"Sir, he gave back the charter to the city with due solemnity, and their privileges to the fellows of Oxford and Cambridge, and there was held an inquiry into the birth of the Prince of Wales—all of which but wasted the dignity of His Majesty and brought more ridicule than respect—for all are equally eager for Your Highness, and these concessions come too late." "Too late, indeed," said William quietly. "I hope this week to be in England. How came you across, Madam? I have stopped the packet service lest they carry too sure advices of what we do here——" Lady Sunderland smiled sadly. "In a little owler, sir, we slipped off from Margate sands, and the weather was so terrible we were like to have been whelmed by the overtopping waves; yet we gained Maaslandsluys, and from there my lord went on to Amsterdam——" "He was wise," said the Prince, "not to come to The Hague." Lady Sunderland looked at Mary, who had stood motionless so long. "Your Highness—may I not retire? I have taken too much of your time——" The Princess turned about with a little start. "Where are you lodging?" she asked. "With one Madame de Marsac—known, I think, to Your Highness——" "You must stay with me," answered Mary warmly, yet with a curious absent air of distraction. "I will take you to the other English ladies——" She looked at her husband. "I shall come back," she said. He gave a little nod which cut short the graceful gratitude of the Countess, and the two ladies left. Now he was alone he seated himself near to the fire with that air of utter fatigue that was like apathy and seemed at times, when he was out of the sight of men, to overwhelm his great spirit. He sat quite still, gazing into the fire from under drooping lids, and when Mary softly returned he did not move. She slipped behind his chair and took the stool the opposite side of the hearth; she had put off her cloak; the firelight touched her brown dress and brown hair to a beautiful ruby warmth and gave a false rosiness to her pale face. "I am grieved for Lady Sunderland," she said. The Prince answered absently. "Ah yes—I believe she is a knave like him—but they are clever, and he at least hath some root of patriotism in him." "Yet I am sorry that you must use such people." He made no reply, but continued to gaze sadly and sternly into the fire. Mary gave a little shudder. "I cannot believe that to-morrow we go to Helvoetsluys——" Her voice broke, and she steadied it hastily. "The States are coming also, are they not, to see your departure?" "They are paying me that compliment," he answered indifferently. "What chance will your poor wife have to speak to you then—amid that pomp——" He sat up and looked at her with instant attention. "Have you something that you wish to say to me, Marie?" "Yes," she said earnestly. "I do desire to ask you—for your own sake—to see that no harm happeneth to—my father."