Then he had joined the victorious party, and had assured the Whigs that he had pretended to be their enemy, only in order that he might, without incurring suspicion, act as their friend.

Athol was still less to be trusted.

His abilities were mean, his temper false, pusillanimous, and cruel.

In the late reign he had gained a dishonourable notoriety by the barbarous actions of which he had been guilty in Argyleshire.

He had turned with the turn of fortune, and had paid servile court to the Prince of Orange, but had been coldly received, and had now, from mere mortification, come back to the party which he had deserted, [290] Neither of the rival noblemen had chosen to stake the dignities and lands of his house on the issue of the contention between the rival Kings.