s with truth, that the same offer was made to
Mistress Stuart, now the Duchess of Richmond.

When Frances refused his Majesty's offer, which, probably, was made only
for the purpose of inducing her to trust him, he asked with ill-concealed
anger:--

"Do you refuse my offer because you are still thinking of Hamilton?"

"I would refuse it, your Majesty, were there no other man in the world,"
answered Frances, bowing and asking leave to withdraw.

When Frances told me of this extraordinary offer, I was convinced that
the king had no intention of fulfilling it, but it served to open my eyes
to the extent of his passion, and to assure me that he would use any
means in his power, however desperate, to gain his end. Frances was in
danger.

I also knew that if the king held Hamilton responsible for Frances's
obduracy, means would be found of putting him out of the way, if his
Majesty could but get hands on him. With this belief strong upon me, I
was not surprised when Frances came to me in great tribulation, within
a day or two, and said:--

"Cousin Ned, it is reported that Master Hamilton is still in London
and that he has avowed his intention to kill the king. The surgeon who
dressed his wounds is said to be responsible for the accusation. If he
is found, he certainly will die, for the proof will be at hand, false or
true. The king told me as much, and offered to pardon Master Hamilton if
I would ask it in the proper spirit. But I refused, saying that I did not
care a farthing what he did respecting Hamilton. You must find him, Baron
Ned! Find him at once and give him warning!"

"I feel sure that Betty knows where he is," I answered. "I'll go to her
to-morrow."

"Yes, she may know, and I would save him if I could," answered Frances,
trying hard to hold back the tears. "I wronged him cruelly, and now I
fear it is too late to make amends. I can only moan and weep, and long
to ask him to forgive me and to tell him that I am not the creature he
thinks I am. I would speak plainly to him for once of what I am and of
what I feel for him, and then I am ready to part from him forever and to
marry Tyrconnel or any one else who will give me wealth."

The following day Frances asked and received permission from the duchess
to spend the day with Sir Richard. I offered to accompany her, but she
refused so emphatically that I suspected there was a purpose in her mind
over and above a mere visit to her father's house.

I remember