ngton had an only daughter, named Isabella.]

His intention, which we mentioned before, of establishing himself in the
confidence of Miss Stewart, no longer occupied his thoughts: she now
was of opinion that she was capable of being the mistress of her own
conduct: she had done all that was necessary to inflame the king's
passions, without exposing her virtue by granting the last favours;
but the eagerness of a passionate lover, blessed with favourable
opportunities, is difficult to withstand, and still more difficult to
vanquish; and Miss Stewart's virtue was almost exhausted, when the queen
was attacked with a violent fever, which soon reduced her to extreme
danger.

Then it was that Miss Stewart was greatly pleased with herself for the
resistance she had made, though she had paid dearly for it: a thousand
flattering hopes of greatness and glory filled her heart, and the
additional respect that was universally paid her, contributed not a
little to increase them. The queen was given over by her physicians: the
few Portuguese women that had not been sent back to their own country
filled the court with doleful cries; and the good nature of the king
was much affected with the situation in which he saw a princess, whom,
though he did not love her, yet he greatly esteemed. She loved him
tenderly, and thinking that it was the last time she should ever speak
to him, she told him, that the concern he showed for her death, was
enough to make her quit life with regret; but that not possessing charms
sufficient to merit his tenderness, she had at least the consolation in
dying to give place to a consort who might be more worthy of it, and to
whom heaven, perhaps, might grant a blessing that had been refused to
her. At these words, she bathed his hands with some tears, which he
thought would be her last: he mingled his own with hers; and without
supposing she would take him at his word, he conjured her to live for
his sake. She had never yet disobeyed him; and, however dangerous sudden
impulses may be, when one is between life and death, this transport
of joy, which might have proved fatal to her, saved her life, and the
king's wonderful tenderness had an effect, for which every person did
not thank heaven in the same manner.

Jermyn had now for some time been recovered of his wounds: however, Lady
Castlemaine, finding his health in as deplorable a condition as ever,
resolved to regain the king's heart, but in vain: for notwiths