William coughed.
“I will do what I can … at least, they shall not take his life.… But if they banish him, you must not blame me.”
“I know there is an astonishing fury against us.… Banishment! I have lived here twenty years, but all now has changed; with Cornelius I will gladly go into banishment, if it must be.”
The Stadtholder’s large eyes rested on him gravely.
“Mynheer, as I can judge the temper of the people, you are scarcely safe at the Hague. I would advise you leave it soon—to-morrow, you—and M. Cornelius de Witt.”
“My noble lord,” said John de Witt proudly, “you know me guiltless of these charges laid to me?”
“My letter told you so.”
“It was not warm in my defence.”
The Stadtholder answered straightly—
“I think you made mistakes, I told you so when our positions were reversed. I think the defences of the country shamefully neglected—your peace policy fatal—your embassy to Louis calculated to give colour to vile reports; but I know you, Mynheer, for an honourable man.”