This anecdote stirred the Duchess to reply to it in her Account of her Conduct. She there explains that she had refused a yearly allowance of £2,000 offered to her by the Queen, when enjoying all her offices. But when dismissed, she repented of her refusal, and reminded the Queen of the promise, who then permitted her to charge all the arrears, amounting to £18,000. The apology is almost more damaging than Swift's accusation.