that means, sent round till it
came to the duchess. Lord Southesk was, for some years, not ill
pleased to have this believed. It looked like a peculiar strain of
revenge, with which he seemed much delighted. But I know he has, to
some of his friends, denied the whole of the story very solemnly."
--history of His Own Times, vol. i., p. 319. It is worthy of notice
that the passage in the text was omitted in most editions of
Grammont, and retained in that of Strawberry-hill, in 1772.]

Lady Robarts was then in the zenith of her glory; her beauty was
striking; yet, notwithstanding the brightness of the finest complexion,
with all the bloom of youth, and with every requisite for inspiring
desire, she nevertheless was not attractive. The Duke of York,
however, would probably have been successful, if difficulties, almost
insurmountable, had not disappointed his good intentions: Lord Robarts,
her husband, was an old, snarling, troublesome, peevish fellow, in
love with her to distraction, and to complete her misery, a perpetual
attendant on her person.

She perceived his Royal Highness's attachment to her, and seemed as if
she was inclined to be grateful: this redoubled his eagerness, and every
outward mark of tenderness he could possibly show her; but the watchful
husband redoubling his zeal and assiduity, as he found the approaches
advance, every art was practised to render him tractable: several
attacks were made upon his avarice and his ambition. Those who possessed
the greatest share of his confidence, insinuated to him that it was his
own fault if Lady Robarts, who was so worthy of being at court, was
not received into some considerable post, either about the queen or the
duchess: he was offered to be made Lord Lieutenant of the county where
his estate was; or to have the management of the Duke of York's revenues
in Ireland, of which he should have the entire disposal, provided
he immediately set out to take possession of his charge; and having
accomplished it, he might return as soon as ever he thought proper.

He perfectly well understood the meaning of these proposals, and was
fully apprised of the advantages he might reap from them: in vain did
ambition and avarice hold out their allurements; he was deaf to all
their temptations, nor could ever the old fellow be persuaded to be
made a cuckold. It is not always an aversion to, or a dread of this
distinction, which preserves us from it: of this her