this course as the most prudent, that in such circumstances could be
taken. But in this the world was deceived, for he went abroad from no
such prudent motive, oeconomy being a virtue of which he never had the
least notion in any part of his life. His business at Vienna was to
execute a private commission, not in favour of the English ministry,
nor did he ever shine to greater advantage, as to his personal
character, than at the Imperial court.

From Vienna his grace made a tour to the court of Spain, where his
arrival alarmed the English minister so much, that two expresses were
sent from Madrid to London, upon the apprehension that his grace was
received there in the character of an ambassador, upon which the duke
received a summons under the Privy Seal to return home. His behaviour
on this occasion was a sufficient indication that he never designed to
return to England, whilst affairs remained in the same state, and
the administration in the same hands they then were in. This he often
declared from his going abroad the second time, which, no doubt, was
the occasion of his treating that solemn order with so much indignity,
and endeavouring to enflame the Spanish court, not only against the
person who delivered the warrant, but against the court of Great
Britain itself, for exercising an act of power, as he was pleased to
call it, within the jurisdiction of his Catholic Majesty. After this
he acted openly in the service of the Pretender, and appeared at his
court, where he was received with great marks of favour.

While his grace was thus employed abroad, his duchess, who had been
neglected by him, died in England, on the 14th of April 1726, and left
no issue behind her. The lady's death gave the duke no great shock.
He was disencumbered of her and had now an opportunity of mending his
fortune by marriage.