He may have thought, with good reason, that, though little confidence could be placed in Sunderland's professions, much confidence might be placed in Sunderland's situation; and the truth is that Sunderland proved, on the whole, a more faithful servant than a much less depraved man might have been.

He did indeed make, in profound secresy, some timid overtures towards a reconciliation with James.
But it may be confidently affirmed that, even had those overtures been graciously received,--and they appear to have been received very ungraciously,--the twice turned renegade would never have rendered any real service to the Jacobite cause.

He well knew that he had done that which at Saint Germains must be regarded as inexpiable.

It was not merely that he had been treacherous and ungrateful.

Marlborough had been as treacherous and ungrateful; and Marlborough had been pardoned.
But Marlborough had not been guilty of the impious hypocrisy of counterfeiting the signs of conversion.