he other side, waved his crutch over his head with a
huzzah, at the idea that he should march out and engage him. Of the three
secretaries of state, we knew that one was devoted to us. The Governor of
the Tower was ours: the two companies on duty at Kensington barrack were
safe; and we had intelligence, very speedy and accurate, of all that took
place at the Palace within.

At noon, on the 30th of July, a message came to the prince's friends that
the Committee of Council was sitting at Kensington Palace, their graces of
Ormonde and Shrewsbury, the Archbishop of Canterbury and the three
Secretaries of State, being there assembled. In an hour afterwards,
hurried news was brought that the two great Whig dukes, Argyle and
Somerset, had broke into the Council-chamber without a summons, and taken
their seat at table. After holding a debate there, the whole party
proceeded to the chamber of the queen, who was lying in great weakness,
but still sensible, and the lords recommended his grace of Shrewsbury as
the fittest person to take the vacant place of lord treasurer; her Majesty
gave him the staff, as all know. "And now," writ my messenger from Court,
"_now or never is the time_."

Now or never was the time indeed. In spite of the Whig dukes, our side had
still the majority in the Council, and Esmond, to whom the message had
been brought (the personage at Court not being aware that the prince had
quitted his lodging in Kensington Square), and Esmond's gallant young aide
de camp, Frank Castlewood, putting on sword and uniform, took a brief
leave of their dear lady, who embraced and blessed them both; and went to
her chamber to pray for the issue of the great event which was then
pending.

Castlewood sped to the barrack to give warning to the captain of the guard
there; and then went to the "King's Arms" tavern at Kensington, where our
friends were assembled, having come by parties of twos and threes, riding
or in coaches, and were got together in the upper chamber, fifty-three of
them; their servants, who had been instructed to bring arms likewise,
being below in the garden of the tavern, where they were served with
drink. Out of this garden is a little door that leads into the road of the
Palace, and through this it was arranged that masters and servants were to
march; when that signal was given, and that Personage appeared, for whom
all were waiting. There was in our company the famous officer next in
command to the Captain