The monarch had not expected
his words would cause such fury, nor did he desire her departure;
and no sooner had she gone than he began to regret her absence
and long for her return.
Therefore next morning he made pretence of hunting, and turning
his horse's head in the direction of Richmond, called on his
mistress, when he apologized to and made friends with her. She
therefore returned and exercised her old ascendancy over him once
more. It is probable his majesty was the more anxious to pacify
her, from the fact that she was now far advanced in her third
pregnancy; for two months later she gave birth to her second son,
who was baptized Henry Fitzroy, and subsequently created Duke of
Grafton.
And it happened about this time, that the queen, falling ill,
drew near unto death. On Friday, the 14th October, 1663, a fever
took possession of her, when the doctors were summoned, her head
shaven, and pigeons put to her feet. Her illness, however,
rapidly increased, and believing she was about to leave a world
in which her young life had known so much sorrow, she made her
will, put her affairs in order, and received extreme unction.
Upon this the king, mindful of grievous injuries he had done
her, was sorely troubled in his heart, and going to her chamber,
flung himself at the foot of her bed and burst into tears; as the
French ambassador narrates.
It is said women love best men who treat them worst. If this be
so, God, alone who made them knows wherefore; for it is given no
man to understand them in all.
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