The power and favour of these noblemen seemed to be great indeed.

The younger brother was Lord Treasurer and prime minister; and the elder, after holding the Privy Seal during some months, had been appointed Lord Lieutenant of Ireland.

The venerable Ormond took the same side.

Middleton and Preston, who, as managers of the House of Commons, had recently learned by proof how dear the established religion was to the loyal gentry of England, were also for moderate counsels.
At the very beginning of the new year these statesmen and the great party which they represented had to suffer a cruel mortification.

That the late King had been at heart a Roman Catholic had been, during some months, suspected and whispered, but not formally announced.