings—they are M. Van der Welde’s sketches of Solebay battle, made from his galiot—His Highness is fond of pictures, he had best commission the paintings.”
It was said gently, without a trace of bitterness.