Once the idea of Lady Flora’s indiscretion was in Her Majesty’s mind, her only, absolutely her only, honourable course would have been either to see Lady Flora herself, or, if that seemed too difficult, to consult her mother, the Duchess of Kent. But the Queen was so blinded by her advisers or by her prejudices that she took the whole matter into her own hands, and sent Sir James Clark to interview Lady Flora. The following is part of a letter written about Lady Flora on March 7th by the Marchioness of Hastings to her son-in-law, Captain Charles Henry.
LADY FLORA HASTINGS.
“Sir James Clark, shocking to tell, accused her of being privately married, and you can imagine her indignation and horror. She flatly denied it, and then this ambassador said that nothing but a medical examination by himself and another would ‘clear her character and satisfy the ladies of the Court.’ From her he went to the Duchess (of Kent), who resented the insult instantly. He was followed by Lady Portman, who was deputed by the Queen to desire she would not appear before her till ‘her character was cleared’ by this most revolting proposal. The dear, dear Duchess could not make up her mind to this; Flora desired it. Two persons have been named as those suspected of her shame, Sir John Conroy, who has been like a father in his care of her, and Lord Headfort, evidently as a cloak to the attempt which was to separate Flora and the Duchess’s old and attached servant from her. Flora persisted, and the Speaker (?) and Sir John Conroy both said she was right, and the Duchess at last gave a reluctant consent. Flora named Sir Charles Clarke in addition, and the strongest medical opinion he and Sir James Clark could sign was given, to the confoundation of those wicked persons who could so act. Flora wrote to Hastings (her brother), who went up alone, and has behaved with a judgment and spirit which is a cheer to me in so much misery. He went to Lord Melbourne, and insisted on his thorough disavowal of having anything to do with it; and asked an audience of the Queen. Lord Melbourne at first refused, but Hastings insisted, and Hastings very respectfully but very decidedly pointed out to Her Majesty the fallacy of such advisers, ‘be they who they may,’ who could recommend such a course to her. Sorry am I to say Lady Tavistock does not stand clear of wickedness and vile gossip at least, but Lady Portman took the messages, after a man was sent to make the base attack on my poor child. The Duchess kept by her, and refused till ample reparation was made to go either to dinner or in the evening. To-morrow I will send you part of her dear letter about my darling Flo. I dare add no more. The Queen sent for Flora, the tears were in her eyes (I am glad they were so), and expressed her sorrow. She (Flora) took it rightly, but added, ‘I must respectfully observe, Madam, I am the first, and I trust I shall be the last, Hastings ever so treated by their Sovereign. I was treated as if guilty without a trial.’ She took it very well, and has been markedly kind to her since. Sir James Clark has been dismissed by the Duchess.”
This letter from the Duchess of Kent was sent to the Countess of Loudoun:—
“Buckingham Palace, 5th March, 1839.”
“My dear Lady Hastings,
“Our beloved Lady Flora will tell you all the dreadful things that have occurred here; I will only say that no mother could have defended a daughter more than I have done her. She is of all her sex that being that most deserves it, and she stands on the highest ground. This attack, my dear Lady Hastings, was levelled at me through your innocent child. But God spared us!
“Believe me, the hour will come when the Queen will see and feel what she has been betrayed into. When your first feeling of indignation subsides, for mine knew no bounds, you will in your nobleness of soul view with scorn all these proceedings. I cannot say more. I have stood by your child and your house as if all was my own. Believe me, with the truest affection and esteem,
“Your devoted friend,