The Duke of Buckingham, whose ears were continually deafened with descriptions of Lady Shrewsbury’s merits, resolved at last to examine into the truth of the matter himself.  As soon as he had made the experiment, he was satisfied; and, though he fancied that fame did not exceed the truth, yet this intrigue began in such a manner, that it was generally believed its duration would be short, considering, the fickleness of both parties, and the vivacity with which they had engaged in it:  nevertheless, no amour in England ever continued so long.

The imprudent Killegrew, who could not be satisfied without rivals, was obliged, in the end, to be satisfied without a mistress.  This he bore very impatiently; but so far was Lady Shrewsbury from hearkening to, or affording any redress for the grievances at first complained of, that she pretended even not to know him.  His spirit could not brook such treatment; and without ever considering that he was the author of his own disgrace, he let loose all his abusive eloquence against her ladyship:  he attacked her with the most bitter invectives from head to foot:  he drew a frightful picture of her conduct; and turned all her personal charms, which he used to extol, into defects.  He was privately warned of the inconveniences to which these declamations might subject him, but despised the advice, and, persisting, he soon had reason to repent it.

As he was returning one evening from the Duke of York’s apartments at St. James’s, three passes with a sword were made at him through his chair, one of which went entirely through his arm.  Upon this, he was sensible of the danger to which his intemperate tongue had exposed him, over and above the loss of his mistress.  The assassins made their escape across the Park, not doubting but they had dispatched him.

Killegrew thought that all complaints would be useless; for what redress from justice could he expect for an attempt of which his wounds were his only evidence?  And, besides, he was convinced that if he began a prosecution founded upon appearances and conjectures, the parties concerned would take the shortest and most effectual means to put a stop to all inquiries upon the subject, and that their second attempt would not prove ineffectual.  Being desirous, therefore, of deserving mercy from those who had endeavoured to assassinate him, he no longer continued his satires, and said not a word of the adventure.  The Duke of Buckingham and Lady Shrewsbury remained for a long period both happy and contented.  Never before had her constancy been of so long a duration; nor had he ever been so submissive and respectful a lover.