The first transports which rage inspires on such
occasions are dangerous. Miss Stuart's window was very
convenient for a sudden revenge, the Thames flowing close beneath
it; he cast his eyes upon it, and seeing those of the king more
incensed than fired with indignation than he thought his nature
capable of, he made a profound bow, and retired without replying
a single word to the vast torrent of threats and menaces that
were poured upon him.
"Miss Stuart having a little recovered from her first surprise,
instead of justifying herself, began to talk in the most
extravagant manner, and said everything that was most capable to
inflame the king's passion and resentment: that if she were not
allowed to receive visits from a man of the Duke of Richmond's
rank, who came with honourable intentions, she was a slave in a
free country; that she knew of no engagement that could prevent
her from disposing of her hand as she thought proper; but,
however, if this were not permitted her in his dominions, she did
not believe that there was any power on earth that could hinder
her from going over to France, and throwing herself into a
Convent, to enjoy there that tranquillity which was denied her in
his court. The king, sometimes furious with anger, sometimes
relenting at her tears, and sometimes terrified at her menaces,
was so greatly agitated that he knew not how to answer either the
nicety of a creature who wanted to act the part of Lucretia under
his own eye, or the assurance with which she had the effrontery
to reproach him.
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