uses: kings are
suspicious, and subjects may be too rich and too powerful. There are
many paupers among the favourites of his majesty, who would be very glad
to see your property confiscated, and you cast into prison."

"But, my dear sir--"

"You forget also that the Jacobites are plotting, and have been plotting
for years; that conspiracy is formed upon conspiracy, that when so
surrounded and opposed, that kings will be suspicious."

"But his majesty King William--"

"Firmly attached, and loyal as I am to my sovereign, Mynheer Krause, I
do not think that King William is more to be relied upon than King
James. Kings are but kings: they will repay the most important services
by smiles, and the least doubtful act with the gibbet. I agree with you
that some one must have maligned you; but allow me to make a remark,
that if once suspicion or dislike enters into a royal breast, there is
no effacing it; a complete verdict of innocence will not do it; it is
like the sapping of one of the dams of this country, Mynheer Krause--the
admission of water is but small at first, but it increases and
increases, till it ends in a general inundation."

"But I must demand an audience of his majesty, and explain."

"Explain--the very attempt will be considered as a proof of your guilt;
no, no, as a sincere friend I should advise you to be quiet, and to take
such steps as the case requires. That frown, that treatment of you in
public, is sufficient to tell me that you must prepare for the event.
Can you expect a king to publicly retract?"

"Retract! no--I do not require a public apology from my sovereign."

"But if, having frowned upon you publicly, he again smiles upon you
publicly, he does retract. He acknowledges that he was in error, and it
becomes a public apology."

"God in heaven! then I am lost," replied the syndic, throwing himself
back in his chair. "Do you really think so, Mynheer Ramsay?"

"I do not say that you are lost. At present, you have only lost the
favour of the king; but you can do without that, Mynheer Krause."

"Do without that!--but you do not know that without that I am lost. Am
I not syndic of this town of Amsterdam, and can I expect to hold such an
important situation if I am out of favour?"

"Very true, Mynheer Krause; but what can be done? you are assailed in
the dark; you do not know the charges brought against you, and therefore
cannot refute or parry them."

"But what charges can they br