in their true light; and I shrink with horror from the
contemplation. The thought of them is with me day and night. I
sit down to table; but I cannot eat. I throw myself on my bed;
but I cannot sleep. I am ready to sacrifice every thing, to brave
every thing, to bring utter ruin on my fortunes, if only I may be
free from the misery of a wounded spirit." If appearances could
be trusted, this great offender was as true a penitent as David
or as Peter. Sackville reported to his friends what had passed.
They could not but acknowledge that, if the arch traitor, who had
hitherto opposed to conscience and to public opinion the same
cool and placid hardihood which distinguished him on fields of
battle, had really begun to feel remorse, it would be absurd to
reject, on account of his unworthiness, the inestimable services
which it was in his power to render to the good cause. He sate in
the interior council; he held high command in the army; he had
been recently entrusted, and would doubtless again be entrusted,
with the direction of important military operations. It was true
that no man had incurred equal guilt; but it was true also that
no man had it in his power to make equal reparation. If he was
sincere, he might doubtless earn the pardon which he so much
desired. But was he sincere? Had he not been just as loud in
professions of loyalty on the very eve of his crime? It was
necessary to put him to the test. Several tests were applied by
Sackville and Lloyd. Marlborough was required to furnish full
information touching the strength and the distribution of all the
divisions of the English army; and he complied. He was required
to disclose the whole plan of the approaching campaign; and he
did so. The Jacobite leaders watched carefully for inaccuracies
in his reports, but could find none. It was thought a still
stronger proof of his fidelity that he gave valuable intelligence