helpless foreigner and forsaken wife was reduced increased day by
day, her gloom deepened hour by hour, until, worn out by the
unequal conflict, her spirit broke. "At last," says Lord
Clarendon, "when it was least expected or suspected, the queen on
a sudden let herself fall, first to conversation, and then to
familiarity, and even, in the same instant, to a confidence with
the lady; was merry with her in public, talked kindly of her, and
in private used no lady more friendly."

From that hour her majesty never interfered with the king's
amours, and never again did a quarrel rise between them even to
the day of his death.



CHAPTER VII.

Their majesties arrive at Whitehall.--My Lady Castlemaine a
spectator.--Young Mr. Crofts.--New arrivals at court.--The
Hamilton family.--The Chevalier de Grammont.--Mrs. Middleton and
Miss Kirke.--At the queen's ball--La belle Hamilton.--The queen
mother at Somerset House.--The Duke of Monmouth's marriage.--Fair
Frances Stuart.--Those who court her favour.--The king's passion.

On the 23rd of August, 1662, their majesties journeyed from
Hampton Court to the palace of Whitehall by water. The gay and
goodly procession formed on that occasion has been described as
"the most magnificent triumph that ever floated on, the Thames."
First came barges belonging to city companies, beginning with the
mercers and grocers, most of them being attended with a pageant,