" This delusion continued through her illness, and so
strongly did it force itself upon her mind, that one morning when
she was on her way to recovery, on waking suddenly and seeing the
doctor bending over her, she exclaimed, "How do the children?"
Now all this time, whilst the shadow of death lay upon the
palace, and laughter and music were no longer heard within its
walls, there was one of its inmates who pondered much upon the
great fortune which the future might have in keeping for her.
This was fair Frances Stuart, who, not having yielded to the
king's request by becoming his mistress, now entertained high
hopes of being made his wife. In this dream she was, moreover,
flattered by an unusual deference and high respect paid her by
the court since the beginning of her majesty's illness. The king
continued his attentions to her; for though he had proved himself
"fondly disconsolate" and wept sorely for her majesty, he never
during her sickness omitted an opportunity of conversing with
Miss Stuart, or neglected supping with Lady Castlemaine. But the
hopes entertained by the maid of honour were speedily overthrown,
for contrary to all expectation the queen recovered, and was so
well on the 10th November as to "bespeak herself a new gowne"
And so the court remained unchanged, and life went on as before;
the queen growing gradually stronger, the king making love to
Miss Stuart by day, and visiting Lady Castlemaine by night. And
it happened one evening when he went to sup with the latter there
was a chine of beef to roast, and no fire to cook it because the
Thames had flooded the kitchen.
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