For this ball the princess had
"attired herself very richly with all her jewels;" but her whole
appearance betrayed a sadness she could not suppress in the
present, and which the future did not promise to dispel. For
already the bridegroom, whom the maids of honour had dubbed the
"Dutch monster" and "Caliban," had commenced to reveal glimpses
of his unhandsome character; "and the court began to whisper of
his sullennesse or clownishnesse, that he took no notice of his
princess at the playe and balle, nor came to see her at St.
James', the day preceding that designed for their departure."
The wind being easterly, they were detained in England until the
19th, when, accompanied by the king, the Duke of York, and
several persons of quality, they went in barges from Whitehall to
Greenwich. The princess was sorely grieved, and wept
unceasingly. When her tutor "kneeled down and kissed her gown"
at parting, she could not find words to speak, but turned her
back that she might hide her tears; and, later on, when the queen
"would have comforted her with the consideration of her own
condition when she came into England, and had never till then
seen the king, her highness replied, 'But, madam, you came into
England; but I am going out of England.'"
CHAPTER XVII.
The threatened storm bursts.--History of Titus Oates and Dr.
Tonge.--A dark scheme concocted.--The king is warned of danger.
--The narrative of a horrid plot laid before the treasurer.
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