of it by ill conduct.  I come now, therefore, with no other intent than to comfort and to condole with you upon the affliction and grief into which the coldness, or new-fashioned chastity of the inhuman Stewart have reduced your majesty.”  These words were attended by a fit of laughter, as unnatural and strained as it was insulting and immoderate, which completed the king’s impatience:  he had, indeed, expected that some bitter jest would follow this preamble; but he did not suppose she would have given herself such blustering airs, considering the terms they were then upon; and, as he was preparing to answer her:  “be not offended,” said she, “that I take the liberty of laughing at the gross manner in which you are imposed upon:  I cannot bear to see that such particular affectation should make you the jest of your own court, and that you should be ridiculed with such impunity.  I know that the affected Stuart has sent you away, under pretence of some indisposition, or perhaps some scruple of conscience; and I come to acquaint you that the Duke of Richmond will soon be with her, if he is not there already.  I do not desire you to believe what I say, since it might be suggested either through resentment or envy:  only follow me to her apartment, either that, no longer trusting calumny and malice, you may honour her with a just preference, if I accuse her falsely; or, if my information be true, you may no longer be the dupe of a pretended prude, who makes you act so unbecoming and ridiculous a part.”

As she ended this speech, she took him by the hand, while he was yet undecided, and pulled him away towards her rival’s apartments.  Chiffinch being in her interest, Miss Stewart could have no warning of the visit; and Babiani, who owed all to the Duchess of Cleveland, and who served her admirably well upon this occasion, came and told her that the Duke of Richmond had just gone into Miss Stewart’s chamber.  It was in the middle of a little gallery, which, through a 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,