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3 (1849)
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367
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JAMES TtTE SECOND.

367

mount it. On a sudden his prospects were overcast. Theabdication, it appeared, had not been completed. A large 1688 .proportion of his own followers would have scruples about de-posing a King who remained among them, who invited themto represent their grievances in a parliamentary way, and whopromised full redress. It was necessary that the Prince shouldexamine his new position, and determine on a new line ofaction. No course was open to him which was altogether freefrom objections, no course which would place him in a situa-tion so advantageous as that which he had occupied a fewhours before. Yet something might be done. The King’sfirst attempt to escape had failed. What was now most to bedesired was that he should make a second attempt with bettersuccess. He must be at once frightened and enticed. Theliberality with which he had been treated in the negotiation atHungeriord, and which he had requited by a breach of faith,would now be out of season. No terms of accommodationmust be proposed to him. If he should propose terms he mustbe coldly answered. No violence must be used towards him,or even threatened. Yet it might not be impossible, withouteither using or threatening violence, to make so weak a manuneasy about his personal safety. He would soon be eager tofly. ■ All facilities for flight must then be placed within hisreach; and care must be taken that he should not again bestopped by any officious blunderer.

Such was William’s plan: and the ability and determi- Arrest ofnation with which he carried it into effect present a strangecontrast to the folly and cowardice with which he had to deal.

He soon had an excellent opportunity of commencing hissystem of intimidation. Feversham arrived at Windsor withJames’s letter. The messenger had not been very judiciouslyselected. It was he who had disbanded the royal army. Tohim primarily were to be imputed the confusion and terror ofthe Irish Night. His conduct was loudly blamed by thepublic. William had been provoked into muttering a fewwords of menace: and a few words of menace from William’slips generally meant something. Feversham was asked forhis safe conduct. He had none. By coming without one