The fallen statesman was suffered to retain during a considerable time the title of Lord President, and to walk on public occasions between the Great Seal and the Privy Seal.

But he was told that he would do well not to show himself at Council; the business and the patronage even of the department of which he was the nominal head passed into other hands; and the place which he ostensibly filled was considered in political circles as really vacant.

[585] He hastened into the country, and hid himself there, during some months, from the public eye.

When the Parliament met again, however, he emerged from his retreat.

Though he was well stricken in years and cruelly tortured by disease, his ambition was still as ardent as ever.