William, however, could not be brought to believe that the case was so hopeless.

He listened too easily to some secret adviser, Sunderland was probably the man, who accused Montague and Somers of cowardice and insincerity.

They had, it was whispered in the royal ear, a majority, whenever they really wanted one.

They were bent upon placing their friend Littleton in the Speaker's chair; and they had carried their point triumphantly.

They would carry as triumphantly a vote for a respectable military establishment if the honour of their master and the safety of their country were as dear to them as the petty interests of their own faction.