I cannot with a safe conscience do it, and I will not, no, not for the crown of England, nor for the empire of the world." These words were reported to the King and disturbed him greatly.

[260] He wrote urgent letters with his own hand.

Sometimes he took the tone of an injured man.

He was the head of the royal family, he was as such entitled to expect the obedience of the younger branches and it was very hard that he was to be crossed in a matter on which his heart was set.
At other times a bait which was thought irresistible was offered.

If William would but give way on this one point, the English government would, in return, cooperate with him strenuously against France.