she became seriously ill and lingered for some months at Croome Court. It has often been said that Lady Coventry died from the immoderate use of cosmetics in which there was a large quantity of white lead, but consumption was more probably the real cause of her death. Her youngest sister had died of it, and the Duchess of Hamilton's two sons were also victims to the scourge. When confined to bed, Lady Coventry kept a pocket glass under her pillow which she looked at from time to time, so as to note the ravages made by disease in her once lovely features. She died at the early age of 27, leaving a son and two daughters. The public interest in her continued even after her death, for 10,000 people went to see the outside of her coffin.
Her sister, the Duchess of Hamilton, was also threatened with consumption, but a visit to Italy restored her to health again. She was one of the two duchesses appointed to be the escort of the Princess Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, the intended bride of George III. The first time the homely little Princess saw the two duchesses, she asked, "Are all Englishwomen as beautiful as you are?" Her entry into London was made by Mile End Road, and when the Princess heard that her wedding was to take place that evening, she grew so white that lavender water had to be thrown in her face to revive her. Seeing the Duchess of
