Sailing on the Thames.--Ball at Whitehall.--Petit soupers.--What
happened at Lady Gerrard's.--Lady Castlemaine quarrels with the
king.--Flight to Richmond.--The queen falls ill.--The king's
grief and remorse.--Her majesty speaks.--Her secret sorrow finds
voice in delirium.--Frances Stuart has hopes.--The queen
recovers.

CHAPTER X.

Notorious courtiers.--My Lord Rochester's satires.--Places a
watch on certain ladies of quality.--His majesty becomes
indignant.--Rochester retires to the country.--Dons a disguise
and returns to town.--Practises astrology.--Two maids of honour
seek adventure.--Mishaps which befell them.--Rochester forgiven.
--The Duke of Buckingham.--Lady Shrewsbury and her victims.--
Captain Howard's duel.--Lord Shrewsbury avenges his honour.--A
strange story.--Colonel Blood attempts an abduction.--Endeavours
to steal the regalia.--The king converses with him.

CHAPTER XI.

Terror falls upon the people.--Rumours of a plague.--A sign in
the heavens.--Flight from the capital.--Preparations against the
dreaded enemy.--Dr. Boghurst's testimony.--God's terrible voice
in the city.--Rules made by the lord mayor.--Massacre of
animals.--O, dire death!--Spread of the distemper.--Horrible
sights.--State of the deserted capital.--"Bring out your dead."
--Ashes to ashes.--Fires are lighted.--Relief of the poor.--The
mortality bills.