mes Clark, and also by Sir
Charles Clark, stating, as strongly as language can state it, that
there are no grounds for believing that pregnancy does exist, or ever
has existed. Lord Hastings, though, at the time very ill from
influenza, went to London immediately, and demanded, and obtained,
from Lord Melbourne, a distinct disavowal of his participation in the
affair; and demanded, and obtained, an audience of Her Majesty, in
which, while he disclaimed all idea that the Queen had any wish to
injure his sister, he plainly, though respectfully, stated his
opinion of those who had counselled her, and his resolution to find
out the originator of the slander, and bring him, or her, to
punishment. Lady Flora is convinced that the Queen was surprised
into the order which was given, and that Her Majesty did not
understand what she was betrayed into; for, ever since the horrid
event, Her Majesty has shown her regret by the most gracious kindness
to Lady Flora, and expressed it warmly, with 'tears in her eyes.'

"The Duchess of Kent's conduct was perfect; 'a mother could not have
been kinder.' 'She immediately dismissed Sir James Clark from her
service, and refused to see Lady Portman'; and has crowned her
goodness by a most beautiful letter she has written to the Dowager
Lady Hastings, from whom the accounts were kept, till all hope of
avoiding publicity was impossible."

Her brother, the Marquis of Hastings, was indefatigable in trying to
unearth the promoters of the scandal, but, from the published letters,
without much result; but the unfortunate affair involved the whole Court,
for a time, in unpopularity--Lady Loudon, her mother, demanded from the
Queen, Sir James Clark's dismissal, but was not successful. Meantime,
the object of all this agitation, after resuming, for a time, the duties
of her situation, grew gradually worse, and, at length, expired, on the
5th July, at the age of 33. By the desire of Lord Hastings, a _post
mortem_ examination of the body took place, the particulars of which,
attested by five of the most eminent surgeons of the metropolis, were
published in the papers, and fully established the unfortunate lady's
complete innocence of the charge brought against her, the cause of death
being clearly shown to be enlargement of the liver.

Lady Flora's remains were removed from the palace, at an early hour in
the mornin