Burnet; "we would not do the least harm
to his person." "And if he were to go away?" said Halifax. "There is
nothing," said Burnet, "so much to be wished." There can be no doubt
that Burnet expressed the general sentiment of the Whigs in the Prince's
camp. They were all desirous that James should fly from the country: but
only a few of the wisest among them understood how important it was
that his flight should be ascribed by the nation to his own folly and
perverseness, and not to harsh usage and well grounded apprehension. It
seems probable that, even in the extremity to which he was now reduced,
all his enemies united would have been unable to effect his complete
overthrow had he not been his own worst enemy: but, while his
Commissioners were labouring to save him, he was labouring as earnestly
to make all their efforts useless. [571]

His plans were at length ripe for execution. The pretended negotiation
had answered its purpose. On the same day on which the three Lords
reached Hungerford the Prince of Wales arrived at Westminster. It had
been intended that he should come over London Bridge; and some Irish
troops were sent to Southwark to meet him. But they were received by a
great multitude with such hooting and execration that they thought it
advisable to retire with all speed. The poor child crossed the Thames at
Kingston, and was brought into Whitehall so privately that many believed
him to be still at Portsmouth. [572]

To send him and the Queen out of the country without delay was now the
first object of James. But who could be trusted to manage the escape?
Dartmouth was the most loyal of Protestant Tories; and Dartmouth
had refused. Dover was a creature of the Jesuits; and even Dover had
hesitated. It was not very easy to find, an Englishman of rank and
honour who would undertake to place the heir apparent of the English
crown in the hands of the King of France. In these circumstances, James
bethought him of a French nobleman who then resided in London, Antonine,
Count of Lauzun. Of this man it has been said that his life was stranger
than the dreams of other people. At an early age he had been the
intimate associate of Lewis, and had been encouraged to expect the
highest employments under the French crown. Then his fortunes had
undergone an eclipse. Lewis had driven from him the friend of his youth
with bitter reproaches, and had, it was said, scarcely refrained from
adding blows. The fallen favourite had