I hardly see my way.

Never in my life did I so much feel the need of God's guidance." [465] Bentinck's wife was at this time dangerously ill; and both the friends were painfully anxious about her.

"God support you," William wrote, "and enable you to bear your part in a work on which, as far as human beings can see, the welfare of his Church depends." [466] It was indeed impossible that a design so vast as that which had been formed against the King of England should remain during many weeks a secret.

No art could prevent intelligent men from perceiving that William was making great military and naval preparations, and from suspecting the object with which those preparations were made.

Early in August hints that some great event was approaching were whispered up and down London.