Ormond, who is popularly regarded as the personification of all that is pure and highminded in the English Cavalier, encouraged the design.

Even Lady Rochester was not ashamed to cooperate, and that in the very worst way.

Her office was to direct the jealousy of the injured wife towards a young lady who was perfectly innocent.

The whole court took notice of the coldness and rudeness with which the Queen treated the poor girl on whom suspicion had been thrown: but the cause of Her Majesty's ill humour was a mystery.

For a time the intrigue went on prosperously and secretly.