afterwards to be created Duchess of Kendal, had not yet attained
to that completeness of lank, bony hideousness that was later to
distinguish her in England. But even in youth she could boast of
little attraction. Prince George, however, was easily attracted.
A dull, undignified libertine, addicted to over-eating, heavy
drinking, and low conversation, he found in Melusina von
Schulemberg an ideal mate. Her installation as maitresse en-titre
took place publicly at a ball given by Prince George at
Herrenhausen, a ball at which the Princess Sophia was present.

Accustomed, inured, as she was to the coarse profligacy of her
dullard husband, and indifferent to his philandering as her
contempt of him now left her, yet in the affront thus publicly
offered her, she felt that the limit of endurance had been
reached. Next day it was found that she had disappeared from
Herrenhausen. She had fled to her father's court at Zell.

But her father received her coldly; lectured her upon the freedom
and levity of her manners, which he condemned as unbecoming the
dignity of her rank; recommended her to use in future greater
prudence, and a proper, wifely submission; and, the homily
delivered, packed her back to her husband at Herrenhausen.

George's reception of her on her return was bitterly hostile. She
had been guilty of a more than usual, of an unpardonable want of
respect for him. She must learn what was due to her station, and
to her husband. He would thank her to instruct herself in these
matters against his return from Berlin, whither he was about to
journey, and he warned her that he would suffer no more tantrums
of that kind.