The king has had many private
conversations with the designing beauty; and, seduced by her
many charms of mind and person, as well as dazzled by the hidden
and concealed nature of their intrigue, finds his passion for her
increases from day to day. Many are the designing persons ready
to profit by the transfer of the king's affections from you to this
fresh favorite; and they flatter themselves the desired event is
close at hand. You are to be confined by a
to the isle of St. Margaret, for the place of your exile is already
chosen. The principal conspirators are two powerful noblemen,
one of whom is reputed your most intimate friend. I learned all
these particulars,' continued the Jacobite, 'from a young penitent,
but not under the seal of confession. This penitent is the
particular friend of the female in question, who confided the
secret to her, from whom I received it, accompanied by the most
flattering promises of future protection and advancement. These
splendid prospects excited her jealous envy, and she came here
to confess the whole to me, requesting I would seek you out and
inform you of the whole affair. Here is a letter she obtained
unknown to her aspiring friend, which she wishes you to see, as
a pledge of the veracity of her statement.' The marchioness cast
her eyes over the paper held out to her by the Jacobite. It was
a letter addressed by the king to his new mistress.
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