royalty restored-第45节
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den revenge； the Thames flowing close beneath it； he cast his eyes upon it； and seeing those of the king more incensed than 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 Stuart 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 were 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； sometimes furious with anger； sometimes relenting at her tears； and sometimes terrified at her menaces； was so greatly agitated that he knew not how to answer either the nicety of a creature who wanted to act the part of Lucretia under his own eye； or the assurance with which she had the effrontery to reproach him。 In this suspense love had almost entirely vanquished all his resentments； and had nearly induced him to throw himself upon his knees； and entreat pardon for the injury he had done her； when she desired him to retire； and leave her in repose； at least for the remainder of that night； without offending those who had either accompanied him； or conducted him to her apartments； by a longer visit。 This impertinent request provoked and irritated him to the highest degree： he went out abruptly； vowing never to see her more； and passed the most restless and uneasy night he had ever experienced since his restoration。〃
Next morning； his majesty sent orders to the Duke of Richmond to quit the court； and never appear again in his presence。 His grace； however； stayed not to receive this message； having betaken himself with all possible speed into the country。 Miss Stuart； who likewise feared the king's resentment； hastened to the queen； and throwing herself at her majesty's feet； entreated forgiveness for the pain and uneasiness she had caused her in the past； and besought her care and protection in the future。
She then laid bare her intentions of marrying the Duke of Richmond； who had loved her long； and was anxious to wed her soon； but since the discovery of his addresses had caused his banishment； and created disturbances prejudicial to her good name； she begged the queen would obtain his majesty's consent to her retiring from the vexations of a court to the tranquillity of a convent。 The queen raised her up； mingled her tears with those of the troubled maid； and promised to use her endeavours towards averting the king's displeasure。
On consideration； however； the fair Stuart did not wait to hear his majesty's reproaches； or receive his entreaties； for the duke； being impatient to gain his promised bride； quietly returned to town； and secretly communicated with her。 It was therefore agreed between them she should steal away from the palace； meet him at the 〃Bear at the Bridge Foot；〃 situated on the Southwark side of the river； where he would have a coach awaiting her； in order they might ride away to his residence at Cobham Hall； near Gravesend； and then be legally and happily united in the holy bonds of matrimony。 And all fell out as had been arranged： the time being the month of March； 1667。
Now when the king discovered her flight； his anger knew no bounds； though it sought relief in uttering many violent threats against the duke； and in sending word to the duchess he would see her no more。 In answer to this message； she； with some show of spirit； returned him the jewels he had given her； principal amongst which were a necklace of pearls； valued at over a thousand pounds； and a pair of diamond pendants of rare lustre。
Neither she nor her husband paid much heed to the royal menaces； for before a year elapsed they both returned to town； and took up their residence at Somerset House。 Here； as Pepys records； she kept a great court； 〃she being visited for her beauty's sake by people； as the queen is at nights： and they say also she is likely to go to court again and there put my Lady Castlemaine's nose out of joint。 God knows that would make a great turn。〃 But to such proposals as were made regarding her return to Whitehall； her husband would not pay heed； and she therefore remained a stranger to its drawing…rooms for some time longer。 And when two years later she appeared there； her beauty had lost much of its famed lustre； for meantime she was overtaken by smallpox； a scourge ever prevalent in the capital。 During her illness the king paid her several visits； and was sorely grieved that the loveliness he so much prized should be marred by foul disease。 But on her recovery； the disfigurement she suffered scarce lessened his admiration； and by no means abated his love； which seemed to have gained fresh force from the fact of its being interrupted awhile。
This soon became perceptible to all； and rumour whispered that the young duchess would shortly return to Whitehall in a position which she had declined before marriage。 And amongst other stories concerning the king's love for her； it was common talk that one fair evening in May； when he had ordered his coach to be ready that he might take an airing in the park； he； on a sudden impulse； ran down the broad steps leading from his palace gardens to the riverside。 Here； entering a boat alone； he rowed himself adown the placid river now crossed by early shadows； until he came to Somerset House； where his lady…love dwelt； and finding the garden…door locked； he； in his impatience to be with her； clambered over the wall and sought her。 Two months after the occurrence of this incident； the young duchess was appointed a lady of the bedchamber to the queen； and therefore had apartments at Whitehall。 There was little doubt now entertained she any longer rejected his majesty's love； and in order to remove all uncertainties on the point which might arise in her husband's mind； the king one night； when he had taken over much wine； boasted to the duke of her complaisancy。 Lord Dartmouth； who tells this story； says this happened 〃at Lord Townshend's； in Norfolk； as my uncle told me； who was present。〃 Soon after his grace accepted an honourable exile as ambassador to Denmark； in which country he died。
During the absence of the Duchess of Richmond； my Lady Castlemaine； then in the uninterrupted possession of power； led his majesty a sorry life。 Her influence； indeed； seemed to increase with time； until her victim became a laughing…stock to the heartless； and an object of pity to the wise。 Mr。 Povy； whose office as a member of the Tangier Commission brought him into continual contact with the court； and whose love of gossip made him observant of all that passed around him； in telling of 〃the horrid effeminacy of the king；〃 said that 〃upon any falling out between my Lady Castlemaine's nurse and her woman； my lady hath often said she would make the king make them friends； and they would be friends and be quietwhich the king had been fain to do。〃 Nor did such condescension on his majesty's part incline his mistress to treat him with more respect； for in the quarrels which now became frequent betwixt them she was wont to term him a fool； in reply to the kingly assertion that she was a jade。
The disturbances which troubled the court were principally caused by her infidelities to him； and his subsequent jealousies of her。 Chief among those who shared her intrigues at this time was Harry Jermyn； with whom she renewed her intimacy from time to time； without the knowledge of his majesty。 The risks she frequently encountered in pursuit of her amours abounded in comedy。 Speaking of Harry Jermyn； Pepys tells us the king 〃had like to have taken him abed with her； but that he was fain to creep under the bed into the closet。〃 It being now rumoured that Jermyn was about to wed my Lady Falmouth； the countess's love for one whom she might for ever lose received a fresh impulse； which made her reckless of concealment。 The knowledge of her passion； therefore； coming to Charles's ears； a bitter feud sprang up between them； during which violent threats and abusive language were freely exchanged。
At this time my lady was far gone with child； a fact that soon came bubbling up to the angry surface of their discourse； for the king avowed he would not own it as his offspring。 On hearing this； her passion became violent beyond all decent bounds。 〃God damn me； but you shall own it！〃 said she； her cheeks all crimson and her eyes afire； and moreover she added； 〃she should have it christened in the Chapel Royal； and owned as his； or otherwise she would bring it to the gallery in Whitehall； and dash its brains out before his face。〃
After she had hectored him almost out of his wits； she fled in a state o
