dictates to avoid that fatal Rock on which I am afraid to split in the very Harbour The Duke perceiving her dying Resolution fell at her Feet and stop'd her against her Will This small but seasonable Violence wrought so much upon the Heart of this Lovely Person that she staid for a considerable while with him and seem'd to give consent to all the moving and tender Expressions of his Passion Oh! sudden and unaccountable Change But alas What 's impossible to Love when he designs to Master a Heart It seems as if all Nature were made for him since nothing can resist his Power The Fair Cliodora experienced it in that occasion having often summon'd in vain to her assistance both Duty Chastity Faith and all the Sacred Obligations of a discreet Wife to her Spouse Now cry'd she am I surpriz'd conquer'd and speechless at once At this she yielded to the fond Caresses of her Lover who embrac'd her most tenderly and look'd passionately upon her to find in her Eyes the Sentence either of his Life or Death The Marchioness casting a languishing Eye upon him said Alas I am ruined All my fears are come upon me and the cruelest Death would now be a Blessing Here she broke off shedding a shower of Tears in the Duke 's Arms. The Shades of Night coming on the Duke both out of Decency Kindness and Love conducted her to her House entertaining her all the way with the most endearing Expressions and having taken his leave left her in the cruelest Agonies imaginable This Night was to the Lovely Cliodora a Night full of Horrour Uneasiness and all that can be most tormenting in this Life And as she was of a Tender and Amorous Temper and had never before felt so violent and engaging a Passion she took an exact Review of all that the Duke had said to her which had made a deep impression in her Heart Atonia one of her intimate Acquaintance who surpriz'd her in Bed the next Morning found her so changed that she ask'd all in a Fright the Reason of that sad Metamorphosis Alas My Dearest said the Marchioness with a doleful Voice if I should tell you the Cause of my Misfortunes you would be so surpriz'd and astonish'd at the condition my Heart is now in that you would certainly pity my Miserable Fate Madam reply'd Atonia I compassionate your Trouble without knowing the particulars of it Can you believe said the Marchioness resuming her Discourse that I Love the most perfect and accomplish'd Man alive Fame indeed has not done him Justice but Heaven has bestow'd on him those Charms that are able to enslave the whole Creation Atonia who ought all this while that the Marchioness spoke of her Husband told her Madam I have long since known the infinite Merit of your Illustrious Husband Here she paus'd a while and the Marchioness resuming the Discourse Alas cry'd she how happy should I be were I only Charm'd by my Husband's Merit But another possesses my Heart and I cannot forbear loving him in spite of Duty Honour Faith and all that opposes the Torrent of my Inclinations How Madam reply'd Atonia in a Surprise you love another besides the Marquiss your Husband I do return'd Cliodora I do dear Atonia love another against my Will and my Heart has yielded to the most perfect of all Mortals But who is that happy Mortal reply'd Atonia with a serious Air who has found the way to captivate your Heart which seem'd to be an impregnable Fortress How often has the Count of made vain attempts upon the Citadel of that Fort which perhaps surrenders now without resistance to a less formidable Conquerour Alas Cruel Atonia answer'd the Marchioness with a dying Look if thou knewest how my Heart my Reason and all the Powers of my Soul have strugled with this Passion thou would'st not speak as thou do'st I have couragiously encountred all that can Charm a Heart and 't is no great wonder to see Victory side with the stronger The Duke of Maine triumphs over my Resolution and 't is that powerful that charming Conquerour that puts me to these Agonies 'T is not to be imagin'd into what astonishment those Words cast Atonia who looking fixedly upon the Marchioness told her Madam what 's now become of that great Vertue and Reserve which made your Ladyship the Admiration of all the World I cannot tell my Dearest cry'd Cliodora falling into a Swoon in which she continu'd for some time without either Speech or Motion but at last recovering her Spirits Faithful Spouse cry'd she I have been treacherous to thee by breaking my Marriage-Vows Then looking upon his Picture that hung by her Bed-side she went on in these Words Oh! why must I break thy Heart by this intolerable Grief Fatal unlawful Love thou art ready to undo me and precipitate my Days into an endless Abyss of Sorrow and Misery Guilt begins to triumph over Vertue and crushes me under the abominable Weight of Vice O Heaven that seest the trouble of my distracted Soul calm this dreadful Storm by some gentle Influence She had scarce done speaking when the Marquiss who for some Days had been a Hunting with his Friends came into the Room and sat down upon the Bed by her He express'd his usual Kindness to her and finding her extreamly chang'd he ask'd her the cause of it with a great deal of Concern Cliodora as you may imagine was not such a Fool as to own her Frailty but on the contrary she conceal'd and dissembl'd it and forc'd a seem'd Satisfaction at the dull Caresses of her Husband Some time after being left alone with her Confident she told her Dear Atonia a Husband is still the same thing and Love is pleas'd with Variety But Madam reply'd Atonia smiling how can you expect always to find that pleasing Variety in a Galant I can't tell reply'd careless the Marchioness however 't is requisite to pass from one amorous Engagement to another were it but to keep our Hearts in ure which otherwise would grow dull and insensible You preach a fine Doctrine said Atonia smiling but I am afraid your Precepts are dangerous and proceed from loose wanton Thoughts which you ought rather to suppress Alas how can I said she rising from her Bed See! here comes the dear Charmer that has raised them whom I cannot shun At these Words the Duke of Maine came in and ask'd her how she had spent the Night Very uneasily dear Prince reply'd she Atonia who perceiv'd that her Company might be troublesom went out of the Room immediately and left 'em to themselves The Duke thus alone with his Mistress entertain'd her with his Passion which said he is arrived at its highest pitch then I fear it will soon decline reply'd Cliodora since Philosophers tell us that things being come to their perfection begin to decrease and return to their centre My dear Angel answer'd the Duke passionately I am above Philosophers and I 'll teach them by the
Visits to the Princess of Roche-sar-you who always receiv'd them kindly and 't was in those Visits that he fell in Love with Mademoâ—selle de Bourbon the Princess's Sister All the Thoughts of the Court were presently bent upon this Match but whether the Duke had a mind to shew his Resentment for being refused before or whether he was still fond of a single Life and averse to so solemn an Engagement his Marriage was put off till another time In this interim he fell in Love with a Marchioness that made great noise at Court both by her Youthful Beauty and Sprightly Wit The Difficulty the Duke met with was to find a way through a Multitude of Admirers that Night and Day laid close Siege to that Lady However he slatter'd himself with some hopes as most young Men arâ— apt to do upon the account of his Birth his good Meen his Wit and all that can dazle the Eyes of a young Person who enters the World and loves to be Courted The first time he saw the Marchioness whose Name you must suppose to be Cliodora was at an Acquaintance of his that Charming Person was employ'd about pickiâ—g and stringing fine Pearls for Bracelets when the Duke came into the Room where she was he approach'd her with a bashful and respectful Look and stood a little while gazing upon her not daring to speak to her but growing a little more bold he kneel'd before her and told her Madam your incomparable Charms strike dumb the boldest of Men I could not my self resist their force the first Moment I saw you I have begun to adore you My Passion is violent and if you can be so cruel as to deny me your Pity give me leave at least to expire at your Feet the most Vnfortunate of Mortals The Marchioness consider'd a little before she answer'd the Duke at last looking upon him with a Blush Prince reply'd she I am strangely surpriz'd at your Discourse your Passion can be no better than Criminal and my Duty forbids me to love you and betray my Husband Madam said the Duke with a sorrowful Look you have pronounced the Sentence of my Death and I care not to live any longer if you rob me of the Hopes of pleasing you Cliodora whose Temper was apt to receive the first Impressions of Love and who begun to feel something more than an Esteem for this new Adorer whom she thought extreamly Charming went out of the Room upon some pretence fearing lest her Tenderness should triumph over her Reason she begun to hug her self for standing this Trial without giving any hopes to her Lover But alas Love which subdues all by an irresistible force soon instam'd the Marchioness with a fire that she never felt before She loved the Duke from that very Moment but with so strong a Passion that never was a Woman so troubled and so uneasie and tho' she 's now very careful to avoid the sight of her Conqueror the God of Love whispers in her Ear that she must yield ere it be long The Duke who was still disappointed in his Endeavours to see the Marchioness abroad took one Day the Resolution to visit her at her House and had the good Fortune to meet her alone more Charming than the very Angels Cliodora was then in a careless but magnificent Deshabillee with Hair tied up with Amaranth-colour Knots and large Diamonds and her Breast half naked What Raptures did our Lover feel at the sight of so many Beauties He forgot in that moment all his other Mistresses nay he forgot his very self since he lay Speechless and as it were in a Swoon at the Feet of this lovely Person who looking upon him with languishing Eyes compleated the Duke's Defeat This Prince having recovered his Amorous Enthusiasm clos'd his Lips to one of the Fair Marchioness's Hands and bathing it with his Tears told her Madam if I commit a Crime in loving you your self are the cause of it your bright Eyes have inchanted me forgive me Divine Creature and consent to my Desires The Marchioness who by this time was in great Disorder made no answer to the Duke and sâ—emed to approve his Design by her Silence The Duke made use of so fair an opportunity to snatch some amorous Kisses Afterwards he went away fearing the Discovery of so charming and desirable a Mystery Being return'd home he reflected on his Behaviour with the Marchioness and was asham'd of his Bashfulness and Timidity I have been blest said he to himself with the sight of those Beauties that have heightned my Passion and raptur'd my Soul to the highest pitâ—h Those Eyes sparkling with Love those slâ—ming rosie Lips seem'd to bid me go farther than Respect and yet instead of improving the blest Occasion I have been at the Feet of that incomparable Person but a stupid faint hearted Lover As the Duke was thus arguing the Matter walking and fetching great Steps about the Room he spied upon his Table a Letter from the Countess Brigid who upbraided him with his Inconstancy and want of Faith The Letter contain'd what follows THE small trouble your Highnâ—ss has been at to preserve my Heart shews but too plainly how little you care for it but Heaven be prais'd I am not so blind but that I see all your Faults much better than you imagine The Wanton-ey'd malicious Marchioness that you visit so often and for whom I am told you are Mad will never be constant to you Poor Creature She 's in love with every new Face and compassionates the Sighs of all the World In a Word your Highness burns his Incense upon a very common Altar You will perhaps take ill at me what I say about your new Mistress and think that I am Jealous I own I love you so far as to be so even to fury but I will moderate my Transports and banish if possible your ingratitude from my Thoughts since it is not in my power to hate you The Duke having perus'd this Letter flung it down again upon his Table with disdain and said Do you think Madam that a Man can always love you at the same rate Faith I have other things to mind and my new born Passion finds me more business than any I ever had Besides you can boast of nothing that can come in Competition with my Charming Cliodora her Rosie Lips hr Lilly-Complexion her bright killing Eyes her sweet delicate Breast in short all her Lovely Person does Captivate my whole Heart nay I love whatever she touches and at these Words looking upon a Diamond-Ring he had on his Finger and which he remembred Cliodora had had on hers he kiss'd it over and over a thousand times Amorous Extravagance Not to be conceiv'd by any but those who have been so passionately in love as the Duke was The Count of Thoulouse his Brother who came to him in that very Moment could not forbear laughing at his Folly and ask'd what he did kiss with so much
Duke of Maine was going to reply when the King came in which made his Highness soon think of an Escape from his Majestys sight who he knew would presently ask him what he did there and if his Duchess at home was not sufficient company to entertain him Madam Maintenon being always a Friend to the Prince immeditely caus'd Camilla to Vanish likewise and continu'd only with her Monarch herself The Duke returning home was immediately ask'd coldly by his Wise whence he came and where he had been I have been walking Madam reply'd he in Vincennes Grove where I met abundance of Company this fair Day Was your Mistress there too Sir quoth the Dutchess smiling I have been toâ—d you were seen pretty near her not long since My Mistress who is that I pray Madam reply'd the Duke for I find you know more of her than I do Is it possible then you can forget contin'd the Dutchess her whom you are so often with Mademoiselle de of whose Charms you boast so inordinately can she be so indifferent to you as you pretend No matter reply'd the Duke with an angry tone and regardless mein have I not told you I would have you trouble me no more upon that Subject and yet you presume Pray meddle with your own Affairs and leave me to mine I don't pry into your duct Do I He had no sooner said these Words but he immediately flung out of the Room leaving his most unhappy Dutchess in the greatest despair in the World This Princess passed her time you may imagine but very uneasily and when she was alone she did nothing but weep and complain of her wretched Fate Next Day she went to wait on her Father the Prince of Conde to whom she related part of her Misfortune but he advs'd her like a wise Prince to make no great noise about the Matter and perhaps her Lord might be reclaim'd But nevertheless we see he is not like to be so nor perhaps ever will for any continuance At length the Dutchess perceiving she could gain nothing upon her Husband by Reproaching him for his Amours gave him his full swing to do as he pleas'd whereupon his Highness became more and more indifferent for Camilla every Day which this fair Creature perceiving immediately resolv'd to marry the Marquess Verveille My Lord Duke was so far from opposing it that the Marquess being his intimate Friend he thought fit to join their Hands which was the Cause even of Transport to his Dutchess who by these means thought her self deliver'd from all future distrust But alas this Humour of the Dukes lasted but very little for seeing his Quondam Mistress about to be married to another he immediately found in her a Thousand times more Charmes than before insomuch that his Love being but as it were suspended for a while came on with the greater force and would certainly have overset his Brain had not the Marchioness granted what she so vigorously before refus'd All this while his Dutchess was calm nevertheless some few Years after she sufficiently reveng'd her self by engaging in a strict league with the Count of with whom she afterwards spent many agreeable Moments and at last became wholly insensible of her Spouses Cruelty Thus have I reveng'd my wrongs said she one Day to her Consident The Duke of Maine takes but little care of me and at present I have as little regard to him Nevertheless added she moreover he has meerly forc'd me upon what I would otherwise never have attempted Do you Repent then Madam reply'd her Friend No dearest answer'd the Dutchess for the Count is a thousand degrees before him and over and above that he is more constant his Tongue likewise is better hung and consequently more Charms to be found in his Conversation Ay but Madam quoth the Confident it is but a little while since the Count has lov'd you all Persons are agreeable at first and perhaps when he has worn your Chains longer he may be as Rebellious as your Duke Men are disgusted by little and little and we likewise often loose much of the delight that Charm'd us at first Time will shew that reply'd the Dutchess but if ever any such thing should happen again sure I should Mortally hate that Sex for ever after nay I believe should never care to come in their Company again It is the fate of all Women Madam answer'd the Confident that love in a hot Country to You understand me Very well reply'd the Dutchess smiling And what was wanting in me continu'd her Friend to preserve the Heart of that faithless Man your Highness knows of Did not the treacherous Villain soon forsake me after Ay Villain indeed reply'd the Dutchess and it may be my Spark will think to serve me the same trick But if he does I 'll Chain him so fast to the Oar that perchance he may leave a Limb behind him before he gets free Oh Madam quoth the Confident All Men in general are Rebells meer Ramblers and it is most impossible to fix ' em They continually revolt and escape us often insensibly and there 's no way to make 'em constant but by a Power of varying our out-sides continually like a Camoelion for one face seldom long engages the same Heart Well quoth the Dutchess laughing But I have thought of a better way without effecting Impossibilities and that is by letting 'em feast upon our Eyes without having any thing to do with our Bodies Nothing will Plague 'em more then this Abstinence and we may be belov'd and ador'd as long as we please we must allow 'em an easiy Access to our Hearts and that will make 'em go forward with the greater Encouragement and Shame to return without effecting their enterprize will undoubtedly keep 'em from going back These Ladies thus entertain'd each other till a certain Visit interrupted their Conversation But let us return to the Duke of Maine who by this time perceiv'd his Dutchess with Child and which occasion'd him so much Joy that his Highness immediately quitted all his Amours and kept altogether to his own who was overjoy'd to perceive it and with which the King likewise was no less satisfy'd and t is hop'd moreover that the Prince of Dombe now Born may be a means for the future that they may live happily together I could have reckon'd up many more Passages relating to this Princes Life and Conversation but for several Reasons have thought sit to reserve 'em to another Opportunity when I promise to oblige the Publick more at large Till then Adieu FINIS
was innocentiy done on my side for I never thought he would have come to me there We always seek the Company of those that love us reply'd Monsieur with a sharp Tone and if the Duke of Maine was not sure of the Conquest of your Heart he would not be so eager to find you out Madamoiselle perceived well enough what her Father meant by that and being endow'd with a strange ready Wit and admirable Address where are those malicious Tongues reply'd she with assurance that have inform'd your Highness that I Lov'd the Duke of Maine so far as to make him run after me My own Eyes have told me so reply'd he going away and I want no other Witnesses Alas cry'd the Princess when she found her self alone I must loose you dear Duke and with you I must loose my Repose for ever Here her Tears and Sighs stopp'd her Voice and Mauritia who by this time was come in soon perceived by her Paleness and down-cast look the trouble and anguish of her mind Alas said she mov'd with pity in what a deplorable condition do I find your Highness You love Madam added she and that 's enough to make you Miserable That 's the cause of my Despair my dear Mauritia answer'd Madamoiselle all the World will talk of my Weaknesses my Heart is grown rebellious and unruly and consults nothing but its Inclinations It never was in my power to do otherwise than I have done therefore my Dearest pity my Misfortunes and consider my cruel Fate which makes me lead a pitying languishing Life and will shortly I fear hurry me to my Grave Mauritia being gone according to her Mistriss's Command Madamoiselle fell into a deep amorous Melancholy and gratify'd all those Griefs and Uneasinesses that can be conceived by none but those that have lost the Persons they loved The Duke of Chartres her Brother did somewhat alleviate her Pain by a thousand little Stories he told her of several Court-Ladies that were very busie and industrious in getting Admirers But said that Prince Smiling it signifies little to Conquer us the difficulty is to keep us when Conquer'd Most Women fancy that because they have Charm'd a Man at first he is presently their Slave for ever but truly they are mistaken we do not sell our Liberty at so cheap a rate No doubt Brother said Madamoiselle disguising her inward Troubles No doubt you are one of those uncertain Conquests I cannot tell dear Sister returned he Smiling The Duke of Maine however is more eagerly assaulted than I Five or six of our First Rate Beauties have this Morning Besieg'd his Heart with a numerous Army of gentle Leers amorous Glances and passionate Ogles which are like to carry it soon upon easie Terms The Duke of Maine's Heart Besieg'd reply'd Madamoiselle with an uneasie Concern and what will this poor Prince do to get out of this Danger He must reply'd the Duke of Chartres send for all the Artillery we have in Flanders to his relief or else he runs great hazard of loosing his Heart That 's an impregnable Fortress Brother said Madamoiselle the Duke of Maine has hitherto bid defiance to all the most conquering and dangerous Ladies and will he now surrender without resistance No I cannot believe it and I know something that perswades me to the contrary 'T is true return'd maliciously the Duke of Chartres that when a Man's Heart is once possess'd by an inclination it is a hard matter to make any sensible Impressions upon it He loves you Sister and how could he then feel the Darts of others The Duke of Maine answer'd Madamoiselle is not so deeply in Love with me as you are with his Sister every Body talks of the Passion you have for her they say you Love nay adore her even to Madness That 's a little too much and I am not so far gone reply'd the Duke of Chartres 't is true Sister added he Madamoiselle de Nantes is a most adorable Creature for besides that she is a perfect Beauty has a thousand agreeable charming and endearing Qualities she is Mistress of a great deal of Wit and good Nature a thing rarely found in your Sex which generally is all made up of Malice These Compliments Brother said Madamoiselle are not very Engaging But however I will acquaint you that you have a Rival no way inferior to you in any thing than can please a handsom Lady And who is this dreadful Rival said the Duke Cannot one be acquainted with his Name 'T is the Prince of Roche sur-yon answer'd Madamoiselle who has a great Passion for her For Madamoiselle of Tours the Eldest Sister you mean reply'd the Duke of Chartres with a disdainful Air for I am sure the Younger will never love him Who can answer for her Heart Brother return'd that Princess smiling A Lady's Faith is a small Assurance when expos'd to a thousand Temptations She may indeed swear an Esteem to her Lover but Oaths that pass between Lovers are easily given and as easily broken And how can any body build upon a Passion which is born one day and dies the next without so much as knowing the Principle of its Rise or the cause of its Fall Aristes and Eugenius two Great Philosophers discoursing one day by the Sea side about the original of that Passion did define it in few words Aristes said to Eugenius That Love is an agreeable Conformity that unites our Hearts and a secret Sympathy from which arises one of those je ne sçâ—y quois not to be express'd by words Certainly Sister reply'd the Duke of Chartres it is a very difficult matter to know the secret Tie that sastens us to the Person belov'd Our Love represents her more Beautiful than the Angels and without any Fault with relation to us who wou'd be sorry she shou'd be otherwise Madamoiselle and the Duke of Chartres were thus pursuing this agreeable Conversation when Madam interrupted them and told Madamoiselle she wanted her Company to visit the Princess of Conti. Madamoâ—selle readily comply'd with her Mother's desire and went where-ever the Dutchess of Orleans was pleas'd to carry her The next day following was spent in Hunting And the Prince acquainted Madam with the Marriage of the Prince of Roche-sur-yon with Madamoiselle de Tours Daughter to Madam Montespan And what 's the meaning of this New Match said Madam to the Prince of Conti The King you see Madam return'd he smiling takes care of his Children It seems he does answer'd Madam but methinks his Majesty might very well spare to Marry Princes of the Blood with such sort of Persons Have not we Marquisses Barons and Gentlemen enough in Francc to bestow them upon without Madam reply'd the Prince your Highness will see more than all this if the King lives He first began with me when he gave me the First Fruits of his Amours Madamoiselle of Vermandois whom I have marry'd tells me that often enough Prince said Madam I make a
of Maine who had a suspicion that the Marchioness was acquainted with his new Intrigue was at a loss how to manage a Woman so Jealous and so Troublesome At last to rid himself of her in as civil a manner as possible he counterfeited being Sick and acquainted her by a Letter that his Physician had order'd him to forbear conversing with Women upon pain of Death and that to cure his Melancholy he had prescrib'd him the Waters of Bourbon where he would go in few Days The cunning Marchioness smell'd out the Plot presently and perceiving her Reign was at an end she prevail'd so far upon her own Love and Jealousie that she receiv'd the Duke's Letter with great Indifference and made as if she believ'd all he said tho' she was sure of the contrary Here is the Answer she sent him upon his feign'd Illness and his going to the Waters of Bourbon ALas Fair Prince what would I not do to restore your Health A barbarous Feaver is like to blast your Lily Complexion and you are going to the Waters to put out its fire But I think your new Passion that has kindled it might quench it as well without going so far to deprive me of your dear Presence Alas How fortunate were Lovers in the first Ages of the World They were still loving still Constant and Faithful they never parted one from another and Treachery never wrested the Lover from the Mistresses Arms. Oh! Happy Times whether are you fled Why does not Heaven grant us now so great a Blessing I would not feel the cruel smart of your Departure Nor would you be delighted with change but rather place your Happiness in the Sweets of Constant Love Cliodora The Duke of Maine is so penetrating a Wit that he saw presently his Feint was discovered How cunning cry'd he is that Woman she seems contented to lose what she cannot have yet I am mad she shews no more Jealousie Alas She lov'd me not and I was a fond deluded Lover But why do I repine I ought to be glad of the Indifference since a nobler Passion possesses my Heart These Thoughts kept a long while the Duke of Maine seriously employ'd He was in suspence whether he should go to see the Marchioness or no. And one Evening as he was walking irresolute upon that Subject he found himself near that Lady's House who being then at her Window drew in assoon as she saw him The Duke for all her seeming Disdain pull'd a little Bell which was the Signal of their Secret Loves One of the Marchioness's Women led him into a dark Parlour where having perceiv'd under the Table and in a corner some Arms that us'd not to be there and considering besides that his Introducer had lock'd him in he begun to suspect something and leap'd presently out of the Window and made his Escape through the Garden The Marchioness who as I said before was jealous of her Love and Reputation even to Madness had taken the Resolution to murder him privately to revenge his Infidelity for that purpose had sent for some Men who were coming in great haste Mask'd and Disguis'd As soon as she enter'd the Room where she expected to see her false Lover she was so surpriz'd to miss him there that she fell into a Swoon and was Speechless for a while At last having recover'd her self she thank'd those Gentlemen who had taken this opportunity to be reveng'd of an Assront the Duke of Maine had given 'em at Play Cliodora who seem'd to be all Good Nature was indeed a Snake hid under Flowers She was now inraged to see her self disappointed in her Revenge and rushing with fury upon the Woman that had conducted the Duke into the Parlour Traitress cry'd she laying hold of her Neck thou hast betray'd me by causing the most perfidious of Men to escape my just Resentment He will now make me infamous to the World by publishing what wicked Design I had upon his Life but thou shalt be the Victim I 'll offer to my Revenge As she pronounced these Words in the greatest Passion imaginable the Marquiss came in with Sword in his Hand thinking that there were Thieves in his House But how surpriz'd was he to see his Wife with dishevel'd Hair a Dagger in her Hand Curses in her Mouth and wild Despair in her Looks putting a string about her Woman's Neck who I am told had formerly been her Nurse The Marquess prevented this fatal stroke cutting with his Sword the String that was ready to strangle this innocent Creature who as soon as the Tragi-comedy was over both out of Gratitude and Revenge put into his Hands all his Wife's Letters which were the proofs of her Infidelity He being a Man of much Honour and very touchy where his Reputation was concern'd enquir'd so nicely into all his Wife's Intrigues that being fully convinced of her Treachery he caused her to be put into so severe a Nunnery that she had the very Hair of her Eye-brows shav'd off The Duke of Maine who had underhand much contributed to the Marchioness's Confinement during Life was abundantly revenged without noise The Archbishop of Paris who was his Friend as well as of the Abbess of that Convent being acquainted with all the Story gave Orders to have the Marchioness now and then severely Disciplin'd as well for her other Sins as for this last Offence against the Duke which would have cost her her Life had he deliver'd her up into the Hands of Justice What is it that a Jealous Woman is not capable to do said the Duke one Day to his Friends without telling them the cause of this Complaint The Devil himself is nothing to her she is all Dissimulation and stops at nothing that is wicked to be reveng'd The Princess Illida who had these Words reported to her believed they were spoken upon her Account because some Days before she had shewn a little Discontent at a Present which the Duke of Maine made before her to Madamoiselle de Bourbon whom he always look'd upon as his future Spouse All these little Quarrels being over the Duke resolv'd to give a Diversion to a thousand Troubles he felt in his Mind and refresh his Heart which was tired with so many different Passions In order to that he made a Campaign in which he bent all his Thoughts upon Honour and Glory seldom or never remembring his Mistresses Being return'd home he paid his ordinary Visits to the Princess Illida who receiv'd him with Coldness and Indifference This was enough to disingage the Duke of Maine who cannot endure to be slighted and from that very moment he resolv'd to make another Conquest The Person he had a design upon was Madam Olida Wife to a Baron of great Reputation and intimate Friend to the Demoiselles de Tours de Nantes Sisters to the Duke As soon as he had made an Acquaintance with her the King Married the Duke of Anguien otherwise the Duke of Bourbon