However, the position which her union with him would ensure was
all she could desire, and he renewing his suit at this time, she
consequently consented to marry him. Now though it was probable
she could keep her design from knowledge of her royal lover, it
was scarcely possible she could hide it from observation of his
mistress. And the latter, knowing the extent to which fair
Frances Stuart shared his majesty's heart, and being likewise
aware of the coldness with which his protestations were by her
received, scorned the king and detested the maid. Lady
Castlemaine therefore resolved to use her knowledge of Miss
Stuart's contemplated marriage, for purpose of enraging the
jealousy of the one, and destroying the influence of the other.
In order to accomplish such desirable ends she quietly awaited
her opportunity. This came in due time.
It happened one evening when his majesty had been visiting
Frances Stuart in her apartments, and had returned to his own in
a condition of ill-humour and disappointment, the countess, who
had been some days out of favour, suddenly presented herself
before him, and in a bantering tone, accompanied by ironical
smiles, addressed him.
"I hope," said she, "I may be allowed to pay you my homage,
although the angelic Stuart has forbidden you to see me at my own
house. I will not make use of reproaches and expostulations
which would disgrace myself; still less will I endeavour to
excuse frailties which nothing can justify, since your constancy
for me deprives me of all defence, considering I am the only
person you have honoured with your tenderness, who has made
herself unworthy of it by ill-conduct.
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