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s 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。 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。 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。 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。 In this suspense love had almost entirely vanquished all his resentments； and had nearly induced him to throw himself upon his knees； and entreat pardon for the injury he had done her； when she desired him to retire； and leave her in repose； at least for the remainder of that night； without offending those who had either accompanied him； or conducted him to her apartments； by a longer visit。 This impertinent request provoked and irritated him to the highest degree： he went out abruptly； vowing never to see her more； and passed the most restless and uneasy night he had ever experienced since his restoration。〃
Next morning； his majesty sent orders to the Duke of Richmond to quit the court； and never appear again in his presence。 His grace； however； stayed not to receive this message； having betaken himself with all possible speed into the country。 Miss Stuart； who likewise feared the king's resentment； hastened to the queen； and throwing herself at her majesty's feet； entreated forgiveness for the pain and uneasiness she had caused her in the past； and besought her care and protection in the future。
She then laid bare her intentions of marrying the Duke of Richmond； who had loved her long； and was anxious to wed her soon； but since the discovery of his addresses had caused his banishment； and created disturbances prejudicial to her good name； she begged the queen would obtain his majesty's consent to her retiring from the vexations of a court to the tranquillity of a convent。 The queen raised her up； mingled her tears with those of the troubled maid； and promised to use her endeavours towards averting the king's displeasure。
On consideration； however； the fair Stuart did not wait to hear his majesty's reproac