me thing,
which they did not doubt was--rage and despair. The Duke of York said to
them, with that serene and pleasant countenance with which men generally
announce good news: "As you are the two men of the court whom I most
esteem, I am desirous you should first have the honour of paying your
compliments to the Duchess of York: there she is."

Surprise was of no use, and astonishment was unseasonable on the present
occasion: they were, however, so greatly possessed with both surprise
and astonishment, that in order to conceal it, they immediately fell
on their knees to kiss her hand, which she gave to them with as much
majesty as if she had been used to it all her life.

The next day the news was made public, and the whole court was eager to
pay her that respect, from a sense of duty, which in the end became very
sincere.

The petits-maitres who had spoken against her, seeing their intentions
disappointed, were not a little embarrassed. Women are seldom accustomed
to forgive injuries of this nature; and, if they promise themselves the
pleasure of revenge, when they gain the power they seldom forget it: in
the present case, however, the fears of these petits-maitres were their
only punishment.

The Duchess of York, being fully informed of all that was said in the
cabinet concerning her, instead of showing the least resentment, studied
to distinguish, by all manner of kindness and good offices, those who
had attacked her in so sensible a part; nor did she ever mention it to
them, but in order to praise their zeal, and to tell them that nothing
was a greater proof of the attachment of a man of honour, than his being
more solicitous for the interest of his friend or master, than for his
own reputation: a remarkable example of prudence and moderation, not
only for the fair sex, but even for those who value themselves most upon
their philosophy among the men.

The Duke of York, having quieted his conscience by the declaration of
his marriage, thought that he was entitled, by this generous effort, to
give way a little to his inconstancy: he therefore immediately seized
upon whatever he could first lay his hands upon: this was Lady Carnegy,
who had been in several other hands. She was still tolerably handsome,
and her disposition, naturally inclined to tenderness, did not oblige
her new lover long to languish. Everything coincided with their wishes
for some time: Lord Carnegy, her husband, was in Scotland; but his
father