of Europe, the welfare of France, nay the selfish interest of the
House of Bourbon. On the other side were the influence of an
artful woman, and the promptings of vanity which, we must in
candour acknowledge, was ennobled by a mixture of compassion and
chivalrous generosity. The King determined to act in direct
opposition to the advice of all his ablest servants; and the
princes of the blood applauded his decision, as they would have
applauded any decision which he had announced. Nowhere was he
regarded with a more timorous, a more slavish, respect than in
his own family.

On the following day he went again to Saint Germains, and,
attended by a splendid retinue, entered James's bedchamber. The
dying man scarcely opened his heavy eyes, and then closed them
again. "I have something," said Lewis, "of great moment to
communicate to Your Majesty." The courtiers who filled the room
took this as a signal to retire, and were crowding towards the
door, when they were stopped by that commanding voice: "Let
nobody withdraw. I come to tell Your Majesty that, whenever it
shall please God to take you from us, I will be to your son what
I have been to you, and will acknowledge him as King of England,
Scotland and Ireland." The English exiles who were standing round
the couch fell on their knees. Some burst into tears. Some poured
forth praises and blessings with clamour such as, was scarcely
becoming in such a place and at such a time. Some indistinct
murmurs which James uttered, and which were drowned by the noisy
gratitude of his attendants, were interpreted to mean thanks. But
from the most trustworthy accounts it appears that he was
insensible to all that was passing around him.24