This was driven by six
horses, and occupied by two women, who received the heiress with
all possible respect. No sooner had she been placed in the coach
than the horses were set to a gallop, and away she sped,
surrounded by a company of horsemen.
Lord Hawley was cast into the uttermost grief and passion by this
outrage; but his condition did not prevent him speedily gathering
a number of friends and retainers, in company with whom he gave
chase to those who had abducted his granddaughter; and so fast
did they ride that Mistress Mallett was overtaken at Uxbridge,
and carried back in safety to town. For this outrageous attempt,
my Lord Rochester was by the king's command committed to the
Tower, there to await his majesty's good pleasure. It seemed now
as if the earl's chance of gaining the heiress had passed away
for ever; inasmuch as Charles regarded the attempted abduction
with vast displeasure, and my Lord Hawley with terrible
indignation.
But the ways of women being inexplicable, it happened in a brief
while Mistress Mallett was inclined to regret my Lord Rochester's
imprisonment, and therefore moved to have him released; and,
moreover, she was subsequently pleased to regard his suit and
accept him as her wedded lord. It speaks favourably for his
character that with all his faults she loved him well: nor did
Rochester, though occasionally unfaithful, ever treat her with
unkindness. At times the old spirit of restlessness and passion
for adventure would master him, when he would withdraw himself
from her society for weeks and months.
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