He at length told his accomplices that he could go no further with them.

If they thought him capable of betraying them, they might stab him; and he should hardly blame them; for, by drawing back after going so far, he had given them a kind of right over his life.

They had, however, he assured them, nothing to fear from him: he would keep their secret; he could not help wishing them success; but his conscience would not suffer him to take an active part in a rebellion.

They heard his confession with suspicion and disdain.

Sidney, whose notions of a conscientious scruple were extremely vague, informed the Prince that Nottingham had taken fright.