As soon as the fault into which Lewis had been hurried by pity,
by the desire of applause, and by female influence was complete
and irreparable, he began to feel serious uneasiness. His
ministers were directed to declare everywhere that their master
had no intention of affronting the English government, that he
had not violated the Treaty of Ryswick, that he had no intention
of violating it, that he had merely meant to gratify an
unfortunate family nearly related to himself by using names and
observing forms which really meant nothing, and that he was
resolved not to countenance any attempt to subvert the throne of
William. Torcy, who had, a few days before, proved by
irrefragable arguments that his master could not, without a gross
breach of contract, recognise the Pretender, imagined that
sophisms which had not imposed on himself might possibly impose
on others. He visited the English embassy, obtained admittance,
and, as was his duty, did his best to excuse the fatal act which
he had done his best to prevent. Manchester's answer to this
attempt at explanation was as strong and plain as it could be in
the absence of precise instructions. The instructions speedily
arrived. The courier who carried the news of the recognition to
Loo arrived there when William was at table with some of his
nobles and some princes of the German Empire who had visited him
in his retreat. The King said not a word; but his pale cheek
flushed; and he pulled his hat over his eyes to conceal the
changes of his countenance. He hastened to send off several
messengers. One carried a letter commanding Manchester to quit
France without taking leave. Another started for London with a
despatch which directed the Lords Justices to send Poussin
instantly out of England.