A sumptuous table was kept for him; and the yeomen of the guard were ordered to wait in his antechamber with the same observance which they were in the habit of paying to the Sovereign.

These marks of respect soothed even the punctilious pride of the Spanish court, and averted all danger of a rupture.

[579] In spite, however, of the well meant efforts of the provisional government, the agitation grew hourly more formidable.

It was heightened by an event which, even at this distance of time, can hardly be related without a feeling of vindictive pleasure.

A scrivener who lived at Wapping, and whose trade was to furnish the seafaring men there with money at high interest, had some time before lent a sum on bottomry.