delighted in playing blind man's buff, and was never more happy
than when building castles of cards. At this latter amusement
she continually employed herself whilst the deepest play was
taking place in her apartments; being always attended by groups
of courtiers, who were either attracted by the charm of her
beauty, or were eager to make court through her favour. As she
sat upon the floor, intent on her favourite occupation, they on
their knees handed her cards, traced out designs for her, or
built elaborate structures rivalling her own.

Amongst those who attended her in this manner was the gay,
graceful, and profligate Duke of Buckingham, who became enamoured
of her loveliness. Not only did he raise the most wonderful of
card mansions for her delight, but having a good voice, and she
possessing a passion for music, he invented songs and sung them
to pleasure her. Moreover, he told her the wittiest stories,
turned the courtiers into the greatest ridicule for her
entertainment, and made her acquainted with the most diverting
scandals. Finally, he professed his ardent love for her; but at
this the fair Stuart either felt, or feigned, intense
astonishment, and so repulsed him that he abandoned the pursuit
of an amour over which he had wasted so much time, and
thenceforth deprived himself of her company.

His attentions were, however, soon replaced by those of the Earl
of Arlington, a lord of the bedchamber, and a man of grave
address and great ambition. Owing to this latter trait his
lordship was desirous of winning the good graces of Miss Stuart
in the present, in hopes of governing his majesty in the future,
when she became the king's mistress. But these sage and