WILLIAM THE THIRD.

73

body withdraw. I come to tell Your Majesty that, when- chap.ever it shall please God to take you from us, I will be to 1 n oi.your son what I have been to you, and will acknowledgehim as King of England, Scotland and Ireland.” TheEnglish exiles who were standing round the couch fell ontheir knees. Some burst into tears. Some poured forthpraises and blessings with clamour such as was scarcelybecoming in such a place and at such a time. Some in-distinct murmurs which James uttered, and which weredrowned by the noisy gratitude of his attendants, wereinterpreted to mean thanks. But from the most trust-worthy accounts it appears that he was insensible to allthat was passing around him. *

As soon as Lewis was again at Marli, he repeated tothe Court assembled there the announcement which hehad made at Saint Germains. The whole circle brokeforth into exclamations of delight and admiration. Whatpiety! What humanity! What magnanimity! Nor wasthis enthusiasm altogether feigned. For, in the estima-tion of the greater part of that brilliant crowd, nationswere nothing and princes everything. What could bemore generous, more amiable, than to protect an innocentboy, who was kept out of his rightful inheritance by anambitious kinsman? The fine gentlemen and fine ladieswho talked thus forgot that, besides the innocent boy and

* By the most trustworthy accounts I mean those of St. Simon andDangeau. The reader may compare their narratives with the Life ofJames.