Miss Stuart became known to the king, besought him to abandon his
addresses; but this advice did not at first sound pleasant to the
lover's ears. "Since the court has been in the country," said
he, "I have had a hundred opportunities of seeing her, which I
had not before. You know that the dishabille of the bath is a
great convenience for those ladies, who, strictly adhering to all
the rules of decorum, are yet desirous to display all their
charms and attractions. Miss Stuart is so fully acquainted with
the advantages she possesses over all other women, that it is
hardly possible to praise any lady at court for a well-turned
arm, and a fine leg but she is ever ready to dispute the point by
demonstration; and I really believe that, with a little address,
it would not be difficult to induce her to strip naked, without
ever reflecting upon what she was doing. After all, a man must
be very insensible to remain unconcerned and unmoved on such
happy occasions."

Hamilton was therefore not willing to renounce Miss Stuart, but
upon Grammont showing that attentions paid the lady would
certainly provoke the king's anger, he resolved on sacrificing
love to interest, and abandoning the company of the fair maid of
honour for evermore. The truth was, his majesty loved her
exceedingly, as was indeed evident, for he constantly sought her
presence, talked to her at the drawing-rooms as if no one else
were by, and kissed her "to the observation of all the world."
But though she allowed Charles such liberties, she refused to
become his mistress, notwithstanding the splendid settlements and
high titles with which the monarch engaged to reward the
sacrifice of her virtue. And so, though a king, it was not given
him to be obeyed in all. And though generally loved for his easy