Sir Edward bowed.
“I may remind Your Highness that you stand in a desperate—almost a hopeless—position.”
The Prince answered proudly—
“I am not by nature timorous, Sir Edward, and do not fear to have to fight for liberty.”
“Have you well considered——”
William interrupted—
“Sir, I would rather spend the rest of my life hunting on one of my German estates than sell my country for any price that could be offered.”
Sir Edward was not as Buckingham, nor even as Arlington; he bowed again, this time with an air of respect.
Every one was silent, holding himself with reserve.
The slanting ray of sun that fell through the open lattice window, laden with the scent of the roses and sweet-peas, seemed incongruous with this contained and grave assembly.