"Welcome my good fellow! Where the devil have
you been, that I have never been able to set eyes on you since we
were at Brussels! What business brought you here?" he continued
in the same breath; and then added in a tone of banter, "Do you
likewise wish to see Lady Southesk; if this is your intention, my
poor friend, you may go away again; for I must inform you the
Duke of York is in love with her, and I will tell you in
confidence that at this very time he is in her chamber."
My Lord Southesk was overwhelmed with shame and confusion, and
not knowing how to act, immediately returned to his coach, Talbot
attending him to the door as his friend, and advising him to seek
a mistress elsewhere. He then went back to his post, and with
some impatience awaited the Duke's return, that he might tell him
what had happened. And in due time, when he had narrated the
story, he was much surprised that neither his royal highness nor
the countess saw any humour in the fact of Lord Carnegy's
discomfiture. It served, however, to make the duke break off his
connection with the lady, and likewise to amuse the town.
Remembering this incident, my Lord Chesterfield kept a watchful
eye upon the duke, who he observed made advances towards the
countess, which she, in her generosity, had not the heart to
repulse. But, as his royal highness could see her only in
presence of the court, my lord derived some satisfaction from
knowing he was witness to such civilities as had yet passed
between them.
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