which she had been guilty in bringing her so constantly into his
presence, and moreover to fear her influence over his fickle
heart. Accordingly she refused to invite the maid of honour to
her apartments, or entertain her at her assemblies. At this the
king became exceedingly wrathful, and told my lady he would not
enter her rooms again unless Miss Stuart was there. Thereon the
charming countess flew into a violent passion, roundly abused his
majesty, called her carriage, and protesting she would never
again enter the palace of Whitehall, drove off in a rage to the
residence of her uncle at Richmond. The monarch had not expected
his words would cause such fury, nor did he desire her departure;
and no sooner had she gone than he began to regret her absence
and long for her return.

Therefore next morning he made pretence of hunting, and turning
his horse's head in the direction of Richmond, called on his
mistress, when he apologized to and made friends with her. She
therefore returned and exercised her old ascendancy over him once
more. It is probable his majesty was the more anxious to pacify
her, from the fact that she was now far advanced in her third
pregnancy; for two months later she gave birth to her second son,
who was baptized Henry Fitzroy, and subsequently created Duke of
Grafton.

And it happened about this time, that the queen, falling ill,
drew near unto death. On Friday, the 14th October, 1663, a fever
took possession of her, when the doctors were summoned, her head
shaven, and pigeons put to her feet. Her illness, however,
rapidly increased, and believing she was about to leave a world
in which her young life had known so much sorrow, she made her