Moreover, he hinted he could a tale unfold regarding her
behaviour. At this the duke became impatient to hear what his
good friend had to say; whereon that valiant gentleman boasted,
with an air of bravery and truth, of certain gallantries which
had passed between him and the lady. On hearing this, James,
being credulous was sorely depressed. He ceased to visit his
wife, withdrew from general company; and so well did Sir
Charles's scheme succeed, that before the queen's arrival, the
duke had decided on denying his marriage with one who had brought
him dishonour. The king, however, put no faith in these
aspersions; he felt sure "there was a wicked conspiracy set on
foot by villains."

It therefore happened the queen was spared the trouble she had
anticipated with her son; indeed, he humbly begged her pardon for
"having placed his affections so unequally, of which he was sure
there was now an end"--a confession most gratifying to her
majesty. The duke's bitter depression continued, and was soon
increased by the death of his sister, the Princess of Orange,
which was occasioned by smallpox on the 23rd of December, 1660.
In her last agonies Lord Clarendon says "she expressed a dislike
of the proceedings in that affair, to which she had contributed
too much." This fact, together with his royal highness's
unhappiness, had due weight on Sir Charles Berkley, who began to
repent of the calumnies he had spoken. Accordingly, the "lewd
informer" went to the duke, and sought to repair the evil he had
wrought. Believing, he said, such a marriage would be the
absolute ruin of his royal highness, he had made the accusation
which he now confessed to be false, and without the least ground;
for he was very confident of the lady's honour and virtue. He