Towards the end of the year 1694, this pestilence was more than usually severe.

At length the infection spread to the palace, and reached the young and blooming Queen.

She received the intimation of her danger with true greatness of soul.

She gave orders that every lady of her bedchamber, every maid of honour, nay, every menial servant, who had not had the small pox, should instantly leave Kensington House.

She locked herself up during a short time in her closet, burned some papers, arranged others, and then calmly awaited her fate.
During two or three days there were many alternations of hope and fear.
The physicians contradicted each other and themselves in a way which sufficiently indicates the state of medical science in that age.