For the London season began together with Michaelmas Term; and, even during the war, the King had scarcely ever failed to receive the compliments of his faithful Lords and Commons on the fifth of November, the anniversary both of his birth and of his memorable landing.

The numerous members of the House of Commons who were in town, having their time on their hands, formed cabals, and heated themselves and each other by murmuring at his partiality for the country of his birth.

He had been off to Holland, they said, at the earliest possible moment.

He was now lingering in Holland till the latest possible moment.

This was not the worst.
The twenty-ninth of November came; but the King was not come.