And the Earl and his Countess held the Princess Anne under their thumbs.

Let her succeed to the throne, and he would be, to all intents, King of England.

Nay, he would hold the balance of Europe in his palm.
"My friend," he said, under his breath, "you are too dangerous." Aloud he gave the talk a new turn.
"This mutiny will not succeed," he observed reflectively.

"The men who intend to rise must be informed against." "It appears so." "But not too soon.

They must not succeed, as I said; but they must have time enough to show their countrymen that the discontent is serious, and to convince James that only an accident has prevented their coming over to him in a body." "That is clear enough." "The only question," the Earl pursued, "is--who is to give the information at the proper moment ?" "Undoubtedly that is a difficulty." "I thought--excuse me if I come to the point--I thought that _you_ might do so." "My lord!" "You object ?" "Decidedly I do.