He went privately to Kensington, was admitted into the closet, had an audience which lasted two hours, and then retired to his country house.

[472] During many months be led a secluded life, and had no residence in London.

Once in the spring of 1692, to the great astonishment of the public, he showed his face in the circle at Court, and was graciously received.

[473] He seems to have been afraid that he might, on his reappearance in Parliament, receive some marked affront.

He therefore, very prudently, stole down to Westminster, in the dead time of the year, on a day to which the Houses stood adjourned by the royal command, and on which they met merely for the purpose of adjourning again.