private door, led from the
king's apartments to those of his mistresses. The Duchess of Cleveland
wished him good night, as he entered her rival's chamber, and retired,
in order to wait the success of the adventure, of which Babiani, who
attended the king, was charged to come and give her an account.

It was near midnight: the king, in his way, met his mistress's
chamber-maids, who respectfully opposed his entrance, and in a very low
voice, whispered his majesty that Miss Stewart 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 Stewart 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 Stewart, 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 and 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 Stewart, 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 was 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,
some