THE TRUE MAID OF HONOUR. dying lady. Although the haughtiness of the , Duchess had made her many enemies, she was a firm and considerate friend to those whom she respected. On the 31st of March, 1671, she expired at St. James's, being only thirty-four years old. Margaret Blagge regretted her sincerely, and mournfully wrote in her journal : -" The Duchess died, a princess honoured in power, had much wit, much money, much esteem ; she was full of un- speakable torture, and died (poor creature) in doubt of her religion, without the Sacrament, or a divine, by her, like a poor wretch ; none remembered her after one week, none sorry for her; she was tost and flung about, and every one did what they would with that stately carcase. What is this world-what is greatness-what to be esteemed or thought a wit ?" From the Court of the Duchess, Margaret was transferred to that of the Queen, a still- more perilous situation, for her Majesty was frequently as foolish as any of her ladies, if the anecdotes told by the historians of the time may be credited. Among other giddy fancies indulged in by the Court, mas- querading took a rage ; not only masked balls in palaces and theatres, but the jocund licence which prevails during Carnival time abroad. King, Queen, ladies and courtiers, alike rambled about in parties, masked and in quest of adventures ; going about in hackney chairs, entering houses where lightsand music gave promise that sport was afoot, where they would " dance about " with the wildest glee. Once, the 19
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