The following day was Sunday.

But there was little chance that William would live through the night.

It was of the highest importance that, within the shortest possible time after his decease, the successor designated by the Bill of Rights and the Act of Succession should receive the homage of the Estates of the Realm, and be publicly proclaimed in the Council: and the most rigid Pharisee in the Society for the Reformation of Manners could hardly deny that it was lawful to save the state, even on the Sabbath.
The King meanwhile was sinking fast.

Albemarle had arrived at Kensington from the Hague, exhausted by rapid travelling.

His master kindly bade him go to rest for some hours, and then summoned him to make his report.
That report was in all respects satisfactory.