Even his ambition made him unwilling to owe to violence that greatness which might be his in the ordinary course of nature and of law.

For he well knew that, if the crown descended to his wife regularly, all its prerogatives would descend unimpaired with it, and that, if it were obtained by election, it must be taken subject to such conditions as the electors might think fit to impose.

He meant, therefore, as it appears, to wait with patience for the day when he might govern by an undisputed title, and to content himself in the meantime with exercising a great influence on English affairs, as first Prince of the blood, and as head of the party which was decidedly preponderant in the nation, and which was certain whenever a Parliament should meet, to be decidedly preponderant in both Houses.
Already, it is true, he had been urged by an adviser, less sagacious and more impetuous than himself, to try a bolder course.

This adviser was the young Lord Mordaunt.

That age had produced no more inventive genius, and no more daring spirit.