A man who had better chances of success in winning this beautiful
girl was George Hamilton, whose name has been already mentioned.
It was not, however, his graceful person, or elegant manner, but
his performance of a trick which gained her attention. It
happened one night that an Irish peer, old Lord Carlingford, was
diverting her by showing how she might hold a burning candle in
her mouth a considerable time without its being extinguished.
This was a source of uncommon delight to her; seeing which,
George Hamilton thought he would give her still further
entertainment. For being furnished by nature with a wide mouth,
he placed within it two lighted candles, and walked three times
round the room without extinguishing them, whilst the fair Stuart
clapped her pretty hands in delight, and shouted aloud with
laughter.
A man who could accomplish such a feat was worthy of becoming a
favourite. She at once admitted him to terms of familiarity; and
he had a hundred chances of paying her the attentions he greatly
desired, and which she freely accepted. Grammont, foreseeing
that Hamilton would incur the royal displeasure if his love for
Miss Stuart became known to the king, besought him to abandon his
addresses; but this advice did not at first sound pleasant to the
lover's ears. "Since the court has been in the country," said
he, "I have had a hundred opportunities of seeing her, which I
had not before. You know that the dishabille of the bath is a
great convenience for those ladies, who, strictly adhering to all
the rules of decorum, are yet desirous to display all their
charms and attractions.
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