It was probable at this moment that he was persuaded to form a resolution, of which neither he nor she by whom he was governed foresaw the consequences.

Before he announced that resolution, however, he observed all the decent forms of deliberation.

A council was held that evening at Marli, and was attended by the princes of the blood and by the ministers of state.

The question was propounded, whether, when God should take James the Second of England to himself, France should recognise the Pretender as King James the Third?
The ministers were, one and all, against the recognition.

Indeed, it seems difficult to understand how any person who had any pretensions to the name of statesman should have been of a different opinion.