When William returned to England, Preston was brought before him, and was commanded to repeat the confession which had already been made to the ministers.

The King stood behind the Lord President's chair and listened gravely while Clarendon, Dartmouth, Turner and Penn were named.

But as soon as the prisoner, passing from what he could himself testify, began to repeat the stories which Penn had told him, William touched Caermarthen on the shoulder and said, "My Lord, we have had too much of this." [17] This judicious magnanimity had its proper reward.

Devonshire and Dorset became from that day more zealous than ever in the cause of the master who, in spite of calumny for which their own indiscretion had perhaps furnished some ground, had continued to repose confidence in their loyalty.

[18] Even those who were undoubtedly criminal were generally treated with great lenity.