Meantime the king was growing more importunate, and one day affairs reached a terrifying climax when he intimated to Frances that if she would promise to become his wife, he would try to divorce the queen.

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.