circumstances
not very favourable to piety, a sincerely pious man. The sceptical
and sarcastic Halifax lay under the imputation of infidelity. Halifax
therefore often incurred Burnet's indignant censure; and Burnet was
often the butt of Halifax's keen and polished pleasantry. Yet they
were drawn to each other by a mutual attraction, liked each other's
conversation, appreciated each other's abilities, interchanged opinions
freely, and interchanged also good offices in perilous times. It was
not, however, merely from personal regard that Halifax now wished to see
his old acquaintance. The Commissioners must have been anxious to know
what was the Prince's real aim. He had refused to see them in private;
and little could be learned from what he might say in a formal and
public interview. Almost all those who were admitted to his confidence
were men taciturn and impenetrable as himself. Burnet was the
only exception. He was notoriously garrulous and indiscreet. Yet
circumstances had made it necessary to trust him; and he would
doubtless, under the dexterous management of Halifax, have poured out
secrets as fast as words. William knew this well, and, when he was
informed that Halifax was asking for the Doctor, could not refrain from
exclaiming, "If they get together there will be fine tattling." Burnet
was forbidden to see the Commissioners in private; but he was assured
in very courteous terms that his fidelity was regarded by the Prince as
above all suspicion; and, that there might be no ground for complaint,
the prohibition was made general.

That afternoon the noblemen and gentlemen whose advice William had asked
met in the great room of the principal inn at Hungerford. Oxford
was placed in the chair; and the King's overtures were taken into
consideration. It soon appeared that the assembly was divided into two
parties, a party anxious to come to terms with the King, and a party
bent on his destruction. The latter party had the numerical superiority:
but it was observed that Shrewsbury, who of all the English nobles was
supposed to enjoy the largest share of William's confidence, though a
Whig, sided on this occasion with the Tories. After much altercation the
question was put. The majority was for rejecting the proposition which
the royal Commissioners had been instructed to make. The resolution of
the assembly was reported to the Prince at Littlecote. On no occasion
during the whole course of his eventful life did he s