It was well understood that they were about to yield, and that the conference had been a mere form.

The friends of Mary had found that, by setting her up as her husband's rival, they had deeply displeased her.

Some of the Peers who had formerly voted for a Regency had determined to absent themselves or to support the resolution of the Lower House.

Their opinion, they said, was unchanged: but any government was better than no government, and the country could not bear a prolongation of this agony of suspense.

Even Nottingham, who, in the Painted Chamber, had taken the lead against the Commons, declared that, though his own conscience would not suffer him to give way, he was glad that the consciences of other men were less squeamish.