Long enamoured of her, his Grace saw here his
opportunity, and he seized it. Consequently he was now in
constant attendance upon her, but very secretly, since he feared
the King's displeasure.
My Lady Castlemaine, having discovered this, and being well
served in the matter by Chiffinch, spied her opportunity. It came
one cold night towards the end of February of that year 1667.
Charles, going below at a late hour to visit Miss Stewart, when
he judged that she would be alone, was informed by her maid that
Miss was not receiving, a headache compelling her to keep her
room.
His Majesty returned above in a very ill-humour, to find himself
confronted in his own apartments by my Lady Castlemaine.
Chiffinch had introduced her by the back-stairs entrance. Charles
stiffened at sight of her.
"I hope I may be allowed to pay my homage," says she, on a note
of irony, "although the angelic Stewart has forbid you to see me
at my own house. I come to condole with you upon the affliction
and grief into which the new-fashioned chastity of the inhuman
Stewart has reduced your Majesty."
"You are pleased to be amused, ma'am," says Charles frostily.
"I will not," she returned him, "make use of reproaches which
would disgrace myself; still less will I endeavour to excuse
frailties in myself which nothing can justify, since your
constancy for me deprives me of all defence.
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