ough, and any letters which may have been intercepted while
passing between Saint Germains and Lord Godolphin. "Unless," said
Monmouth to his female agents, "Sir John is under a fate, unless he
is out of his mind, he will take my counsel. If he does, his life and
honour are safe. If he does not, he is a dead man." Then this strange
intriguer, with his usual license of speech, reviled William for what
was in truth one of William's best titles to glory. "He is the worst
of men. He has acted basely. He pretends not to believe these charges
against Shrewsbury, Russell, Marlborough, Godolphin. And yet he
knows,"--and Monmouth confirmed the assertion by a tremendous oath,--"he
knows that every word of the charges is true."

The papers written by Monmouth were delivered by Lady Mary to her
husband. If the advice which they contained had been followed, there can
be little doubt that the object of the adviser would have been attained.
The King would have been bitterly mortified; there would have been a
general panic among public men of every party; even Marlborough's serene
fortitude would have been severely tried; and Shrewsbury would probably
have shot himself. But that Fenwick would have put himself in a better
situation is by no means clear. Such was his own opinion. He saw that
the step which he was urged to take was hazardous. He knew that he was
urged to take that step, not because it was likely to save himself, but
because it was certain to annoy others; and he was resolved not to be
Monmouth's tool.

On the first of December the bill went through the earliest stage
without a division. Then Fenwick's confession, which had, by the royal
command, been laid on the table, was read; and then Marlborough stood
up. "Nobody can wonder," he said, "that a man whose head is in danger
should try to save himself by accusing others. I assure Your Lordships
that, since the accession of his present Majesty, I have had no
intercourse with Sir John on any subject whatever; and this I declare
on my word of honour." [763] Marlborough's assertion may have been true;
but it was perfectly compatible with the truth of all that Fenwick had
said. Godolphin went further. "I certainly did," he said, "continue to
the last in the service of King James and of his Queen. I was esteemed
by them both. But I cannot think that a crime. It is possible that they
and those who are about them may imagine that I am still attached to
their interest. That I cann