DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.51519#0211
THE DUCHESS OF RICHMOND;
181
had never before been seen in England: it excited the admiration
of the whole court. The Queen, Lady Castlemaine, and Miss
Stewart, were each eager to be the first to exhibit themselves in
this wonderful caleche. The preference was given to Miss Stewart,
—a preference which, it was scandalously insinuated, cost the fair
lady some diminution of that immaculate purity upon which she
had hitherto piqued herself.
It may be said, in excuse for Miss Stewart, that her situation
was peculiar and difficult \ the King was armed with a power,
which, in those days, few thought of resisting; and either to free
herself from his pursuit; or anxious to be made a duchess on
reputable terms, she listened to the addresses of the Duke of Rich-
mond. Love (even by her own confession) had little to do with
this choice; the duke was merely a good-natured fool, addicted to
habitual intoxication; and with no one recommendation to a lady’s
grace but his high rank,, and his near relationship to the royal
family.
One evening, Lady Castlemaine, who kept paid spies to watch
all the movements of her dangerous rival, discovered that she had
an appointment with the Duke of Richmond, and instantly in-
formed the King, with the most insulting expressions, to whom,
and for whom, he was sacrificed. Driven by this female fury,
the King rushed to the apartment of Miss Stewart: her women
looked terrified, and denied him access, assuring him that their
lady had retired to rest, much indisposed, and unable to see him.
He pushed them aside, and forced his way rudely to her chamber.
On entering abruptly, he found the fair lady reclining on a couch,
and certainly neither indisposed nor asleep. The Duke of Rich-
mond was seated at her side. The inexpressible confusion of the
lovers, thus surprised, can only be imagined; and the King,
unable to restrain his rage, burst into a torrent of threats and
reproaches, which seemed to terrify the Duke much more than
they discomposed Miss Stewart. The room in which this scene
took place overlooked the river; he cast a glance at the window,
181
had never before been seen in England: it excited the admiration
of the whole court. The Queen, Lady Castlemaine, and Miss
Stewart, were each eager to be the first to exhibit themselves in
this wonderful caleche. The preference was given to Miss Stewart,
—a preference which, it was scandalously insinuated, cost the fair
lady some diminution of that immaculate purity upon which she
had hitherto piqued herself.
It may be said, in excuse for Miss Stewart, that her situation
was peculiar and difficult \ the King was armed with a power,
which, in those days, few thought of resisting; and either to free
herself from his pursuit; or anxious to be made a duchess on
reputable terms, she listened to the addresses of the Duke of Rich-
mond. Love (even by her own confession) had little to do with
this choice; the duke was merely a good-natured fool, addicted to
habitual intoxication; and with no one recommendation to a lady’s
grace but his high rank,, and his near relationship to the royal
family.
One evening, Lady Castlemaine, who kept paid spies to watch
all the movements of her dangerous rival, discovered that she had
an appointment with the Duke of Richmond, and instantly in-
formed the King, with the most insulting expressions, to whom,
and for whom, he was sacrificed. Driven by this female fury,
the King rushed to the apartment of Miss Stewart: her women
looked terrified, and denied him access, assuring him that their
lady had retired to rest, much indisposed, and unable to see him.
He pushed them aside, and forced his way rudely to her chamber.
On entering abruptly, he found the fair lady reclining on a couch,
and certainly neither indisposed nor asleep. The Duke of Rich-
mond was seated at her side. The inexpressible confusion of the
lovers, thus surprised, can only be imagined; and the King,
unable to restrain his rage, burst into a torrent of threats and
reproaches, which seemed to terrify the Duke much more than
they discomposed Miss Stewart. The room in which this scene
took place overlooked the river; he cast a glance at the window,