John de Witt read and re-read the letter. It was cold, reserved he thought, well turned as was all the Prince indicted; as friendly, perhaps, as he could have expected.… It meant, possibly, that the Prince refused him all protection, but he could not hesitate at scruples of pride now.
He must appeal to the one man who could save his brother.
He took his hat, his cane, and mantle, and left the house, alone. His always modest establishment was already reduced to two servants and one clerk.
He was now merely a private citizen, and had neither means nor occupation for more.
Calling this one clerk, Van Ouvenaller, to him before he left, de Witt gave him a letter of hope and comfort for Maria de Witt, Cornelius’ wife, bidding him see that it caught the post for Dordt.
Once in the streets he pulled his hat over his eyes to avoid the hostile recognition of the crowd thronging the streets to give a reception to the Prince, who had just left the Assembly and was returning to the Marithuis.
John de Witt mingled with the others who filled the Stadtholder’s chambers, and waited, with them, at the head of the fine double staircase.
The sound of cheers and shouts, that seemed as if they would never cease, was borne from without as the Prince entered the Palace.
He came slowly up the stairs, accompanied by a press of people carrying their hats in their hands.