Miss Stewart, in order to obviate all injurious constructions that might be put upon the adventure of the preceding night, went and threw herself at the queen’s feet; where, acting the new part of an innocent Magdalen, she entreated her majesty’s forgiveness for all the sorrow and uneasiness she might have already occasioned her.  She told her majesty that a constant and sincere repentance had induced her to contrive all possible means for retiring from court:  that this reason had inclined her to receive the Duke of Richmond’s addresses, who had courted her a long time; but since this courtship had caused his disgrace, and had likewise raised a vast noise and disturbance, which perhaps might be turned to the prejudice of her reputation, she conjured her Majesty to take her under her protection, and endeavour to obtain the king’s permission for her to retire into a convent, to remove at once all those vexations and troubles her presence had innocently occasioned at court.  All this was accompanied with a proper deluge of tears.

It is a very agreeable spectacle to see a rival prostrate at our feet, entreating pardon, and at the same time justifying her conduct.  The queen’s heart not only relented, but she mingled her own tears with those of Miss Stewart.  After having raised her up, and most tenderly embraced her, she promised her all manner of favour and protection, either in her marriage, or in any other course she thought fit to pursue, and parted from her with the firm resolution to exert all her interest in her support; but, being a person of great judgment, the reflections which she afterwards made, induced her to change her opinion!

She knew that the king’s disposition was not capable of an obstinate constancy.  She therefore judged that absence would cure him, or that a new engagement would by degrees entirely efface the remembrance of Miss Stewart, and that, since she could not avoid having a rival, it was more desirable she should be one who had given such eminent proofs of her prudence and virtue.  Besides, she flattered herself that the king would ever think himself eternally obliged to her, for having opposed the retreat and marriage of a girl, whom at that time he loved to distraction.  This fine reasoning determined her conduct.  All her industry was employed in persuading Miss Stewart to abandon her schemes; and what is most extraordinary in this adventure, is, that, after having prevailed upon her to think no more either of the Duke of Richmond, or of a nunnery, she charged herself with the office of reconciling these two lovers.

Indeed it would have been a thousand pities if her negotiation had miscarried but she did not suffer this misfortune; for never were the king’s addresses so eager and passionate as after this peace, nor ever better received by the fair Stewart.