But afterwards I heard that they then adjourned for an hour or two, and that it was the Recorder--Sir George Jeffreys--that gave sentence.
When I presented myself, half an hour later, at Mr.Chiffinch's lodgings, I had very nearly persuaded myself that all would yet be well.
For I thought it impossible that any man to whom the report of the trial should be brought, could ever think that justice had been done; least of all the King who is the fount of it, under God.

I knew very well that His Majesty would have to bear the brunt of some unpopularity if he refused to sign the warrants for their death; but he appeared to me to care not very much for popularity--since he outraged it often enough in worse ways than in maintaining the right.

He had said to me, too, so expressly that no harm should come to the Fathers or to Mr.Grove and Mr.Pickering either; and he had said so, I was informed, even more forcibly to the Duke and those that were with him--saying that his right hand should rot off if ever he took the pen into his hand for such a purpose.

I remembered these things, even while the plaudits of the crowd still rang in my ears, and the bitter cruelty of my Lord Chief Justice's words to the jury.

His Majesty, I said to myself, is above all these lesser folk, and will see that no wrong is done.