WILLIAM AND .MARY.

343

is no hope,” he cried. “I was the happiest man on earth; andI am the most miserable. She had no fault; none: you knewher well: but you could not know, nobody but myself couldknow, her goodness.” Tenison undertook to tell her that shewas dying. He was afraid that such a communication, abruptlymade, might agitate her violently, and began with much ma-nagement. But she soon caught his meaning, and, with thatgentle womanly courage which so often puts our bravery toshame, submitted herself to the will of God. She called for asmall cabinet in which her most important papers were lockedup, gave orders that, as soon as she was no more, it should bedelivered to the King, and then dismissed worldly cares fromher mind. She received the Eucharist, and repeated her partof the office with unimpaired memory and intelligence, thoughin a feeble voice. She observed that Tenison had been longstanding at her bedside, and, with that sweet courtesy whichwas habitual to her, faltered out her commands that he wouldsit down, and repeated them till he obeyed. After she hadreceived the sacrament she sank rapidly, and uttered only afew broken words. Twice she tried to take a last farewell ofhim whom she had loved so truly and entirely: but she wasunable to speak. He had a succession of fits so alarming thathis Privy Councillors, who were assembled in a neighbouringroom, were apprehensive for his reason and his life. The Dukeof Leeds, at the request of his colleagues, ventured to assumethe friendly guardianship of which minds deranged by sorrowstand in need. A few minutes before the Queen expired, Wil-liam was removed, almost insensible, from the sickroom.

Mary died in peace with Anne. Before the physicians hadpronounced the case hopeless, the Princess, who was then invery delicate health, had sent a kind message; and Mary hadreturned a kind answer. The Princess had then proposed tocome herself: but William had, in very gracious terms, declined

chap

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1694 .