A long minute’s stillness followed. Then Sir Edward Seymour spoke.
“I do not trespass on my duty if I say that I admire the temper that Your Highness shows; I should be pleased to be as fortunate as King Louis, but better pleased to be as courageous as Your Highness.”
“Thank you, my lord,” answered William. “I hope that we may meet again under fairer conditions.”
He held out his hand and Sir Edward kissed it, bowed, very courtly, and withdrew, followed by M. St. Jermyn, his suite, and the Dutch nobles who formed his escort.
The Stadtholder, coughing, turned to the mantelpiece and put his hand over his aching eyes.
“Bentinck, I must return to the Hague—at once.”
“With these dispatches?”
“Yes—the States must assemble——”
M. Zuylestein stepped forward—
“This assassination plot——”