It is said, indeed, that His Majesty deigned to look into the tennis court and to listen with decency to his friend's melodious eloquence.

[295] The furious Tyrconnel had crossed the sea from Dublin to give an account of his administration.

All the most respectable English Catholics looked coldly on him as on an enemy of their race and a scandal to their religion.

But he was cordially welcomed by his master, and dismissed with assurances of undiminished confidence and steady support.

James expressed his delight at learning that in a short time the whole government of Ireland would be in Roman Catholic hands.