he had been told, in "a very fine sleep," she was
sitting up; and far from presenting an ailing appearance, she looked
radiantly well and very lovely in her diaphanous sleeping toilet, with
golden ringlets in distracting disarray Nor was she alone. By her pillow
sat one who, if at first to be presumed her physician, proved upon
scrutiny to be the Duke of Richmond.

The King's swarthy face turned a variety of colours, his languid eyes
lost all trace of languor. Those who knew his nature might have expected
that he would now deliver himself with that sneering sarcasm, that
indolent cynicism, which he used upon occasion. But he was too deeply
stirred for acting. His self-control deserted him entirely. Exactly what
he said has not been preserved for us. All that we are told is that he
signified his resentment in such terms as he had never before used; and
that his Grace, almost petrified by the King's most royal rage, uttered
never a word in answer. The windows of the room overlooked the Thames.
The King's eyes strayed towards them. Richmond was slight of build,
Charles vigorous and athletic. His Grace took the door betimes lest the
window should occur to his Majesty, and so he left the lady alone with
the outraged monarch.

Thereafter Charles did not have it all quite his own way. Miss Stewart
faced him in an indignation nothing less than his own, and she was very
far from attempting any such justification of herself, or her conduct,
as he may have expected.

"Will your Majesty be more precise as to the grounds of your complaint?"
she invited him challengingly.

That checked his wildness. It brought him up with a round turn. His jaw
fell, and he stared at her, lost now for words. Of this she took the
fullest advantage.

"If I am not allowed to receive visits from a man of the Duke of
Richmond's rank, who comes with honourable intentions, then I am a slave
in a free country. I know of no engagement that should prevent me from
disposing of my hand as I think fit. But if this is not permitted me in
your Majesty's dominions, I do not believe there is any power on earth
can prevent me going back to France, and throwing myself into a convent,
there to enjoy the peace denied me at this Court."

With that she melted into tears, and his discomfiture was complete. On
his knees he begged her forgiveness for the injury he had done her. But
Miss was not in a forgiving humour.

"If your Majesty would graciously consent to leave