The duke received but a slight
wound, but his friend Captain Jenkins was killed upon the spot.
The while swords clashed, blood flowed, and lives hung in a
balance, the woman who wrought this evil stood close by,
disguised as a page, holding the bridle of her lover's horse, as
Lord Orford mentions.
In consequence of this duel the Duke of Buckingham absented
himself from the capital; but two months after its occurrence
King Charles was pleased, "in contemplation of the services
heretofore done to his majesty by most of the persons engaged in
the late duel or rencontre, to graciously pardon the said
offence." Three months after the day on which he fought, Lord
Shrewsbury died from effects of his wounds, when the duke boldly
carried the widow to his home. The poor duchess, who had
patiently borne many wrongs, could not stand this grievous and
public insult, and declared she would not live under the same
roof with so shameless a woman. "So I thought, madam," rejoined
her profligate lord, "and have therefore ordered your coach to
convey you to your father."
The countess continued to live with her paramour; nor was the
court scandalized. The queen, it is true, openly espoused the
cause of the outraged duchess, and sought to enlist sympathy on
her behalf; but so low was the tone of public morality that her
words were unheeded, and no voice was raised in protest against
this glaring infamy. Nay, the duke went further still in his
efforts towards injuring the wife to whom he owed so much, and
who loved him over-well; as he caused his chaplain, the Rev.
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