“You must see,” added M. Fagel, “that this does not improve your credit with the people.”
John de Witt raised his tired eyes.
“I do not know, Mynheer,” he said quietly, “why you have come to tell me all this.”
Gaspard Fagel rose restlessly.
On a table near by was a white china pot full of tulips; he stopped beside this and stared into the flame-coloured cups, where the dusty, black pistils showed.
“I should advise you to leave the Hague,” he said.
“I cannot leave my post,” answered the Grand Pensionary.
“Your illness is a fair excuse.”
John de Witt shook his head.
“The country still needs me,” he said. “In a few days I hope to be again in the Assembly.”