[563] While foes were thus rising up all round the King, friends were fast shrinking from his side.

The idea of resistance had become familiar to every mind.

Many who had been struck with horror when they heard of the first defections now blamed themselves for having been so slow to discern the signs of the times.

There was no longer any difficulty or danger in repairing to William.

The King, in calling on the nation to elect representatives, had, by implication, authorised all men to repair to the places where they had votes or interest; and many of those places were already occupied by invaders or insurgents.