The conversation at table was free; and the weaknesses of the prince whom the confederates hoped to manage were not spared.

To Petre Sunderland promised a Cardinal's hat; to Castelmaine a splendid embassy to Rome; to Dover a lucrative command in the Guards; and to Tyrconnel high employment in Ireland.

Thus hound together by the strongest ties of interest, these men addressed themselves to the task of subverting the Treasurer's power.

[62] There were two Protestant members of the cabinet who took no decided part in the struggle.

Jeffreys was at this time tortured by a cruel internal malady which had been aggravated by intemperance.