“They could have waited till the morning,” answered William fretfully.
“One is from M. de Witt.”
“Still, it could have stayed. Ye need not have roused me for a message from M. de Witt.”
“Another is from the Princess Dowager.”
The Prince pushed the heavy hair back from his forehead.
“She is a silly old woman,” he declared, “and a letter from her does not interest me at all.”
Mr. Bromley, who had an unconfessed liking for the Princess, ventured to answer—
“Her Highness hath been under great anxiety as to your safety, Sir.”
“Oh, pshaw!” returned William. “She hath made her peace with the Republic by now. Who suggested waking me?”
“M. Van Odyk, Highness; he is coming up. He thought you would wish to consider these letters at once.”