The Congress of Delft had just clothed him with almost regal authority.

In his hands were the powers of war and peace, joint control of the magistracies and courts of justice, absolute supremacy over the army and the fleets.

It is true that these attributes had been conferred upon him ad interim, but it depended only upon himself to make the sovereignty personal and permanent.

He was so thoroughly absorbed in his work, however, that he did not even see the diadem which he put aside.

It was small matter to him whether they called him stadholder or guardian, prince or king.