The maid of honour's
servants, surprised at his majesty's return, were unable to warn
their mistress without his knowledge; whilst one of them, in pay
of the countess, found means of secretly intimating to her that
the Duke of Richmond was already in Miss Stuart's chamber. Lady
Castlemaine, having with an air of exultation led the king down
the gallery from his apartments to the threshold of Miss Stuart's
door, made him a low courtesy savouring more of irony than
homage, bade him good-night, and with a subtle smile promptly
retired.
The scene which followed is best painted by Hamilton's pen. "It
was near midnight; the king on his way met the chambermaids, who
respectfully opposed his entrance, and, in a very low voice,
whispered his majesty that Miss Stuart had been very ill since he
left her; but that being gone to bed, she was, God be thanked, in
a very fine sleep. 'That I must see,' said the king, pushing her
back, who had posted herself in his way. He found Miss Stuart in
bed, indeed, but far from being asleep; the Duke of Richmond was
seated at her pillow, and in all probability was less inclined to
sleep than herself. The perplexity of the one party, and the
rage of the other, were such as may easily be imagined upon such
a surprise. The king, who of all men was one of the most mild
and gentle, testified his resentment to the Duke of Richmond in
such terms as he had never before used. The duke was speechless
and almost petrified; he saw his master and his king justly
irritated.
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