that it was 〈◊〉 a jesting story or that at least the Queen fitted it to her own humour I swear unto you adâ—â—â— she that he is jealous of Tarnaw and that he will not have me to see him But Madam said the King in way of Admonition Do not you your self give way unto such Insolences You have such sorts of kind wayes and manners continued this Prince which in Italy would be nothing but that in such a Country as this cause divers things to be thought and said more than there is A little more Moderation in all those Outward things continued he would not ill become you What must I then reform my self replyed the Queen for my Lord Bishop's sake No Madam replyed the King but for your Own sake I must have some time â—â—ow'd me Sir said the Queen 〈…〉 my self unto the Customes of the Country and I cannot warrant you that I can ever beâ—ome â—o Barbarous and to take no longer any delight in Life or in 〈◊〉 Society as I see divers do here The King â—o whom this disâ—â—â—se did not please changed the â—â—ine and after some Turnes 〈◊〉 in the Gallery they retiâ—â— â—â—is Adventure which was 〈◊〉 Tarnaw a Scene in which he did see a Picture of the Queens â—â—â—ural humour drawn to the 〈◊〉 who would easily sacrifice 〈◊〉 that she had favoured did 〈◊〉 him much cause of â—â—â—â—â—izing on her Person all the 〈◊〉 of that Night The Incomâ—â—â—â—e Bishop with his Declaraâ—â—on was not forgot but above all 〈…〉 admit the Kings Patience who had so much Indulgency for the Queens little Sallies It is true 〈…〉 Prince had already deâ—â—â—red on this account unto some unreasonable givers of Advice â—hat if he was to have punished oâ— other all those of whom the 〈◊〉 had given him cause of 〈◊〉 plaint his Court would be in a short time quite deferted This Impunity however not the Kings Clemency did not give the Count any desire to engage any farther with the Queen on the contrary the more this Prince was Indulgent the more Horror had he of his Crime Besides that this night he was very much out of humour with Love through all those Accidents which had happen'd unto him and of which he was not yet quite rid Never had any night seemed so long and tedious to him At last Day came and one of the Kings Bed-chamber having some business that way came luckily to open the door while he was behind that Picture Never Man that was condemn'd 〈…〉 perpetual Prison could go with more joy out of his Bonds then he did out of that Place So soon as he was returned home he enquired after the Lacquay which he had left at the Dutchesse's door he was answered than heaâ— as still in Gentery on which his â—â—â—plexity did redouble He could 〈◊〉 believe that Count Topor had 〈◊〉 the night so fortunately 〈◊〉 Duchess was a woman of great Circumspection And this â—oâ—ng Count could at most serve 〈◊〉 but for Divertisement His â—â—ming to the Dutchesses was to learn Manners for it was a 〈◊〉 School for that she did call him her Son not but that she was too Young to have any of the age but through a Kindness which could not go far Yet beauteous and well-made as he was there had been some Talk about it with any other Person than the Duchess who had had the good â—â—â—une of being a Gallant without the least suspicion of Gallanâ—â—sing The Count of Tarnaw impatient to know the Truth of this sent to his Man to learn some news Word was brought him 〈…〉 all that night no Person of Note had stirred forth of the Dutchesse's This put him into greater perplexities then ever He changes his Cloathes and followed but with one single Servant he designed to surprise the Dâ—â—â—cheâ—â— When that he saw come iâ—â—â— his Chamber the Bishop of â—â—â—avia The Reception he made him with very cold I see dear Cousin said the Prelate that I came at 〈◊〉 time and that you are not 〈◊〉 early in the Morning but upon some great designâ— but you know to what Persons of now profession are obliged and 〈◊〉 that we are to obey ouâ— Mâ—flâ—â—â— Orders I bring yo◠〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 continued he which will not be very agreable 〈◊〉 What Interrupted the Câ—â—â—t first 〈◊〉 not being desirous to hâ—â—â— any thing discourse with him 〈…〉 the Qâ—â—◠〈…〉 from seeing 〈◊〉 the Bishop surprised to hear 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 what he had to say could 〈…〉 now he should th◠〈…〉 by some 〈…〉 the 〈◊〉 her self had â—â—eady informed him of it He â—old him that of truth it was that which had brought him â—hiâ—◠〈…〉 Queen having doubt 〈…〉 that there was some 〈◊〉 of that Conversation which â—he had had with him in his â—ountry House she had thought 〈…〉 Hoâ—â—ours â—â—e rest and the Counts good not to see him for some time but as shee did 〈◊〉 indifferently all the rest of the Court and that this Advice was 〈◊〉 sufficient Consequence to have him profit by it That she had employed him to declare it to 〈◊〉 as a near â—insman and one of 〈…〉 The Count not 〈◊〉 moved at all that the Bishop said replyed in such a serious manner as would confound any man That he knew well of what nature the Obligation he owed him in this rencounter was and that he might tell the Queen that he would obey her Orders as she desired You speak with such an Ayr replyed the Bishop it seems as if I disobliged you Once more I am perfectly instructed replied the Count of all your Bounties and in time and place I shall thank you for them Can you suspect me interruptâ—d the Prelates Not at all replyed Tarnaw but I think that I should not have over much cause of confiding in a man that should accuse me falsly to the Queen Who could accuse you replied the Bishop blushing Have you some â—ivals that can be so much concerned at your good Fortune The Count who began to be 〈◊〉 of hâ—uing his false Reasoning 〈◊〉 I hâ—vâ— some sayd he to 〈◊〉 fiercely and that should medâ—â— with any thing else than Gallanâ—â—ng That does not concern 〈◊〉 said the good Prelate in great 〈◊〉 order I know not whether 〈◊〉 concernes you or not replyed the Count But I know well that the King is informed that â—â—â—â—in man of your Character 〈◊〉 â—ound out the way of making 〈◊〉 Dâ—â—larâ—tion of Love unto the 〈◊〉 in his Mass Book The Lâ—rd Bishop not being able to 〈…〉 clearing of a thing which 〈◊〉 him with Confusion arose and 〈…〉 king an hasty leave of the 〈◊〉 Farewell said he you may 〈◊〉 profit of my Advices if you 〈◊〉 but whencesoever they 〈…〉 will let you know that 〈…〉 in need of them as much others The Count who thought 〈…〉 told him enough did let 〈…〉 â—o go himself about other â—â—siâ—ess and to execute the design which he had in his Heart as well as in his mind He went forth with that Servant and
divers ages and to consolate my self of my affliction I have but too many examples before my Eyes I aym not at Count Tarnaws life all his Blood would not make the Dutchess the honester Woman and should my Honour depend on that only I well see that there would be no Return of it All that I can do is to wait till he be Married to render him the Change The business being thus turn'd into Rallery the King was over-joy'd to see him take that Course which he did second with divers solid reasons giving a great deal of Praise unto the Dukes Conduct That Action was after that as an happy Plank for all those that found themselves in the number of the betrayed Husbands there being nothing indeed more ridiculous in the World than to cast ones self away for being dishonoured by a Woman Give me those Wise and Prudent Persons as was the Duke who on all other accounts was an Example of Vallour as well as of Cuckoldship here He going from the King a Gentleman brought him the order from the Queen He presently thought of the promise which he had made the Dutchess but he was to obey or rather he was to yield unto that Byass which carried him that way He did appear so constrained and so perplexed at the fight of that Princess that she could not restrain from Laughing and letting her self go unto her usual Humour which was free and full of Gayety Well my Lord Duke said she have you not a very honest Wife and is not Tarnaw an undoubted Friend Friendship Madam said he is Subject unto such Treacheries but the Count is yet more guilty in point of Love he will be sooner pardoned for having betrayed a Friend continu'd he then the fairest Princess in the World The Queen answered him Coldly That she did take no further care of that business than so much as would make her Sport If I was concern'd in it continu'd she I should think the Persons sufficiently punished with the Confusion it hath brought upon them But how have you resented the business And how do you carry your self towards Tarnaw The Duke gave her to understand that he was not a man that would take so much to heart a business of which he was not the Master that which way so ever it had come to pass he thought that it fell to his Wifes share to take upon her all the Blame of the adventure seeing that it was she that had committed the Fault That as to the Count he expected from Time and Opportunity some means to revenge himself like a man of Honour but not as a declared Enemy The Queen having said some pleasant things on his Maximes which she well approv'd of the Duke replyed That he had Copyed them out of the Practice of the greatest men in Antiquity and that he did not use in things of Consequence to regulate himself by the common Opinion The Queen who was desirous to fall upon that which did concern her self the most reply'd That all that was very well but that howsoever it was probable he would not permit Tarnaw to continue having the same Assiduities with the Dutchess Why not Madam replyed the Duke who presently perceived that this was that thing the Queen did wish for The mischeif is already done continu'd he and it would be a great Folly in me to be so cautious where there is no Remedy That should have been done in time and season What would you endure said the Queen with some trouble I shall not only endure said he interrupting her that he should do as he has formerly done but I will go instantly from hence to seek him and intreat him so to do That is to be very Complaisant replied she and this may very well be called to be a Commodious Man But to let you see continued she the little Concern I take in it Know that I am pleased at your going to see the Count and I do Order you at the same time to bring him here to me You may think it may be that I have a mind he should ask me Pardon continued she and that we should be reconciled Your example might be followed and peradventure that I should not find it difficult to imitate you if I had no other cause of Complaint against him but know that he has offended me by a more sensible way than that the of Dutchess and that it is three dayes since I have given Order unto the Bishop of Cracovia to tell him from me that he should never more appear before my presence The Duke both surprised and rejoyced at this news asked the Queen if it were possible that the Count should give her any cause of treating him so ill Yes replyed she and were it not for the Noise that it might make in the World I had spoken of it to the King But I cannot better punish him continued she than in confounding of him before you and in reproaching his Unworthiness my self in person At this proposition the Duke was in his Dumps and could have wished that the Queen had persisted in her first Resolution or at least that she had charged some other with that Commission But there was no way to avoyd it she would absolutely have it that it should be him that should bring to her the Count and that he should be Witness after what manner she would treat him The Duke was too clear-sighted and did know the Queen too well to fall into that Trap. But that Princesses Charmes did so dazle him that if his life had been at stake he could not refuse what she required of him This is cruel Madam said he thus to exact from my obedience so hard a Task I shall do it however continued he seeing that you command it But the Repentance of it may cost me my Life Upon this he took leave of the Queen who promised him to set this Constraint which he did to himself for her sake upon account Count Topor very proud of the Honour that this noise had done him of being in love with the Dutchess had a mind to become so in good earnest He undertook to visit her more frequently then before But knowing that a Passion according to Form ought to begin by a Declaration he was divers dayes in meditating one which might please his Mistress They were fine words which he composed afterwards writ but which he did blot out as often as he writ them and when he was resolved and had agreed upon those which he would use he had forgot all again so soon as he came before the Dutchess so that he was forced to stand to those which the Publick had made for him The Dutchess could easily perceive a change both in the Humour and Manners of the Count. She might have guessed at his design and at some other time she might have diverted her self with it But at that time she was not capable of any Pleasure and her mind wholly taken up
the spight which the Jealousy and the Shame of such an Affront did inspire him with He told the Gentlewoman she might tell her Lady That he would not expose himself a second time to be so ill receiv'd with that he went away and left one of his Lacquais at the Door to keep Centry and to give him an account when Count Topor should go forth The Truth of the Story was That there was no body with the Dutchess and that this Dutchess having perceiv'd the Count coming by a Window had shut her self up in her Chamber and had order'd her Woman to make all that Sport who was very Dextrous at such things and her great Confident She had thus gratified her little Ambition and had taken extream Delight in hearing her Woman relate all the earnest Desires the Uneasiness Frettings and Distrusts which she had caus'd the Count to Suffer But however she had been very glad to have spoken to him and feared lest she might have driven her Resentment too far which gave her some Disturbance all that Night The Count was returning home prepossessed with a thousand Vexations that troubled him when one of his Servants who was going to the Dutchess for him told him That the Queen had sent three or four times to know if he were at home This Advice having put new thoughts into his Head did make him take the Resolution of going that he might Consolate himself near the Queen of the Dutchesses Scornes So he directed his Steps towards the Castle He came to that Princess's Appartment where he was told that the Bishop of Cracovia was with her an ill Conjuncture for him he thinks it fit to wait his going out that he might avoid another Lecture and passing on the other side of the Appartment he enter'd into a Gallery where but few Persons resorted because that it answered unto the Queen's Closet He thought at his coming there that he heard the Voice of the Bishop It was very dark there was no light in the Gallery and he thought that he might boldly approach to the Door whence the Noise came He heard that there was some Discourse of him his Curiosity redoubled he lends an Ear unto the Key-hole and he distinguishes the Queen's Voice Tarnav said she is a Villain if he has said this but for your own quiet I advise you not to believe any thing of it I shall not believe any thing of it Madam reply'd the Bishop if that for to Punish him you see him no more I see him reply'd the Queen If I do so it shall be to Treat him as the meanest of Men. Be more favourable to him Madam reply'd the Prelate and see him not at all If you please added he I shall let him know your Mind The Queen answered not presently but after some few Moments of 〈◊〉 she said that she consented to it Upon which the Bishop who thought that he had obtained all that he 〈◊〉 wish for took leave of the 〈◊〉 and went out through the door of that Gallery with such precipitation that he had like to have surprised the over-curious 〈◊〉 There 〈◊〉 was any Surprisal 〈◊〉 to that of this Lover to hear the good services which his dear kinsman rendered him He could not guess what Cause he had to use him so 〈◊〉 There was not the least Noise imaginable at Court that he had any Amorous designs towards the Queen and but little likelyhood that 〈◊〉 Prudent a Person as He and of his Character should be guilty of that Folly which he condemn'd in 〈◊〉 so much All other thoughts bad that would have 〈…〉 mind He had but just time enough to retire hiâ—self and 't was well for him that the honest Prelate came out without a Light He let him pass by with a design to follow him soon but Fortune who was preparing more new Adventures for him that Night would have it that thâ— Bishop going out of the Gallery drew the other Door after him so that the Count found himself looked up on all sides not knowing which way to stir forth This last Trouble was almost the hight of his Despair He would not for half his life have been found alone in that place especially at that hour That might have drawn divers ill Consequences or at least divers Ralleries which had made sport at Court if it had been known that he had been obliged to pass all the Night long there and his Vexation as well as his Despair did increase aâ— of as he reflected on the Imposâ—bility there was of gâ—â—ing off with 〈◊〉 â—ome Celestial Assistance On the Queens side though he had a pasâ—â—â— it was the hour that the 〈◊〉 used to be with her and â—â—â—re would be too much danger 〈◊〉 meeâ— him there after what 〈◊〉 already discoursed abroad The other door was of proof against all his strength and in â—â—â—ing any noise he run the danger of being heard from the â—â—ngs side The Windowes were â—oo high to get off that way would endanger his life In fine there was nothing to be done but to wait with patience the coming of the Day A cruel Choice indeed for a man that had alâ—â—dy so many other Troubles to â—â—â—e off without the need of passing a whole night in such a kind of Function As he was admiring on this the â—â—â—ur of his Fate that all that 〈◊〉 long had brought him from one Crosseness to another the door was open'd on the Queene side and the King came out followed by that Princess Happily for the Count one of the greaâ— Pictures of the Gallery that warred something to be mended waâ— let down behind which he haâ— leisure to hide himself It was Sigismond's Custom every night in Summer to take some â—urnes in that Gallery before hâ— went to bed the Queen would sometimes keep him Company She was then entertaining of him with the Amourous stories of her Selects of which she told him divers as much to divert him as to gain the more Confidence from him What would you say Sir said She if that the Bishop of Crâ—covia is in love with me also I should say replyed the King that he could not be so with a more Beautiful Woman but I believe him too wise and you would have much to do to perâ—â—â—e me to it I assure you â—hat he is so replied the Queen 〈◊〉 to that height as to become 〈◊〉 us of all that come near me 〈◊〉 first Declaration of Love that 〈◊〉 ever made me continued she 〈◊〉 in his Mass Book where he 〈◊〉 me that he would shew me 〈◊〉 greatest Devotion he had â—â—â—ch consisted in five or six â—â—ts of my Picture all which â—â—â—sented me in divers postures of Saints and he at my Feet Of â—â—th I never did laugh so much 〈◊〉 all my life for never any of my â—â—vers had ever devised to make love to me after such a Pious manner â—â—â—smond who was a good 〈◊〉 could not forbear laughing also but he thought