Mr Shore was greatly pleaſed at her conduct and more diſcourſe had paſſed, but people coming into the ſhop about buſineſs, she retired.
The king ſoon arrived at court, where he had been miſſed by his nobles, ſoon changed his apparel, and came amongſt them with a chearful countenance, and though others were ignorant. Hastings well perceived where he had been, and the ſatisfaction he had received; and no ſooner were they in private, but the king ſaid, well, Haſtings, thou haſt good judgement in fine women; I have ſeen Shore’s wife, and ſhe excels the praises you gave me of her; I like her well, and muſt enjoy her, but how muſt I bring it about? To court her in her huſband’s preſence, as a private perſon, I ſhall be ſerved as you was; and to take her from his arms, that would cauſe a murmuring among my ſubjects, who would fear the like by their wives and daughters; but I muſt have her, and with her own conſent.
