CHAPTER XVI

GOD AND THE KING

Monsieur Heinsius sat in the little room at the Binnenhof, which had belonged to the Grand Pensionnaries of Holland ever since the Republic had been formed. The furniture and the tall clock in the corner were unchanged since the time of the great John de Witt; the window looked on the Vyverberg, where the swans were floating on the grey, shining, and placid water. It was a day in late March, the year 1702, and the clock of the Groote Kerk had just struck four.

There was a pause in M. Heinsius's strenuous work; for the moment he had nothing to do, and he was very glad of the rare leisure. He had not been in good health for some time, and to-day felt feverish and heavy in his limbs; he winced at the effort of giving instructions to his secretaries, putting up his papers, and going home, so remained, half dozing in his chair, looking at the peaceful surface of the lake, and the still bare trees, and neat brick houses beyond.

Before him, on his old black polished bureau, lay the last letter from the King-Stadtholder, which had given him great pleasure, for alarming reports had been current in The Hague as to the health of His Majesty since his accident at Hampton Court; but in this he said not one word of his illness. The last words were--"I am infinitely concerned to learn that your health is not yet quite established. May God be pleased to grant you a speedy recovery. I am unalterably your good friend, William."

True, the letter was dated the 20th of February, and had been delayed in the coming, and M. Heinsius knew that there might be other news in the packets that were held up in the North Sea by the spring storms; but he believed that the King would not so have written had he been in any danger.

Then an extraordinary thing happened to M. Heinsius. He was leaning back in his chair, weary and exhausted, his head aching with a little fever, and a kind of lassitude on his senses, when something caused him to move his head sharply and look through the open door into the next chamber, where two of his secretaries usually worked.

They were, however, now absent in the Assembly, and M. Heinsius believed himself alone in the two rooms; he was therefore surprised to see a young man standing in this outer chamber looking out at the Vyverberg and The Hague with an arrested air of intense interest.

M. Heinsius moved round in his chair, but felt no desire to speak. Both the rooms were full of early sunshine and absolutely silent. M. Heinsius observed the stranger with a sensation of vague wonder.

He was very young--little more than a boy--but of a very grave, still carriage; he wore a violet coat, a black sash, a plain sword, and a cravat of Frisian needlework; his clothes were of the fashion of thirty years ago--of the time of John de Witt.

He was very slender and slight; his hair, which was long, thick, and heavily curling, of a deep chestnut colour, fell either side a thin hawk face that M. Heinsius could only imperfectly see; he wore one jewel, and that was the colour of the Garter.

M. Heinsius neither spoke nor moved. Presently the youth turned and came towards the Grand Pensionary's cabinet, walking stiffly, and holding his hat under his arm. M. Heinsius noticed the old-fashioned rosettes on his square-toed shoes.

He came steadily through the sunlight, his glance cast thoughtfully down, and advanced to the desk before which M. Heinsius sat; he moved between the Grand Pensionary and the window, and, leaning forward, put his right hand, which was ringless and beautiful, on the letter of William of Orange.

Then he lifted a pair of eyes of singular power and of a marvellous brilliancy, and flashed a smile at M. Heinsius.

"It is finished," he said, pressing his palm on the letter. "But you will know what to do."

Then he turned and looked out of the window with wistful passion, as of one leaving something he loves, and sighed a little. After a moment he moved away, reluctantly it seemed, and went as he had come, slowly and gravely into the outer chamber, with the sunshine all about him.

M. Heinsius rose now, and turned to follow him; when he reached the door of the anteroom he found it empty....

The Grand Pensionary returned to his seat and hid his face in his hands, telling himself that he had the fever; he tried to think and argue with himself, but it was a useless effort, and he fell presently into a little sleep--or swoon--from which he only roused when he felt a touch on his shoulder, and started up to find the room dark and his secretary standing with a candle and a packet in his hand.

"From England?" murmured M. Heinsius.

"Yes, Mynheer."

The Grand Pensionary took the letter eagerly, hoping to see the writing of the King; but it was addressed in the hand of my Lord Albemarle.

"I have been exhausted unto sleep," he said. "Light me the candles--I will read this and go home."

The candles, in their pale brass sticks, illumined the dark, simple room, the black shining desk, the pale worn face of M. Heinsius, as he opened the letter from England.

It was dated at Kensington House, and this was what the Grand Pensionary read:--

"I have to offer you the saddest and most unwelcome news in the world, which indeed I am not yet able to write plainly.

"My beloved master died yesterday between seven and eight of the evening, which is a loss that we and indeed all Europe cannot be too sensible of.

"He died with the greatest courage and serenity, speaking not at all during his last days, save to thank us graciously for our services. He had no words even for the priests who came about him, which may cause some scandal here.

"I believe his thoughts to have been always on the Republic, from some short ejaculations he made, even while the prayers for the dying were being read. I think that even at the very last his sole concern was the United Provinces.

"He asked for my lord of Portland, who came; but His Majesty was past speech, yet he took my lord's hand very tenderly, and carried it up to his heart, which was then at the last beat, and died in that attitude, after but a short struggle with his breath.

"They found a locket of the late Queen's hair fastened by a black ribbon to his sword-arm.

"As he was spared nothing during his life, neither was he at his death; for the doctors say now that he must have been in great and perpetual agony, for his broken collar-bone had pierced his lungs--yet not a single murmur escaped him. His courage was of the most resplendent any man may have--for it was tried in every way.

"I cannot write a fuller account, for I am struck beyond expression by this event. You will, of course, hear of it from others.

"There is very little grief here. They talk of a statue--but when shall we see it raised? They are busy praising Queen Anne, who is the silliest creature I know--a strange people, these English; I am out of humour with them, and you will see me at The Hague very soon.

"I must tell you that the Earl of Sunderland died in retirement at Althorp a few weeks since, despised and neglected by all. But the King remained his friend to the end, and even consulted with him secretly, and he had the faithful attendance of my lady, who is as good a woman as any I ever met, and, God knows, a lonely one now.

"People here, I think, cannot realize what His Majesty did, nor the task he put through when he was in a manner dying, nor their own ingratitude. But you and I know, and England will come to enjoy the fruits of his work in the years that are coming--and in Holland he can never be forgotten, for he was the greatest of the family of the noblest and most patriotic princes whom the world hath ever seen, and while we are a people we shall revere his name.

"There is much to tell you; but I cannot write of business now, and think to see you soon.--Mynheer the Grand Pensionary, your affectionate friend, ALBEMARLE."

M. Heinsius put down the letter; he felt scarcely sad; a glorious enthusiasm stirred his heart; the room seemed all too confined for his mood; he went to the window, pushed it open, and looked out at the dark water and the dark houses beyond, where the lights were beginning to show in the windows.

Now there was no doubting the identity of the young man of his vision, nor what the words meant--

"It is finished, but you know what to do."

The Grand Pensionary knew; he held in his hands all the clues to the vast policies of his late master; he could guide the Republic though the coming great events of war as the King would have wished.

The peaceful evening fell to complete darkness; still Antoon Heinsius stood looking over The Hague. The King hath gone to give his account to God, he thought, and God will say--Not in vain did I make you my captain--not in vain.

THE END

_Printed by_ MORRISON & GIBB LIMITED, _Edinburgh_

* * * * * * * *

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FICTION

*ALBANESI, E. MARIA*

SUSANNAH AND ONE OTHER CAPRICIOUS CAROLINE LOVE AND LOUISA THE BROWN EYES OF MARY I KNOW A MAIDEN THE INVINCIBLE AMELIA THE BLUNDER OF AN INNOCENT PETER, A PARASITE THE GLAD HEART

*ANNESLEY, MAUDE*

THIS DAY'S MADNESS WIND ALONG THE WASTE SHADOW-SHAPES

*BAGOT, RICHARD*

A ROMAN MYSTERY THE PASSPORT TEMPTATION ANTHONY CUTHBERT LOVE'S PROXY DONNA DIANA CASTING OF NETS THE HOUSE OF SERRAVALLE

*BAILEY, H. C.*

STORM AND TREASURE THE LONELY QUEEN

*BALL, OONA H. (Barbara. Burke)*

BARBARA GOES TO OXFORD THEIR OXFORD YEAR

*BARING-GOULD, S.*

IN THE ROAR OF THE SEA THE QUEEN OF LOVE KITTY ALONE NOEMI THE BROOM-SQUIRE PABO THE PRIEST WINEFRED THE FROBISHERS CHRIS OF ALL SORTS

*BARR, ROBERT*

IN THE MIDST OF ALARMS THE MUTABLE MANY THE COUNTESS TEKLA

*BARRETT, WILSON*

THE SIGN OF THE CROSS THE NEVER-NEVER LAND

*BELLOC, H.*

A CHANGE IN THE CABINET

*BENNETT, ARNOLD*

CLAYHANGER THE CARD HILDA LESSWAYS

*BENSON, E. F.*

DODO

*BIRMINGHAM, G. A.*

THE BAD TIMES SPANISH GOLD THE SEARCH PARTY LALAGE'S LOVERS

*BOWEN, MARJORIE*

I WILL MAINTAIN DEFENDER OF THE FAITH GOD AND THE KING

*CAPES, BERNARD*

THE GREAT SKENE MYSTERY THE LOVE STORY OF ST. BEL WHY DID HE DO IT? CONFESSIONS OF DIANA PLEASE JAY OF ITALY A ROGUE'S TRAGEDY JEMMY ABERCRAW

*CAREY, WYMOND*

LOVE THE JUDGE

*CASTLE, AGNES and EGERTOH*

FLOWER O' THE ORANGE

*CASTLETON, ROBERT*

THE ADVENTURES OF AN ACTOR

*CONRAD, JOSEPH*

THE SECRET AGENT A SET OF SIX WESTERN EYES

*CORELLI, MARIE*

A ROMANCE OF TWO WORLDS VENDETTA THELMA ARDATH THE SOUL OF LILITH WORMWOOD BARABBAS THE SORROWS OF SATAN THE MASTER-CHRISTIAN TEMPORAL POWER GOD'S GOOD MAN HOLY ORDERS BOY THE MIGHTY ATOM CAMEOS THE LIFE EVERLASTING

*CROCKETT, S. R.*

LOCHINVAR THE STANDARD BEARER

*CROKER, B. M.*

PEGGY OF THE BARTONS A STATE SECRET ANGEL JOHANNA THE HAPPY VALLEY THE OLD CANTONMENT A NINE DAYS' WONDER KATHERINE THE ARROGANT BABES IN THE WOOD

*CROSBIE, MARY*

KINSMEN'S CLAY

*DOYLE, SIR A. CONAN*

ROUND THE RED LAMP

*DUNCAN, SARA JEANNETTE*

A VOYAGE OF CONSOLATION COUSIN CINDERELLA THE BURNT OFFERING

*ELLIOT, ROBERT*

THE IMMORTAL CHARLATAN

*FINDLATER, JANE H.*

THE GREEN GRAVES OF BALGOWRIE THE LADDER TO THE STARS

*FINDLATER, MARY*

THE ROSE OF JOY A BLIND BIRD'S NEST THE NARROW WAY OVER THE HILLS

*FITZSTEPHEN, GERALD*

GRIFFITH COLGROVE'S WIFE

*FOOTNER, HULBERT*

TWO ON THE TRAIL

*FRANCIS, H. E.*

GALATEA OF THE WHEATFIELD MARGERY O' THE MILL HARDY-ON-THE-HILL STEPPING WESTWARD

*FRASER, MRS. HUGH*

GIANNELLA

*FRY, B. and C. B.*

A MOTHER'S SON

*GERARD, DOROTHEA*

THE BRIDGE OF LIFE THE IMPROBABLE IDYL

*GERARD, LOUISE*

THE GOLDEN CENTIPEDE THE HYENA OF KALLU

*GIBBON, PERCEVAL*

MARGARET HARDING

*GISSING, GEORGE*

THE CROWN OF LIFE

*HAMILTON, COSMO*

MRS. SKEFFINGTON

*HARRADEN, BEATRICE*

IN VARYING MOODS THE SCHOLAR'S DAUGHTER HILDA STRAFFORD INTERPLAY

*HERBERTSON, A. G.*

DEBORAH

*HICHENS, ROBERT B.*

BYEWAYS TONGUES OF CONSCIENCE THE PROPHET OF BERKELEY SQUARE FELIX THE WOMAN WITH THE FAN THE GARDEN OF ALLAH THE BLACK SPANIEL THE CALL OF THE BLOOD BARBARY SHEEP THE DWELLER ON THE THRESHOLD

*HILLIERS, ASHTON*

THE MASTER GIRL

*HOLDSWORTH, ANNIE*

THE LITTLE COMPANY OF RUTH

*HOPE, ANTHONY*

A MAN OF MARK A CHANGE OF AIR THE GOD IN THE CAR THE CHRONICLES OF COUNT ANTONIO PHROSO SIMON DALE THE KING'S MIRROR QUISANTE A SERVANT OF THE PUBLIC TALES OF TWO PEOPLE THE GREAT MISS DRIVER MRS. MAXON PROTESTS

*HORNIMAN, ROY*

CAPTIVITY

*HOUGH, EMERSON*

THE WAY OF A MAN

*HUEFFER, FORD MADOX*

MR. APOLLO AN ENGLISH GIRL THE PORTRAIT

*HUTTEN, BARONESS VON*

THE HALO

*HYNE, C. J. CUTCLIFFE*

MR. HORROCKS, PURSER

*JACOBS, W. W.*

MANY CARGOES SEA URCHINS A MASTER OF CRAFT LIGHT FREIGHTS THE SKIPPER'S WOOING ODD CRAFT AT SUNWICH PORT DIALSTONE LANE THE LADY OF THE BARGE SALTHAVEN SAILORS' KNOTS SHORT CRUISES

*JAMES, HENRY*

THE FINER GRAIN THE OUTCRY

*LE QUEUX, WILLIAM*

THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW BEHIND THE THRONE THE CROOKED WAY THE CLOSED BOOK THE HUNCHBACK OF WESTMINSTER

*LINDSEY, WILLIAM*

THE SEVERED MANTLE

*LISLE, DAVID*

A PAINTER OF SOULS

*LONDON, JACK*

WHITE FANG

*LUBBOCK, B.*

DEEP SEA WARRIORS

*LUCAS, E. V.*

MR. INGLESIDE LISTENER'S LURE OVER BEMERTON'S

*LYALL, EDNA*

DERRICK VAUGHAN, NOVELIST

*MAARTENS, MAARTEN*

THE NEW RELIGION BROTHERS ALL THE PRICE OF LIS DORIS HARMEN POLS

*MCCARTHY, JUSTIN HUNTLY*

THE LADY OF LOYALTY HOUSE THE DUKE'S MOTTO

*MacNAUGHTAN, S.*

THE FORTUNE OF CHRISTINA M'NAB PETER AND JANE

*MALET, LUCAS*

THE WAGES OF SIN THE CARISSIMA THE GATELESS BARRIER A COUNSEL OF PERFECTION COLONEL ENDERBY'S WIFE SIR RICHARD CALMADY

*MANN, MARY E.*

ROSE AT HONEYPOT THE HEART SMITER AVENGING CHILDREN MEMORIES OF RONALD LOVE GRANMA'S JANE MRS. PETER HOWARD THE EGLAMORE PORTRAITS A WINTER'S TALE ONE ANOTHER'S BURDENS OLIVIA'S SUMMER PARISH OF HILBY THE PARISH NURSE ASTRAY IN ARCADY A WIDOW WOMAN

*MARSH, RICHARD*

THE GIRL AND THE MIRACLE THE COWARD BEHIND THE CURTAIN THE SURPRISING HUSBAND A ROYAL INDISCRETION LIVE MEN'S SHOES

*MARSHALL, ARCHIBALD*

MANY JUNES THE SQUIRE'S DAUGHTER THE ELDEST SON

*MASON, A. E. W.*

CLEMENTINA

*MATHERS, HELEN*

TALLY HO! THE FERRYMAN

*MAUD, CONSTANCE ELISABETH*

A DAUGHTER OF FRANCE

*MAUD, P.*

THE EXPIATION OF JOHN COURT

*MAXWELL, W. B.*

VIVIEN THE RAGGED MESSENGER THE GUARDED FLAME ODD LENGTHS THE COUNTESS OF MAYBURY HILL RISE FABULOUS FANCIES THE REST CURE

*MEADE, L. T.*

DRIFT VICTORY RESURGAM

*MERRICK, L.*

ALL THE WORLD WONDERED

*MILNE, A. A.*

THE DAY'S PLAY

*MITFORD, BERTRAM*

THE SIGN OF THE SPIDER THE RED DERELICT

*MORRISON, ARTHUR*

TALES OF MEAN STREETS A CHILD OF THE JAGO TO LONDON TOWN THE HOLE IN THE WALL DIVERS VANITIES

*NESBIT, E.*

DORMANT

*HICKLIN, CONSTANCE*

THE HOUR AND THE WOMAN

*NOBLE, EDWARD*

LORDS OF THE SEA

*NORMAN, MRS. GEORGE*

LADY FANNY DELPHINE CARFREY

*OLLIVANT, ALFRED*

OWD BOB THE TAMING OF JOHN BLUNT

*ONIONS, OLIVER*

THE EXCEPTION GOOD BOY SELDOM

*OPPENHEIM, E. PHILLIPS*

MASTER OF MEN THE MISSING DELORA

*OSBOURNE, LLOYD*

THE KINGDOMS OF THE WORLD

*OXENHAM, JOHN*

A WEAVER OF WEBS THE GATE OF THE DESERT PROFIT AND LOSS THE LONG ROAD THE SONG OF HYACINTH MY LADY OF SHADOWS LAURISTONS THE COIL OF CARNE

*PAIN, BARRY*

LINDLEY KAYS THE GIFTED FAMILY THE EXILES OF FALOO HERE AND HEREAFTER

*PARKER, GILBERT*

THE TRAIL OF THE SWORD WHEN VALMOND CAME TO PONTIAC AN ADVENTURER OF THE NORTH PIERRE AND HIS PEOPLE MRS. FALCHION THE SEATS OF THE MIGHTY THE POMP OF THE LAVILETTES THE BATTLE OF THE STRONG THE TRANSLATION OF A SAVAGE NORTHERN LIGHTS

*PATTERSON, J. E.*

WATCHERS BY THE SHORE

*PEMBERTON, MAX*

THE FOOTSTEPS OF A THRONE I CROWN THEE KING LOVE THE HARVESTER THE MYSTERY OF THE GREEN HEART

*PERRIN, ALICE*

THE CHARM

*PHILLPOTTS, EDEN*

SONS OF THE MORNING CHILDREN OF THE MIST LYING PROPHETS THE RIVER THE HUMAN BOY THE AMERICAN PRISONER THE SECRET WOMAN THE POACHER'S WIFE THE PORTREEVE THE STRIKING HOURS THE FOLK AFIELD DEMETER'S DAUGHTER

*PICKTHILL, MARMADUKE*

SAID THE FISHERMAN BRENDLE THE HOUSE OF ISLAM

*Q.*

THE MAYOR OF TROY MERRY GARDEN MAJOR VIGOUREUX

*QUERIDO, ISRAEL*

TOIL OF MEN

*RAWSON, MAUD STEPNEY*

THE ENCHANTED GARDEN THE EASY GO LUCKIES HAPPINESS SPLENDID ZIPPORAH

*RHYS, GRACE*

THE BRIDE

*RIDGE, W. PETT*

A SON OF THE STATE THE WICKHAMSES NAME OF GARLAND SPLENDID BROTHER ERB MRS. GALER'S BUSINESS NINE TO SIX-THIRTY THANKS TO SANDERSON

*ROBINS, ELIZABETH*

THE CONVERT

*RUSSELL, W. CLARK*

MY DANISH SWEETHEART HIS ISLAND PRINCESS ABANDONED

*SHEERING, HERBERT*

GOPI

*SIDGWICK, MRS. ALFRED*

THE KINSMAN THE SEVERINS THE LANTERN BEARERS ANTHEA'S GUEST

*SOMERVILLE, E. OE., & MARTIN ROSS*

DAN RUSSEL THE FOX

*STONE, LOUIS*

JONAH

*SWAYNE, MARTIN*

LORD RICHARD IN THE PANTRY

*THURSTON, E. TEMPLE*

MIRAGE

*VAN VORST, MARIE*

THE ADVENTURES OF JIMMY BULSTRODE IN AMBUSH

*WAINEMAN, PAUL*

THE WIFE OF NICHOLAS FLEMING THE SONG OF FOREST THE BAY OF LILACS

*WATSON, H. B. MARRIOTT*

A MIDSUMMER DAY'S DREAM THE PRIVATEERS A POPPY SHOW THE FLOWER OF THE HEART THE CASTLE BY THE SEA TWISTED EGLANTINE THE HIGH TOBY ALISE OF ASTRA AT A VENTURE

*WEBLING, PEGGY*

VIRGINIA PERFECT A SPIRIT OF MIRTH

*WELLS, H. G.*

THE SEA LADY

*WEYMAN, STANLEY J.*

UNDER THE RED ROBE

*WHITBY, BEATRICE*

THE RESULT OF AN ACCIDENT ROSAMUND

*WHITE, EDMUND*

THE HEART OF HINDUSTAN

*WHITE, PERCY*

THE PATIENT MAN LOVE AND THE WISE MEN THE LOST HALO

*WIGRAM, EIRENE*

THE AFFAIR OF THE ENVELOPE

*WILLIAMSON, Mrs. C. N.*

THE ADVENTURE OF PRINCESS SYLVIA PAPA THE WOMAN WHO DARED THE SEA COULD TELL THE CASTLE OF THE SHADOWS

*WILLIAMSON, C. N. and A. M.*

THE LIGHTNING CONDUCTOR THE PRINCESS PASSES MY FRIEND THE CHAUFFEUR LADY BETTY ACROSS THE WATER THE CAR OF DESTINY THE BOTOR CHAPERON SCARLET RUNNER SET IN SILVER LORD LOVELAND DISCOVERS AMERICA THE GOLDEN SILENCE

*WYLLARDE, DOLF*

THE PATHWAY OF THE PIONEER THE UNOFFICIAL HONEYMOON