Lord
Chesterfield, who had been appointed chamberlain to the queen,
tells us: "Although James, in consequence of his near connection
with the sovereign, might have saluted the royal bride, he did
not avail himself of this privilege, out of a delicate regard to
his majesty's feelings, that he might be the first man to offer
that compliment to his queen; she coming out of a country where
it was not the fashion." The Duke of York presented some
noblemen who had accompanied him; after which she introduced the
members of her suite. The queen and her brother-in-law then held
a conversation in the Spanish language, when James assured her of
his affection, and besought her to accept his services. To these
compliments she replied in like manner, when he arose to depart.
The queen advanced three paces with him, not withstanding that he
protested against such courtesy, bidding her remember her rank.
At this she smiled, and answered with much sweetness, "She wished
to do that out of affection, which she was not obliged to do"--a
reply which made a favourable impression on his mind. Whilst she
continued on board, the duke and his suite visited her daily,
entering freely into conversation with her, and finding her "a
most agreeable lady." Probably at the desire of the king, she
left the ship before his arrival, and was conveyed to his
majesty's house at Portsmouth, where she was received by the
Countess of Suffolk, first lady of the bedchamber, and four other
ladies who had been appointed members of her household.
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