I come now, therefore,
with no other intent than to comfort and condole with you upon
the affliction and grief into which the coldness or new-fashioned
chastity of the inhuman Stuart has reduced your majesty."
Having delivered herself of this speech she laughed loud and
heartily, as if vastly amused at the tenour of her words; and
then before the impatient monarch had time to reply, continued in
the same tone, with quickening breath and flashing eyes, "Be not
offended that I take the liberty of laughing at the gross manner
in which you are imposed upon; I cannot bear to see that such
particular affection should make you the jest of your own court,
and that you should be ridiculed with such impunity. I know that
the affected Stuart has sent you away under pretence of some
indisposition, or perhaps some scruple of conscience; and I come
to acquaint you that the Duke of Richmond will soon be with her,
if he is not there already. I do not desire you to believe what
I say, since it might be suggested either through resentment or
envy. Only follow me to her apartment, either that, no longer
trusting calumny and malice you may honour her with a just
preference, if I accuse her falsely; or, if my information be
true, you may no longer be the dupe of a pretended prude, who
makes you act so unbecoming and ridiculous a part."
The king, overwhelmed with astonishment, was irresolute in
action; but Lady Castlemaine, determined on not being deprived of
her anticipated triumph, took him by the hand and forcibly pulled
him towards Miss Stuart's apartments.
Pages:
253
254
255
256
257
258
259
260
261
262
263
264
265
266
267
268
269
270
271
272
273
274
275
276
277