But their cupidity overreached itself.

The House of Commons showed a great disposition to gratify Her Royal Highness.

But, when at length her too eager adherents ventured to name the sum which they wished to grant, the murmurs were loud.

Seventy thousand a year at a time when the necessary expenses of the State were daily increasing, when the receipt of the customs was daily diminishing, when trade was low, when every gentleman, every farmer, was retrenching something from the charge of his table and his cellar! The general opinion was that the sum which the King was understood to be willing to give would be amply sufficient, [605] At last something was conceded on both sides.

The Princess was forced to content herself with fifty thousand a year; and William agreed that this sum should be settled on her by Act of Parliament.