"You will deliver the message," interrupted William grimly; "but you will not open the eyes of His Majesty until I bid you." The Irishman clutched his hand on his breast, with a contortion of terror and despair on his face. He had been playing fast and loose between France and Holland so long that he scarcely knew how far he had betrayed one to the other, only that of late he had kept the greater faith with the Prince, who terrorized him, as did all the English envoys, except those he won by friendship, such as Temple and Sidney. M. D’Albeville was now convinced that, in view of the coming French action, the Prince could not succeed, and he wished fervently that he was before James or Louis that he might gain a good price by telling what he knew of William’s plans. He already regretted having come before His Highness, yet he had not dared act without warning him, and had been in some hopes of persuading him of his own faith and use. Disappointed in this, he groaned aloud, began a feeble sentence that died on his lips, and cast a furtive glance for a way of escape. This did not fail of notice by the Prince. "Bentinck," he said, "look to the door." That nobleman stepped quietly in front of it, and the wretched Ambassador shrilled a protest. "Doth Your Highness intend violence?" "I intend to make use of you, Monsieur!" cried the Prince. "We are men in earnest. Do you think that we should allow you to in any way incommode us?" "It will be Tower Hill for me!" cried M. D’Albeville. "I dare keep silent no longer—if my Lord President goeth, what protection have I got?" "M. de Sunderland shall not go until I have sailed from Helvoetsluys," said William. "How much hath M. D’Avaux promised you for telling everything to the Court of St. James?" M. D’Albeville shrugged, but obviously brightened as the talk changed to money. "You are quite mistaken, Your Highness——" "How much was it?" interrupted William. "Naturally, if I could help M. D’Avaux—I should expect some consideration for the trouble——" The Prince for a moment took his great eyes from the Irishman and addressed a rapid sentence in Dutch to M. Dyckfelt, who at once went to the Chinese bureau at the side of the fireplace and unlocked a drawer. "I must deliver the message to the States," said M. D’Albeville, between cringing and defiance. He was really afraid of what might have happened in England—Sunderland might be in disgrace, and the whole intrigue discovered by James, for all he knew. "It is my wish that you should," answered William. "It will come very pat with M. D’Avaux _his_ message." M. Dyckfelt put on the table a gold standish, a sheet of paper, and a casket, which last the Prince kept before himself.