excitement, her red lips parted in expectation, followed the fortunes
of the night with anxiety: all compliments being suspended and all fine
speeches withheld the while, nought being heard but the rustle of cards
and the chink of gold.

Dainty and luxurious suppers followed, when rare wines flowed, and wit
long suppressed found joyous vent. Here sat Charles beside his beautiful
mistress, happy in the enjoyment of the present, careless of the needs
of his people; and close beside him my Lord of Buckingham, watchful
of his majesty's face, hatching dark plots whilst he turned deft
compliments. There likewise were my Lord Dorset, the easiest and
wittiest man living; Sir Charles Sedley, one learned in intrigue;
Baptist May, the monarch's favourite; Tom Killigrew who jested on life's
follies whilst he enjoyed them; the Countess of Shrewsbury, beautiful
and amorous; and Madam Ellen, who was ready to mimic or sing, dance or
act, for his majesty's diversion.

And so, whilst a new day stole upon the world without, tapers burned low
within the duchess's apartments; and the king, his mistress, and a brave
and gallant company ate, drank, and made merry.

CHAPTER XVI.

A storm threatens the kingdom.--The Duke of York is touched in his
conscience.--His interview with Father Simons.--The king declares his
mind.--The Duchess of York becomes a catholic.--The circumstances of her
death.--The Test Act introduced.--Agitation of the nation.--The Duke
of York marries again.--Lord Shaftesbury's schemes.--The Duke of
Monmouth.--William of Orange and the Princess Mary.--Their marriage and
departure from England.

Whilst the surface life of the merry monarch sped onward in its careless
course, watchful eyes took heed of potent signs boding storms and
strife. The storm which shook the kingdom to its centre came anon; the
strife which dethroned a monarch was reserved for the succeeding
reign. These were not effected by the king's profligacy, indolence, or
extravagance, but because of a change in the religious belief of the
heir-apparent to the crown.

The cloud, no bigger than a man's hand, which presently spread and
overcast the political horizon, was first observed towards the beginning
of the year 1669. The Rev. J. S. Clarke, historiographer to George III.,
chaplain to the royal household, and librarian to the Prince Regent, in
his "Life of James II., collected out of Memoirs writ of his own hand,"
tells us that about