登陆注册
14195800000078

第78章 CHAPTER XIII.(3)

The scene which followed is best painted by Hamilton's pen. "It was near midnight; the king on his way met the chambermaids, who respectfully opposed his entrance, and, in a very low voice, whispered his majesty that Miss Stuart had been very ill since he left her; but that being gone to bed, she was, God be thanked, in a very fine sleep. 'That I must see,' said the king, pushing her back, who had posted herself in his way. He found Miss Stuart in bed, indeed, but far from being asleep; the Duke of Richmond was seated at her pillow, and in all probability was less inclined to sleep than herself. The perplexity of the one party, and the rage of the other, were such as may easily be imagined upon such a surprise. The king, who of all men was one of the most mild and gentle, testified his resentment to the Duke of Richmond in such terms as he had never before used. The duke was speechless and almost petrified; he saw his master and his king justly irritated. The first transports which rage inspires on such occasions are dangerous. Miss Stuart's window was very convenient for a sudden revenge, the Thames flowing close beneath it; he cast his eyes upon it, and seeing those of the king more incensed than fired with indignation than he thought his nature capable of, he made a profound bow, and retired without replying a single word to the vast torrent of threats and menaces that were poured upon him.

"Miss Stuart having a little recovered from her first surprise, instead of justifying herself, began to talk in the most extravagant manner, and said everything that was most capable to inflame the king's passion and resentment: that if she were not allowed to receive visits from a man of the Duke of Richmond's rank, who came with honourable intentions, she was a slave in a free country; that she knew of no engagement that could prevent her from disposing of her hand as she thought proper; but, however, if this were not permitted her in his dominions, she did not believe that there was any power on earth that could hinder her from going over to France, and throwing herself into a Convent, to enjoy there that tranquillity which was denied her in his court. The king, sometimes furious with anger, sometimes relenting at her tears, and sometimes terrified at her menaces, was so greatly agitated that he knew not how to answer either the nicety of a creature who wanted to act the part of Lucretia under his own eye, or the assurance with which she had the effrontery to reproach him. In this suspense love had almost entirely vanquished all his resentments, and had nearly induced him to throw himself upon his knees, and entreat pardon for the injury he had done her, when she desired him to retire, and leave her in repose, at least for the remainder of that night, without offending those who had either accompanied him, or conducted him to her apartments, by a longer visit. This impertinent request provoked and irritated him to the highest degree: he went out abruptly, vowing never to see her more, and passed the most restless and uneasy night he had ever experienced since his restoration."Next morning, his majesty sent orders to the Duke of Richmond to quit the court, and never appear again in his presence. His grace, however, stayed not to receive this message, having betaken himself with all possible speed into the country. Miss Stuart, who likewise feared the king's resentment, hastened to the queen, and throwing herself at her majesty's feet, entreated forgiveness for the pain and uneasiness she had caused her in the past, and besought her care and protection in the future.

She then laid bare her intentions of marrying the Duke of Richmond, who had loved her long, and was anxious to wed her soon; but since the discovery of his addresses had caused his banishment, and created disturbances prejudicial to her good name, she begged the queen would obtain his majesty's consent to her retiring from the vexations of a court to the tranquillity of a convent. The queen raised her up, mingled her tears with those of the troubled maid, and promised to use her endeavours towards averting the king's displeasure.

On consideration, however, the fair Stuart did not wait to hear his majesty's reproaches, or receive his entreaties; for the duke, being impatient to gain his promised bride, quietly returned to town, and secretly communicated with her. It was therefore agreed between them she should steal away from the palace, meet him at the "Bear at the Bridge Foot," situated on the Southwark side of the river, where he would have a coach awaiting her, in order they might ride away to his residence at Cobham Hall, near Gravesend, and then be legally and happily united in the holy bonds of matrimony. And all fell out as had been arranged: the time being the month of March, 1667.

Now when the king discovered her flight, his anger knew no bounds, though it sought relief in uttering many violent threats against the duke, and in sending word to the duchess he would see her no more. In answer to this message, she, with some show of spirit, returned him the jewels he had given her, principal amongst which were a necklace of pearls, valued at over a thousand pounds, and a pair of diamond pendants of rare lustre.

同类推荐
  • 钟吕传道集

    钟吕传道集

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 奇门遁甲统宗

    奇门遁甲统宗

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 重刊汾阳和尚语录

    重刊汾阳和尚语录

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 周生烈子

    周生烈子

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 锦江禅灯目录

    锦江禅灯目录

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
热门推荐
  • 先哲医话

    先哲医话

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 风碑

    风碑

    (男)在2058年人类几乎是一个要灭迹的种族。原因是长期的内战,乱采导致能源匮乏,地壳也很不稳定。经常出现火上喷发,海啸,地震这内的自然灾害。再加上全球变暖,导致冰上融化海水上涨了不少。有个叫日本的国家,现在就彻底的被淹没了。(女)还有水污染,大气污染,核爆炸污染这些污染导致森林的动物不断变异,最后这些动物也开始攻击人类了。其次就是2030年的外星入侵。这不得不使人类的生存空间越来越小。(男)但经过科学家的不断研究在2058年人类拥有了魔力,st病毒。人类在注入st病毒后部分人
  • 空门桃花艳

    空门桃花艳

    救下一个女人,逐渐发展关系到谈婚论嫁……但是,他心中的不安是什么?意外来临,那是穿越,还是前尘?
  • 岁月忧伤的痕迹

    岁月忧伤的痕迹

    作品从傅剑南与闫锦雯的校园相遇,到因为特殊的家庭背景,两人从敌对状态到慢慢相逢、相恋而最终无奈分开,令人扼腕。其间,还穿插了与他们相关的另外两对情侣的大故事,剧中的各个人物之间发生的一系列的误会让人觉得真实可信,又在心里感叹命运的捉弄。
  • 穿越实记

    穿越实记

    第一个古代历史世界是低神低武世界,主角韩浩从第二个世界骑马与砍杀这个游戏世界招兵买马来平定第一个世界……初期主角需要两个世界来回倒,可能看的会纠结……
  • 总裁暖宠贴心妻

    总裁暖宠贴心妻

    【绝宠1v1,放心入坑】民政局门口“你带我来这儿干嘛?”“进去敢不敢?”“为什么不敢!”苏筱筱又想了想,“但是我又不结婚,进去干嘛,离婚?可是我也没结过婚啊。”“九块九,我请你。”糊里糊涂的脸盲症患者苏筱筱一夜睡了a市最具钱权为一身的男人江禹墨。没想到一招中标,怀了仨!!重拾记忆的她带着江禹墨和自家三个宝宝终定一生。
  • 你调香,我调心

    你调香,我调心

    原本,我觉得26岁的自己混得不错——事业小有成就,还成功追上男神,过着幸福的小日子;但一场电梯事故,我和高子谕相遇后,一切平静和满足被打破——他是爱我的,但这种爱,却令我无地自容,毫无尊严,几近窒息!我用了很多方式表达我恨他,甚至陷害他,一切只为摆脱他,可是,可是……当他真的在我世界里消失干净,我却食不知味、夜不能寐……嗯,这就是我的故事,和调香师男人不得不说的那点破事儿,不完美的爱情,始终还是爱情。
  • 呆萌公主:上仙你别走

    呆萌公主:上仙你别走

    她是天界公主,他是冷漠上仙。她为他数次以身犯险,驱灾解难,他亦一次次推开她。她与魔界少主灵境定下婚约,某男却来抢婚?“你是我的,一辈子也别想逃掉!”她转身拂开他的手。他一怒之下将她推倒,“女人,我说过了,你只能是我的!”情敌来临,“男人,放开我的女人!”某男冷笑一声,“不服?来战!”
  • 一起走过的校园生活

    一起走过的校园生活

    “你也喜欢他?”张菡问。“又不是只有你一个人能喜欢他?”我说。“那你们共同努力吧!”不知道从哪里冒出来的惠芳说。“你喜欢的人,貌似情敌更多哦!”我故意大声说。“别这样啊。。。。。这么大声::”
  • 绝傲盛后

    绝傲盛后

    一次意外穿越,造就一段奇缘。星月辰含着泪远望悬崖:“我不会为一个不爱我的人付出一切。所以也不会为他死。“俗话说,有爱才有恨,我对你根本没有爱何来的爱。””我不爱你,即使你把我的身体囚禁在宫中,我的心也不会在。”墨无痕无情的说:”不管你愿不愿意,我将一生为你画地为牢,你永远是我的。“亨,有玉璧彼岸花能回去又如何,我在这已经有了牵挂,一生的牵挂,我是不会放下的。”终究为了谁,眼角一滴朱砂泪,终不悔。。。。只求一生一世,一双人。