Another had not indeed yet apostatized, but was nearly related to an apostate.

The people asked, as they had asked from the first, why, if all was right, the King, knowing, as he knew, that many doubted the reality of his wife's pregnancy, had not taken care that the birth should be more satisfactorily proved.

Was there nothing suspicious in the false reckoning, in the sudden change of abode, in the absence of the Princess Anne and of the Archbishop of Canterbury?
Why was no prelate of the Established Church in attendance?
Why was not the Dutch Ambassador summoned?
Why, above all, were not the Hydes, loyal servants of the crown, faithful sons of the Church, and natural guardians of the interest of their nieces, suffered to mingle with the crowd of Papists which was assembled in and near the royal bedchamber?
Why, in short, was there, in the long list of assistants, not a single name which commanded public confidence and respect?
The true answer to these questions was that the King's understanding was weak, that his temper was despotic, and that he had willingly seized an opportunity of manifesting his contempt for the opinion of his subjects.
But the multitude, not contented with this explanation, attributed to deep laid villany what was really the effect of folly and perverseness.
Nor was this opinion confined to the multitude.

The Lady Anne, at her toilette, on the morning after the Council, spoke of the investigation with such scorn as emboldened the very tirewomen who were dressing her to put in their jests.

Some of the Lords who had heard the examination, and had appeared to be satisfied, were really unconvinced.