Ayrshire > Volume 2

THE EARLDOM OF LOUDOUN 239
in the matter. Later it was agreed that Sir James
Clark should tell Lady Flora the suspicions that were on
foot regarding her condition. He did so, and Lady
Flora indignantly gave them a flat denial. The Duchess
of Kent had the fullest reason for being satisfied with
her conduct and actions in every particular. Rumour,
however, once started, is not as a rule easy to allay, and
Lord Melbourne reluctantly consented that a medical
examination of Lady Flora should be made. This,
which was conducted by Sir James Clark and Sir Charles
Clarke, who had been the family physician since Lady
Flora's birth, gave the lie to the slander. But the harm
had been done. Lady Flora never recovered from the
indignity ; the pain of it, and the disgrace, were
constantly present to her mind ; these aggravated the
trouble from which she was suffering, and she died at
Buckingham Palace, July 5, 1839.
"It is inconceivable," wrote Charles Greville in his
" Memoirs," " how Melbourne can have permitted this
disgraceful and mischievous scandal which cannot fail
to lower the Court in the eyes of the world." The
tragedy — for it was nothing else — created a general
feeling of indignation in the country, and denunciations
were heaped upon all concerned in the unholy business.
The Marchioness of Hastings, who did not long survive
it, and the other relatives, endeavoured to obtain some
public reparation, but in vain. In a letter addressed
to the Queen, her ladyship called Her Majesty's attention
to " the atrocious calumnies and unblushing falsehoods
against my daughter's reputation which the perpetrators
had dared to circulate even in the palace of the
Sovereign." Through Lord Melbourne the Queen
conveyed to the Marchioness " the expression of her
deep concern at the unfortunate circumstances which
had recently taken place," and her anxiety to do every-
thing in her power " to soothe the feelings of Lady Flora
and her family, which must have been painfully affected
by the events which have occurred." The Marchioness
pointed out that " no steps had been taken to repair,