[198] His wife, who was on a sick bed, had already, it was said, solicited the honour of a visit from the much injured Queen, and had attempted to work on Her Majesty's feelings of compassion.

[199] But the Hydes abased themselves in vain.

Petre regarded them with peculiar malevolence, and was bent on their ruin.
[200] On the evening of the seventeenth of December the Earl was called into the royal closet.

James was unusually discomposed, and even shed tears.

The occasion, indeed, could not but call up some recollections which might well soften even a hard heart.