It
has been said, doubtless with truth, that the same offer was made to
Mistress Stuart, now the Duchess of Richmond.
When Frances refused his Majesty's offer, which, probably, was made only
for the purpose of inducing her to trust him, he asked with ill-concealed
anger:--
"Do you refuse my offer because you are still thinking of Hamilton?"
"I would refuse it, your Majesty, were there no other man in the world,"
answered Frances, bowing and asking leave to withdraw.
When Frances told me of this extraordinary offer, I was convinced that
the king had no intention of fulfilling it, but it served to open my eyes
to the extent of his passion, and to assure me that he would use any
means in his power, however desperate, to gain his end. Frances was in
danger.
I also knew that if the king held Hamilton responsible for Frances's
obduracy, means would be found of putting him out of the way, if his
Majesty could but get hands on him. With this belief strong upon me, I
was not surprised when Frances came to me in great tribulation, within
a day or two, and said:--
"Cousin Ned, it is reported that Master Hamilton is still in London
and that he has avowed his intention to kill the king. The surgeon who
dressed his wounds is said to be responsible for the accusation. If he
is found, he certainly will die, for the proof will be at hand, false or
true. The king told me as much, and offered to pardon Master Hamilton if
I would ask it in the proper spirit.
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