proceed further if she continu'd silent he began to take greater Liberty then ever and perceiving that there was but a very slight resistance made and that both the Mask and the Silence did invite him to proceed he went on and was using the extremity of Violence when the Masqued Fair One perceiving it time to act another part pulled off her Masque and shewed the Duke the Face of his own Wife Never was there such a change put upon a Man so passionate as he was his surprize was such as may be imagin'd but not related He went out of the Chamber more affrighted then if he had seen all the Spirits of the other World and as he pass'd by some Lords and Ladies that were in the next Chamber he enquired of them what was become of the Lady Theresia The Lady Theresia replied one of the Ladies who had seen her go into that Chamber with him Was she not with You The Duke made no Answer but went on to seek after what he asked for The Dutchess having compos'd her self out of those disorders in which her false Husband had left her she went out of the Chamber and pass'd by the Company with much haste that here Gate which was somewhat different from Theresia's might not discover her These Lords and Ladies who did see her come forth did not know what to think of the Duke's Question Is not that said they one to another the Lady Theresia What ails the Duke In fine they gave an ill construction to the business and every one thought of it as he pleas'd But the Dutchess having some Fears that the Duke who was very passionate might ill treat those that had detained Theresia in her Chamber did run presently towards it to prevent Mischief where she met him coming forth leading Theresia by the Hand she had not the Power to look with Patience upon them and her passion which had been so lately stirred up with what had passed in Theresia's Chamber breaking forth there was no injurious Words that she did not say nor no Threatenings which she did not use against that Lady But she who did think to have at least as much cause of complaint against her for the violent detaining of her in the Dutchess's Chamber notwithstanding all her endeavours to get out did return the Dutchess as smart Language as she brought The Duke who could not remain Newter in a business in which his heart was so much concern'd was twice or thrice upon the point of putting in for one but at last his Prudence carrying it above the Transports of his Heart it not becoming him to take Theresia's part against his Wife nor agreeing with that tenderness of his Heart to take his Wives part against his Mistress he intreated the last to pursue her way and he conducted her into her Chamber This business having made a great noise at Court it was variously discours'd off no Person knowing what had pass'd in Theresia's Chamber The Duke himself did not relate it justly to his own Mistress for Fear of drawing her anger upon him as Doubtless it had done had she known all He only told her that having mistaken the Dutchess for her and having Conducted her into her Chamber he had pressed her very much to unmask but she not answering his desires at first he had said so many things to her that at last she had discovered herself Theresia could not forbear smiling at the Cheat though it was at her Cost but desirous to have satisfaction at what rate soever for this late insulting which she had receiv'd without cause she told the Duke that he was to prepare himself to see her depart the next Morning and that she could no longer remain with Honour in the Court after the manner with which the Dutchess did daily Treat her and that she did very well perceive that how virtuously soever she should behave her self his Wives Jealousies would be ever finding fault with her so that it were best for the satisfaction of all parties that she should retire The Duke who did harken unto her without the least motion could you said he to her Abandon me unto all that rage would make a Man do For there would be no desperate attempt in which your absence would not lead me and I do declare to you that if you have so little consideration for my Life you may perform what you threaten to do but you will no sooner be out of the Gates of Naples but that you will hear of my Death Alass my Lord reply'd Theresia What would you have me do Shall I be all my Life-time expos'd to be ill Treated in the Eyes of the whole Court And though you could ingage to the contrary shall it be said that after that the Dutchess has diverted her self at my cost shall run down with all the abusive Language imaginable a Person of my Quality in your presence What have I done to deserve so severe a usage at her hands Or rather added she with Tears What have I done to you to make you have so little regard for my Reputation that you will not let me quit this place that is so fatal to my Life Oh! Heavens what did I come here to do The Duke who was pierced through the very heart with her Words and Tears remain'd some time without answering Sighing and looking upon her with Eyes which did sufficiently express how much he was concern'd at all that she had said to him No Madam said he to her at last It shall not be said that that Person which I most Honour in the World and that I may safely say I Love a thousand times more then my Life does receive any Injury in my Court on my account and I not resent it give me continu'd he but twenty four hours time and all Persons shall know what is due unto you Ah! my Lord reply'd Theresia who fear'd some dangerous effects from the Dukes Passion I do conjure you to make no further noise about it there has been but two much already and I shall fear that at last it will all fall upon me no Madam reply'd the Duke you have been offended without cause I will have that satisfaction given that is due to you and you shall see Persons return to you without the least noise The Duke did continue some time longer in discourse with that Faire one to conclude the diverting of her from a design to which of truth she had no great Inclination and having left her at last he return'd not to the Dutchess who spent the whole night in a fruitless expectation of him the Disconsolate Lady did believe that she had had sufficient cause of Complaint and of afflicting her self without the addition of this last unkindness of not seeing the Duke all that night she was extreamly concern'd at it she sent secretly some Person of trust to learn where he had laine but none could give her any account of it at last she was inform'd
then all ours lasted not much longer The Master of it having great reason to conclude it before the time which he had designed it should After which every one having taken the way to the City I took leave of Theresia who put her in the Dutchess's Coach with whom she had come thither and the Duke who was to accompany them did not but came to ask me room in mine I did receive that Honour as I ought but I did soon perceive to what it tended and after we had been some time without speaking I must needs confess My Lord said he in a slighting manner whiâ—h did sufficiently express with what a Passion his mind was posses'd that for a young Man you are very knowing and that your love of indifferency has had no bad success There are none but for you now at Court and your vanity extends so far as to carry your designs on Persons towards whom you ought not so much as to lift up your Eyes I know not my Lord I reply'd in what it has ever appeard that I have lost that respect which I owe you That business answer'd he has not need of any further clearing what I tell you is sufficient to put you in mind of your duty it is time for you to re-enter into it you are Young I have some considerations for the Family whence you came without that it is like that I had not acted with all the moderation that I do at present But abuse not any of it and make good use of this advice that I give you I am very unhappy My Lord I reply'd thus to incur your displeasure but more that I know not by what means I am fallen into that misfortune all that I can do is to depart the Court and if you desire it I will quit the Kingdom also rather then give you the least disquiet Those ways that make such noise are not convenient answer'd he when you know what it is that I desire of you do it and then when you think good to be gone you may without giving any intimation of the cause thereof The Conversation went no further we remained all the rest of the time in silence until we came to the Palace where he told me again that I should think on the advice which he had given me But I had no sooner quitted him that seeing him take the way to the Dutchess's Appartment whence I did not think that he would come forth again that night that I went to Theresias Lodgings being impatient to learn what Entertainment she had had with the Duke I found her undressing and she no sooner did see me but that she told me in a Languishing strain that the Dutchess had given her an Intire Divertisement and that now she did believe her more Jealous of me then of the Duke all her business having been to learn where we two had met so as to return together I also related to her all that had pass'd in my Coach with the Duke So that we were both Laughing heartily at it when the Duke came into the Chamber which did very much surprise me But Theresia Laugh'd more lowd then before at it which put him as much out of countenance as I had been who had no other thoughts but of retiring as I did personally I did well imagine that this last surprise would make an end of placing me ill in the Dukes opinion Therefore I did design not to appear at Court all the next day fearing as he was very hastey that in some suddain action he should express his resentments against me But I was scarce out of my Bed the next Morning that one of his Gentlemen came to call me as from him I went into a Gallery where he staid for me and after he had receiv'd me with such a cold Air as did sufficiently shew how he forc'd himself I did believe Lord N. said he that I had sufficiently given you to understand how far my nicety extended in respect of some Persons and I know not if it is that you would have me to express my self in that manner that such a contempt as you make of what I say to you does deserve You did only mention to me my Lord said I such Persons towards whom I ought not to lift up my Eyes and I did not believe that that command did extend so far as on all kind of Persons and that I ought not to look on any body especially when you could not imagin that I should have any design in it Whether I have spoken to you of it or not reply'd he in a lowder voice you know sufficiently those Persons in which I pretended to have some Interest and if I find you there again I would not advise you to carry it off without Laughing for it would be Dangerous for any Person whatsoever to Laugh in the Court at my Cost You being not in the Chamber My Lord I answered him mildly when we began to Laugh No no interrupted he what I say is sufficient it is not good to play the Jester with me here You forget your self see where you are and you will know what you owe me Upon this he left me hastily not hearkning any longer to what I said This Treatment did seem something harsh though I had deserv'd part of it and I judging that I should not pass my time very well in that Court being thus out with the Duke who would certainly have my steps observ'd I took the resolution to be gone But in the condition that I found my heart at that time it was almost impossible to get his consent to leave so soon that Country it was not now the Dutchess that did detain it only It was Theresia also for whom I had always had a greater inclination who notwithstanding the cause that I had given her that Night of Anger against me had not treated me with all the rigour that I might have expected from her And even the manner after which she had return'd with me to the Company and that we had after that discours'd together had not any thing in it which gave me not hopes that she had no mind to hate me long Finally so many other things which came into my mind and so many Amorous Ideas which I had upon all those liberties which I had taken with her having render'd me more passionate then ever I chang'd the resolution which I had taken of absolutely quitting that Kingdom to an eight days absence from Court to give way to the Dukes Anger and to learn in what disposition of heart my two Ladies were and how they would take my absence I did think my self oblig'd to give them notice of my departure and this is the Note which I Writ to the Dutchess IF I had not fear'd disturbing the joy of your being so well reconcil'd to your Husband I could not have hindred my self from seeing you and of taking leave of you at my Retiring from Court notwithstanding any
Gallant Memoirs OR THE ADVENTURES OF A Person of Quality Written in FRENCH By Monsieur S. BREMOND And Translated into ENGLISH By P. BELON LONDON Printed for R. Bentley and M. Magnes at the Post-Office in Russel-street in Covent-Garden MDCLXXXI To Her Grace the DUTCHESS OF ALBEMARLE MADAM I Am in doubt whether your Grace will have the goodness to Pardon me the Liberty that I have taken but I am perswaded that a Cavalier of the quality that mine is who crosses the Seas on purpose to have the Honour of entertaining you with a Recital of his Choicest Adventures cannot be ill receiv'd by so Generous a Lady as you are For my part seeing him in such an ardent Passion of going to give you that Divertisement I could not but abandon him to his happy destiny But if for his Audacious Enterprize He punish'd were by those bright Suns your Eys And forc'd to yield his Breath Yet where 's that Mortal that would not despise And to Your Greatness his Life Sacrifice To gain so sweet a Death He is a Stranger Madam who is going to chuse you out in the midst of one of the greatest Cities in the World There might be cause for him to fear the committing of a mistake in this enterprise were there not so great a difference between you and all the rest of your Sex that thereby you may easily be distinguished from the whole Universe Yet at his setting forth he has been Furnished with most faithful Memoirs upon your Illustrious Person as your Grace may here perceive She is a Lady who by the Qualifications of her mind as well as those of her Body sets a remarkable distinction upon her self where-ever she appears She has the Soul of a Sovereign Greatness and Pomp attend her even in the least of things nothing in this World more High and more Great then her Heart and at the same moment nothing more sweet and more generous insomuch that according to the varieties of occasions with the same mind that she is observ'd to maintain her Rank with those of her Quality she is seen to stoop for to rise and approach to her self those that being beneath her greatness fly for succour to her Generosity Magnificent Liberality and even Profession it self are Qualities which are ordinary with her Yet not without order and choice of time and Persons I omit mentioning the Charming air of her Person her agreeable conversation which affords pleasure and delight in all places that she makes happy with her presence Of the agreements of her Face of her Shape and Stature and of all that which appertains unto a body perfectly accomplished Those are such advantages as may be term'd in common with other Ladies who might expect the same praise for them but in the representation of a Person so extraordinary none but such stroaks and touches are to be imploy'd That secret Grace which is the Spring whence all the others flow bestow'd by the Heavens on so few Mortals which all the World admires but cannot express it though it is the desire of all Hearts does appear in all her words and actions in such a measure that all that she sayes or does is Illustrated with this particular Charm which attracts the Love and admiration of the whole World upon her None can have a more Penetrating Wit and quicker apprehension then she is Mistris of wherewith she unravels in an instant the most intricate things and Judges of the most Witty ones It is a very modest way of praising so Illustrous a Dutchess to only say that she is a capable Judge of the works of the mind since that it can be aver'd that when she pleases she can produce most accomplisht Pieces of her own growth And if we will believe those that have a more Particular Knowledge of her sufficiency it has happened that by way of Divertisement and as it were in play her great Genius hath produced such Works as the Famous Drayden would with Pride have own'd for his It suffices to say that she is the Protectress of the curious Wits not to doubt that she has a large store of her own It were very easy to know her by so many advantageous Qualities which are so rare in this Age But that which is to make up the perfect knowledge of her and which is a most Glorious and Splendid advantage in a Person whom Heaven and Nature have taken delight to accomplish is that she is Daughter unto the Duke of Newcastle Grand-Daughter unto William Duke of Newcastle who did command the late Kings Armies with so much Valour and Conduct that thereby he has merited that glorious memory which the Historians mention of him It is that that she is Wife unto the Illustrious Duke of Albemarle who through his rare merit has acquired the esteem and affect 〈◊〉 of his King 〈…〉 has Honourâ—â— him vvith the Quality of Knight of the most Honourable Order of the Garter of one of his Bed-Chamber-Men one of his Privy Councellors and Captain of his Guards Those Favours from the hands of a Prince who can discern Persons were sufficient of themselves to make up the Elogy of so worthy an Husband if there was not to be added that he is Son to that Great General Monk unto whom the Royal Family would be more indebted then it were able to return if a Subject did not owe all unto his King What Nobler union then that of those two Houses which have been as the two Colombs that have supported the Crown which the most furious of Rebellions had so much shaken'd and in whose Bosom the almost expiring fidelity of a whole Nation has not only found a refuge but such a succour also as it stood in need of wherewith to re-establish it self Doubtless Madam but that it is very surprising that I should at this distance draw so just and so particular a Portraict that it seems as made after the life but I will confess to your Grace that I am Indebted for the principal strokes thereof unto the Illustrious Author of Cleopatra and the thing is not so extraordinary that he who has Painted with such neat Touches a Princess for whom he could have no other Passion then that which such Learned men as he himself have for Antiquity should furnish me with such Curions Colours in favour of an incomparable Dutchess for whom he has so much veneration Yet I must confess that they had had quite another effect had they been laid on with his own Pencel and had his Courteous assistance accompanyed me to the end my respects would not be reduced to have no other advantage then that of Distance to assure you from more then an Hundred Leagues that I am MADAM Your Graces Most Humble and most Obedient Servant S. BREMOND Gallant Memoirs OR THE Amorous Adventures OF A Person of Quality THE Mode of writing ones Own Adventures is now so much in Fashion that I Thought I might without the least scruple make a
Present of Mine to the Publick For through the great Noise which they have made in the World they have been known to so many Persons that it would be almost impossible but that some Authors as they are in these days very greedy of these sorts of News would undertake to publish mine I will free them from that trouble And though some other more vers'd in the manner of Writing then I am might perform it with more agreements and after a more Polite manner yet I am very certain that none can relate it with more order and sincerity then I shall do which is not the least agreeable seasoning of these sorts of recitals I was born at Madrid of one of the most Illustrious Families of that Kingdom and my Father having no more Children but me he left me at his Death a sufficient Estate to appear in that Court in Figure suitable to my Birth But an inclination of visiting Foreign Countreys which is so rare in my Countrey-men having seas'd on me in my very youth without the liberty of enjoying that satisfaction during my Fathers life I did no sooner find my self Master of my own liberty but that I design'd to leave the Court of Spain for some years I was then in my twenty third year my affairs were in very good order and I having communicated my designs to some of my principal Relations I went from Madrid with their consent to begin my Travels through Italy There lay at that time two Galleys at Barcelonia that were bound for Naples I came there with a considerable retinue for a Traveller and every thing concurring with my desires my Voyage was so happy as to bring me to Naples in eight days of favourable weather The Duke of N. who govern'd there in Quality of Vice-Roy and who was advertis'd of my comming as an Intimate Friend to my Family was Ravished with joy at my Arrival and did give me the kindest reception that I could expect from his Generosity and Friendship I found that Court very delightful and filled with divers Persons of Quality that the Dukes Gallant and Obliging Nature did draw thither from all parts of Italy He being the Lord in the World that most affected all manner of divertisements and the most Ingenious Contriver of them My Relations had sufficiently instructed me after what manner I was to conduct my self in that Court but there is not any thing like the practice which with some natural inclinations of my own did make me learn more in eight days experience then could have been told me in eight Months I found that as in all other Courts Love or if you please the Mistresses did Govern each Courtier being provided with his after the Dukes example and that the time was ill spent there without some amorous engagement Yet I had no great mind to engage my self so soon in any such concern Love Frights young Persons who know not yet what it is And besides I have such an esteem for Liberty that I was fully resolved not to part with Mine but as late as I could Many times by reason that in all the Matches of Divertisment which were daily repeated I was the only Person that did not as the rest I was therefore in a manner oblig'd to entertain the Dutchess and those Ladies of her Retinue that through disdain or their ill Fortune had no share in those Love Gallantries This at last put into my mind that I ought at least to pretend Love I was young a Stranger Genteel having a great Retinue and making a great shew in Expences which were sufficient qualifications to gain Ladies with who would no doubt have receiv'd me on the bare account of Gallantry as I desired to be Yet being to fix upon one I would willingly have chosen one for which none could have blamâ—d me there being in my design more of Ambition then of Love I did cast my Eyes on divers and if I durst have follow'd my own Inclination I had not fail'd of adressing my self to the Dukes own Mistress Who from the very first moment that I have seen her did appear to me one of the most agreeable Persons of the whole Court Yet I was not so far gone as to venture to become the Concurrant of so considerable a Rival All the other Ladies were equally indifferent to me and be it that the prevention which I had for Signora Theresia so was she nam'd did leave me but very little inclination for all the rest or that my time of Love was not yet come I knew not on whom to pitch Signora Theresia was a Lady of one of the prime Families of Naples her Father being dead the Dutchess unto whom she was near ally'd did desire to have her with her This invitation being both Honourable and Advantageous for her she left the Countrey where she liv'd some ten Leagues from Naples and appear'd at Court as a rising Sun There was at that time but very few empty Hearts at Court but as there is never want of such Persons as have a great inclination unto double dealings Her Beauty was soon assaulted by divers sighing Lovers The Duke who was the Man of the World the most apt to receive any impressions of Love and who Lov'd the Dutchess but just as much as needed not to hate her though she was one of the most Amiable Ladies of Spain did find such Charms in Theresia as did sufficiently agree with the desires of his Heart It is probable that if he could have foreseen and imagin'd that an engagement of this nature would have gone so far as it prov'd at last and that it would have had such dangerous consequences he had been just enough to have said some restraint upon his inclinations But as it is usual Love did not give him time to make all those reflections that we have made use of and he found himself surpriz'd unawares The Duke did daily behold Theresia who never stirr'd from the Dutchess who lov'd her as her own Sister All the kindnesses and endearments which he did express for her did pass at first but for the pure effects of his usual Gallantry But the Dutchess who knew best her Husbands Weakness and who had greater cause to observe him then any other had having taken notice that all his care for Theresia did daily increase was not long finding out the true cause thereof It is very rarely that a Woman deceives her self on that account they rather alwayes believe a little more then there is in it She was a penetrating wit and of a Jealous Temper as are generally all the Women of that Countrey She at least fear'd that this Gallantry with the cares and assiduity which attended it would soon be converted into a passion to prevent which she did design to use all the cautiousness and other remedies that a prudent and discreet Woman should judge necessary She takes Theresia aside she tells her all the Gallantries that the Duke had formerly
me to do reply'd Theresia but I cannot forbid him seeing of me It would too much concern my reputation What would he think of it continu'd she that you are Jealous of him or it may be that I Lov'd him Do you not put me my Lord added she on such observances You have already but too much expos'd me to publick talk and I will not make an end of ruining my self Well Madam reply'd the Duke with some passion I shall forbid him my self since that you will not That were the way reply'd Theresia to increase my design of seeing him That you say reply'd the Duke is the way to give you the greater desire of seeing him Yes doubtless reply'd Theresia and I do confess to you that that manner of Living to which I am daily reduc'd by you is very cruel it will at last come to pass that I shall be compel'd to be Lock'd up like a Prisoner in my Chamber as in a manner I am already without the liberty of seeing any body Rather say Madam interrupted the Duke that you have not began to take notice of this cruel Life which others would not call so But since the Lord N's absence that wheresoever he is not you will think your self uneasy and restrained and that in fine to gain your favour I must my sefâ— invite him again to Court and if you please conduct him to your Appartment It is pitty he hears you not reply'd Theresia and I do believe that if he did but know the good Offices that you render him towards me that he would return you thanks for them For to tell you the truth to act as you do would not be a means to drive a man from my heart If he were there it would rather be Yes it would interrupted the Duke in a passion having not the patience to let her make an end be the way to make you Love him This is already done continu'd he but I shall prevent him for enjoying such an happiness It is not from this day that I know you to be Passionate reply'd Theresia rising to be gone but if you would believe me continu'd she you would not be too hasty on that account I shall not take Councel of you reply'd the Duke and I do engage that before it be Twenty-four hours longer I shall rid my self of a person that gives me too much vexation not to invite me to Banish him out of the Kingdom And I engage to you reply'd Theresia that before Twenty-four hours are pass'd I shall be no longer in this Court. That 's the way reply'd the Duke to make me drive more home my resentments Drive or not reply'd she this is what I will perform by to Morrow By this time they were got too far from me to hear any more of their discourses neither did I think it convenient to follow them after what I had heard It is certain that there never was any pleasure like to that which this conversation did give me and that if Love had not engag'd me already to give my heart unto the Beautiful Theresia the bare knowledge of what she had done that night for me had oblig'd me to Love her most passionately There wanted nothing to make me perfectly happy but the satisfacton of seeing her again one moment only before I went from thence as she had promis'd me but it appeared to me too much happiness at once Yet she out-went my hopes and I did see her return even before I expected it by reason that the Conversation which she had had with the Duke in the Garden being not pleasant as to invite him to the continuation of it in her Chamber he had retired as full of Jealousy and Spight as ever was a Lover I did run towards her so soon as I perceived her and casting my self at her Feet What is it that I do not require of you Madam said I after that goodness which you have expressed towards me this Night had I a thousand Lives though I should expose them all for you I could not repay so many Graces and Favours Alass my Lord reply'd she causing me to rise I fear very much that on the contrary I have given you cause to hate me I am return'd but only to tell you with what rage against you the Duke has left me and at the same time to intreat you not to wait the effects of his Passion but to depart this very night from these Dominions I Madam said I interrupting her go out of this Kingdom to leave in the hands of a most violent man and of a Rival all that is dearest to me in the World a Lady that has laid a side all other considerations to take my part and to shew that I was more then indifferent to her Yes my Lord reply'd she I have done so and I can farther say that I have done nothing in that but what my heart has allowed of And that if you have found me according to your heart the first time that you did see me I have not found you unworthy of mine from the very first moment that I saw you and that if ever any thing did vex me in all my life it was when you gave the King unto the Dutchess which in truth I expected for my self And you had had it that Ring answer'd I if it had been the Choice of my heart which did then sufficiently draw me towards you But the Duke Yes the Duke interrupted she always contrary to my happiness will be the cause of my Death The cause of your Death Madam said I I it is not now time to extend your self on this Theme reply'd she you must think of returning your self with the soonest into some place of safety that I may have no more to fear as to your Life You to fear in regard of my Life Madam I reply'd with an Air wholly transported know that if it must be sav'd it cannot be but without you and that I should sooner deliver my self up into the Dukes hands than abandon you If I had not my Honour to mind my Lord reply'd she sighing I find a sufficient willingness in me to follow you and to desire no other â—ortune then yours but the Honour of a Person of my Quality What Danger is there in this as to your Honour said I interrupting and Embracing her with all that Tenderness that I had with a man that gives you his Faith from this very moment She remain'd some time after this without answering and presently leaning gently on me If you give it me said she with a languishing voice Will you keep it then I redoubling all the protestations that a man in such a Passion as I was could utter It is sufficient said she I am satisfi'd let us retire and do what is most convenient to shelter us from the Dukes violent temper for in the condition I am at present I do not find my self capable of giving you any Councel I did then propose