few hours to live; and the members asked each other anxiously
whether it was likely that the Abjuration and money bills would
be passed before he died. After sitting long in the expectation
of a message, the Commons adjourned till six in the afternoon. By
that time William had recovered himself sufficiently to put the
stamp on the parchment which authorised his commissioners to act
for him. In the evening, when the Houses had assembled, Black Rod
knocked. The Commons were summoned to the bar of the Lords; the
commission was read, the Abjuration Bill and the Malt Bill became
laws, and both Houses adjourned till nine o'clock in the morning
of the following day. The following day was Sunday. But there was
little chance that William would live through the night. It was
of the highest importance that, within the shortest possible time
after his decease, the successor designated by the Bill of Rights
and the Act of Succession should receive the homage of the
Estates of the Realm, and be publicly proclaimed in the Council:
and the most rigid Pharisee in the Society for the Reformation of
Manners could hardly deny that it was lawful to save the state,
even on the Sabbath.

The King meanwhile was sinking fast. Albemarle had arrived at
Kensington from the Hague, exhausted by rapid travelling. His
master kindly bade him go to rest for some hours, and then
summoned him to make his report. That report was in all respects
satisfactory. The States General were in the best temper; the
troops, the provisions and the magazines were in the best order.
Every thing was in readiness for an early campaign. William
received the intelligence with the calmness of a man whose work
was done. He was under no illusion as to his danger. "I am fast
drawing," he said, "to my end." His end was worthy of his life.