“What will the Prince do with his power?”
“One cannot tell. Frankly, he makes no confidant of me or any; it is thought he will break off the negotiations with King Louis. He still hopes to detach the English.”
“Yet could not come to terms with them at Newerbrugge——”
“It is not known what passed there. M. Beuningen thinks they made him secret offers and that he refused them—at least, he is hot against M. de Groot. Some say he will be arrested on the ground of having exceeded his commission. M. de Montbas’ action has not helped his case.”
“What hath M. de Montbas done?” demanded John de Witt.
“Joined the French,” returned Gaspard Fagel laconically.
“M. de Montbas—has deserted to the French?” exclaimed John de Witt.
“He was, you know, a prisoner, arrested for gross failure in duty, and when he saw the Prince was resolved on his life, he became desperate and, contriving to escape, fled to the enemy. King Louis will forgive him, doubtless, for the information he is able to supply now.”
The Grand Pensionary was silent.