old scores, of showing to her Royal lover the kind of woman for whom he
had supplanted her, and of reinstating herself in his good graces. One
night, as he returned in an evil temper from a fruitless visit to Miss
Stuart's apartments, from which he had been sent away on some frivolous
pretext, he was accosted by my Lady Castlemaine, who, with ill-concealed
triumph, told him that at the moment _La belle Stuart_ turned him away
from her door, she was actually dallying with his new and contemptible
rival, the Duke of Richmond, at the other side of it.

Charles was incredulous, furious at the suggestion. "Come with me," Lady
Castlemaine answered, "and I will prove that I am telling you the simple
truth;" and taking his hand she led him exultantly down the gallery from
his apartments to the threshold of Miss Stuart's door, where, with a
sweeping curtsy and an invitation to enter, she left him. On throwing
open the door, to quote Hamilton, the King

"found Miss Stuart in bed, 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
King, who of all men was usually one of the most mild
and gentle, testified his resentment to the Duke of
Richmond in such terms as he had never used before. The
Duke was speechless and almost petrified; he saw his
master and King justly irritated. The first transports
which rage inspires on such occasions are dangerous. Miss
Stuart's window was very convenient for a sudden revenge,
the Thames flowing close beneath it. He cast his eyes
upon it, and seeing those of the King more incensed and
fired with indignation than he thought his nature capable
of, he made a profound bow, and retired without replying