airy Blessings Thus it was that Monsieur the Archbishop flatter'd his Passion in caressing the Queen who assur'd him on her part That she would be faithful to him as long as she liv'd and that she could never love any other but himself for Reasons that her Majesty could not express All these tender Protestations being at an end the Archbishop took his leave of the Queen and went with his Official to meet the Bishop of Meaux at the House of one of the Presidents who liv'd at Lisle Notredam After he had discours'd of Publick Affairs and of the Decrees which our Monarch had issu'd forth the two Prelates went to recreate themselves at Conflans about a small League from Paris where they drank so much of the Archbishop's good Wine that it warm'd the devout Friends of Bacchus to that degree as to tell what Favours they had receiv'd from their Mistresses which put them upon relating several pleasant Stories that held 'em a long time The Bishop of Meaux drank the Queen's Health smiling upon the Archbishop who pledg'd the Company very courteously telling 'em withal That nothing was more acceptable to him then to hear 'em talk of that Princess in whom he had observ'd an Extraordinary Merit and that Fortune was not just to abandon her Cause What you say is true Sir said the President but we are not alway rewarded according to our Deserts wherefore your Artists paint that Deity Blind Upon that the Bishop of Meaux could not forbear desiring his Friends to drink a good Health to the Archbishop's Inclinations naming no Body But in regard the Conquests that Love makes can be no more conceal'd then Fire it self every Body knew that Fair Ladies took up the greatest part of that Illustrious Prelate's time The President laughing at the same time said that Madam de Bourneville had a great Share in the Joy that appear'd in the Bishop of Meaux's Countenance Nor did that Prelate much gainsay it quite the contrary with a Courtly Aire he confess'd that he was as sensible of the Charms of handsome Ladies as another Man and that his Character could not mortifie his Passions and that the Prohibitions of the Church forbidding Matrimony and the touching any Woman did but corroborate the Propensity of Men to that Sex Every Body applauded the Bishop's Opinion which was maintain'd for Truth by several Glasses of Wine which they drank off and then threw over their Shoulders in honour of the Ladies Never was so much Incense offer'd to Bacchus and Venus as that Day which seem'd to be one of their Festivals After this Debauch was at an end which lasted a day or two the Pious Fathers of the Roman Catholick Church return'd to Paris more serious then ever King James whom the bad Condition of his Affairs had cast into a deep Melancholly and who knew not how to imploy himself to dissipate his Trouble and to divert the mournful Idea's that crouded his Thoughts for the Loss of his Crown spent his time in a thousand Trifles Amongst the rest he very frequently went to see his Son the Little Prince of Wales to dandle him and hear his Prittle-prattle which was very Extra-ordinary considering his Years Mademoiselle de Bordage a French Woman who was plac'd about him to teach him the Language and to govern him in the Absence of his Tutor always made a faithful Relation of the hopeful Parts of the Young Prince which made the King often laugh at her manner of Expressing her self But as it is impossible to avoid loving handsome Persons nor to let 'em understand as much King James resolv'd to make a Tryal of his Skill maugre his unwillingness to do it For the Poor Prince had so ill succeeded in his Amours as well as in every thing else that he durst not attempt the making of tender and amorous Declarations Nevertheless the Posture of his Affairs requir'd it to the end he might dispell the Troubles of his Mind as we have said already One day this solitary Prince said sighing to Madam Bordage That he was the most unfortunate of Men in all his Undertakings and that he never prosper'd in any thing which reduc'd him sometimes to that Despair that Death it self would have been welcome to him And indeed the King had no great Reason to take any Pleasure in this Life for every Body look'd upon him with Contempt since his Fatal Fall Mrs. Bordage seem'd to be compassionately mov'd with the King 's bemoaning his Affliction to her so that she endeavour'd to comfort him up the best she could VVherein King James observ'd a great deal of good Nature and thank'd her for her being so much concern'd in his Troubles His Majesty spent some time in Acknowledgment which grw up to Love and which he kept secret in his Heart without speaking a Word for above six Months But in regard that Passion cannot last long without bursting forth the King who was troubl'd with concealing it longer resolv'd to speak of it to her that had given it Birth and Growth but stil in dubious and far-fetch'd Expressions only to sound the Ladies Intentions The Fair Lady who thought the King was talking to her of some Advantageous Match shew'd her self nothing Squeamish in her Answers Which confirm'd our Amorous Prince in his Hopes For which reason he urg'd her one day to tell him Whether she could tenderly Love an Honest Gentleman who should think himself happy to please her Sir said she I know not what to say you puzzle me with your Proposal for I would willingly see the Person you propound You know Sir continu'd she that we must have a Sight of the Objects before we fix our Love that we may have some Foundation for our Passion 'T is very certain Madam reply'd King James but true Lovers are still afraid of being favourably heard and therefore they are not so forward to declare themselves at first If this Person you speak of Sir be a Person of Merit for any thing else you need not fear his being belov'd That Conceit of Madam Bordage's made the King laugh who reply'd I find Madam that you love handsome Young Men that have a great Deal of Wit Yes Sir answer'd she I have always had a Kindness for deserving Gentlemen The King perceiving this Lady would never love a Person who had so little to recommend him as he had she ath'd up his Complements without saying any more leaving the rest to Fortune tho' there is no great likelyhood that she will ever be kind to that miserable Prince The Curate of St. Martin who had not seen his divine Queen in some time went to the Convent of Mercy to visit one of his Kinswomen with a design to meet the Queen there who frequently went to visit the Princesses of Soissons both Prisoners in that place But so soon as the Curate saw her Majesty he chang'd Colour and seem'd to be abash'd which the Company well observ'd tho' they thought him only dash'd
Entry intâ— Paris with all the pomp in practise among the Saints At what time thâ— Dutchess of Portsmouth pull d out of heâ— Pocket a Letter which she had receiveâ— out of Bretagne from the Nunnery oâ— Joy written to her by Madam de Plein her Aunt who was Abbess of that Sanctify'd place wherein she set forth thâ— Penances she enjoyn'd her Nuns anâ— how happy they were that mortify'â— their Flesh in this World Such Godly Discourse began to offend the Queen who broke off the Pious Conversation by talking of New and the Gallantries of the Court Alâ— which time the Curate shew'd great Reservedness and Moderation by judging â—udiciously and soberly of the Persons mentioned which begot him so much â—he more esteem among the Ladies After which the Dutchess of Portsmouth and Madam P s having other Business left the Queen and the Curate alone together The Queen thus finding her self at liberty ordered Monsieur the Curate to draw his Chair a little nearer which he durst not do till after the Queen had commanded him several times Well Sir said she you may now believe your self the Most Fortunate of Men. The Curate blush'd to see the Queen so eager upon the business but answered her only with a Sigh which gave the Illustrious Enamour'd to understand that her new Lover was not altogether insensible of her forwardness And the Curate also began to feel his imagination somewhat Warmed when the Princesses of Soissons and Conti came to visit the Queen who had hid her Curate between the Wall and the Bedside where being tyr'd with the tedious Chat of the Visitants he laid himself gently down and took a Nap. When the Princesses were gone the Queen who thought the time of their stay to be an Age tript back to her Chamber and drawing the Curtains of her Bed beheld her Lovely Adonis fast a sleep which grieved her to the heart For that Princess was no Admirer of Drousie Galants as she would often tell the Dutchess of Portsmouth fetching a deep sigh with all That indeed the King her Husband went to Bed betimes But why was it my Dear continu'd she because he Loved Sleeping the best of any Man in the World The Queen therefore sitting down close by her Lover made a little noise which wakened him tho more doz'd with shame than with sleep Ah! My Dear said she presently What a Coward you are Such words as those would have raised the Courage of any Curate that saw the Shepherd's Hour at hand and had had any Mettle in him But the Great Looby fetch'd only a deep Alas Accompany'd with several Complaints which could not pay that Princess the satisfaction she wanted I know not whether it were the Presence of a Person of her Character or her too easie Condescension which had rendered our Abbot as it were immoveable and void of sence but certain it is he did not behave himself like one who was to receive such new Favours from a Queen being strangely nonpluss'd and quite out of order tho he were naturally a Boon Blade that never let an Opportunity slip besides that he was a great Lover of Nocturnal Rendevouzes The Queen who was offended at the stupidness of her Lover left him and retired into her Cabinet to ruminate upon what she had done During this Interval our Monarch was earnestly seeking for her to shew her certain Letters which he had received out of Ireland from Tyrconnel and Lausun giving him an Account of a supposed Victory by the Death of â—arshal Schomberg and the Wound which King William had received by the brush of a Cannon-Bullet These Tydings overjoy'd the Court to that degree that they made Bonfires and revell'd in Extravagancies even to Madness for above eight Days together All the Ladies and Lords spent their time in Debauches Balls Comedies Opera's and whatever else might satisfie their Senses The Dauphin entertained the Ilustrious Assembly at Choisi with an Extraordinary Magnificence and gave 'em all the Divertisements imaginable The Ladies went with the Princes and Lords a Hawking with their Feathers in their Hats and Accoutred in Scarlet Justacores The Princesses of Conti du Maâ—ere and Soissons wee Indefatigable Racers which engaged the Dauphin the Duke of Chartres and others in the same sport tho they were glad to yield the Victory to those Amiable Heroesses The next Day the Queen who had not yet well recovered her strength strook in with that same Troop of Gods and Goddesses on purpose to take a little Air and share in the pleasure of that Princely Entertainment attended by the Dutchess of Portsmouth the Marchioness of Seignelay Madam P s and several other Lords and Ladies His Majesty also and the Prince's who saw that the Presence of the Queen had angmented the Number of the Assembly ordered the following Night to be enlightened with Fireworks as a Testimony how glad he was to see her Our Monarch also who knew that the Queeâ— was a passionate Lover of Musick ordered a most Charming Consort and Symphony to be provided against the next Day for her more splendid Entertainment And the next Day they returned to Paris where they went to an Opera of Apollo and the Muses which was represented in the Palace and the next Day to another of Cephalus and Procris By this time the Curate of St. Martin who had reflected upon the Queens Favours and his own want of Courage was ready to Hang himself for having lost so fair an opportunity Coward as thou wert said the vext Lover to himself that could not answer the forward Advances of so Adorable a Princess nor recover thy self into a Condition to improve thy Good Fortune But I believe the Great Merit of that Incomparable Lady bewitched me since all that make a Man to be a Man was Insensible and motionless within me These Reflexions being over our Galant resolved to shew his Mistress all his Valour and to acquit himself after another manner for the future or else to be revenged upon his Carkass As for the Queen in the midst of all the Pleasures wherewith the Court had entertained her she had not forgot to ponder upon the last Advanture that had befallen her But in regard she had not spoken a word of it to any Body she the more comforted up her self with making a Mystery of her Amorous Secrets On the other side the Curate who burned with a desire to shew the value of his Parts adventured to wait upon his Princess whom he found musing in a Gallery that led to the Pr. of Wales's Chamber So soon as the Queen beheld her Gallant she fell a Blushing But having recovered her self from that dissorder which was the effect of her desire she requested him to walk into her Chamber where they presently fell to work about those Pleasures which the sweetest of Passions infuses Our Amiable Queen of Cyprus who appeared altogether Charming in those Delicious Minutes soon forgot her Sorrow for having discovered her Weakness to
Turenne privately by the cunning management of her Squire Mâ— du Mont who found a way to introduce the Monsieur at a back pair oâ— Stairs without any notice taken of him and who has since managed all his Amorous Intrigues with that dexterity thaâ— the Court has been kept in sgnorance This Squire advised the Dauphin neveâ— to visit the Princess till about Ten aâ— Clock at Night when her Husband would be at play at the Dutchess of Nemours which Monsieur who loves secresiy in Love carefully observed to do remembring the Custom of one oâ— the Dukes and Peers of France lately Dead who hired a House in the streeâ— Grenelle the backside of which joyned close to a Palace where lived a very pretty Woman for whose sake that he might privately enjoy her he broke a door out of one House into the other by which means they met as often as they pleased and no Body the wiser Madam de Turenne who passionately Loved the Dauphin staid for him one Evening in her Chamber with great impatience At length when the Dauphin came he found her somewhat melancholy of which when the Monsieur asked her the reason somewhat surlily she made answer That 't was her Misfortune to have an Amorous Delicacy quite opposite to the Humour and Genius of her Lover The Dauphin whom the sport of Hunting renders a little Rustic and who reserves no great politeness for Ladies answered her somewhat rudely as he rose up from her That Women by their little Tricks made Love Capricious Upon which the Princess understanding the humour of her Gallant ran to embrace him saying to him at the same time Ah my dear Prince you have not wherewithal to satisfie a Tender Lover which words pronounced with an extraordinary passion made the Dauphin fall a Laughing who told her that she knew that best Upon that the Princess of Turenne perceiving she should never be able to alter the Dauphin's Clownish Disposition fell a Laughing as well as he And so that Evening was spent in Toying after the Monsieurs manner and Monsieur having uttered some agreeable Expression to the Princess contrary to his Custom she returned him her Thanks after a very Courtly manner But at length the night being far spert the two Lovers parted well satisfied the one with the other The Prince of Turenne who had been playing till it was late at Madam de Nemours being by that time returned was desirous to go to Bed but finding it extreamly tumbled asked his Wife the reason of it who was at her Wits end for not having caused it to be made again before her Husband came Home So that the disorder she was in confirmed the Princes Suspicions so much the more but being come to her self again she told him She had been very much troubled with the Headach and that she had lain down several times to alleviate her pain 'T is very well Madam reply'd the Prinee with a discontented Look and now you are Cur'd I am sick The Disconsolate Lady not knowing what else in the World to do endeavoured by all the most tender Caresses imaginable to recover the Prinee into a good Humour who for his part little minded his Wifes Gallantries as being engaged at least in Intrigues so far distinct and not having any kindness for Mademoiselle de Ventadour whom he had Married for the Interest of his Family only as being the greatest Heiress in the Kingdom For these Reasons he treated his Wife but very roughly as not having any Tenderness for her being wholly taken up with the Countess de Rourre who had lost her Husband in the Battel of Flerus That Lovely Woman had the knack always to obtain an infinite number of Admirers And all the Sparks of Venus that beheld her burn'd with a desire to be fettered in her Chains We have said of the Princess of Turenne that she Lov'd with a certain Delicacy and Curiosity which consisted in a thousand little Punctilios On the other side the Countess de Rourre little car'd whether a Man Lov'd her or no so she could divertise her self and provided her Lovers sent her Magnificent Presents she left them the Liberty to change as often as they pleased reserving also the same liberty to her self And therefore it may be said That this Lady was a professed Coquet But notwithstanding this same Coquettry the Dauphin allow'd her a share of his Favours as well as the Princess of Turenne and many others But this not being to my purpose I shall say no more of it but only thus much That her Carriage being none of the Modestest nor so Discreet as it should be vexed the very Soul of the Count her Husband who would frequently Curse the fatal Day that had jâ—yn'd him to that sickle Wagtail The Dauphin who after the Death of her Husband had given the Countess du Rourre a very fair House near St. Honore's Gate went frequently to visit her and diligently waited on her as one of the most Amiable of his Mistresses On the other side that Charming Lady made use of all her Artifices her Amorous Dalliances and Tender Caresses to preserve a Heart which had no great Inclination to Love as being more affected with sporting in the Woods than between the Sheets 'T is the Nature of Coquetts to force their Humour to a Complyance with that of their Lovers For by that means they always keep a good Correspondence with them So that the Dauphin who had not those winning satisfactions that season the Ragoo's of Love could not forbear the having an infinite Tenderness for that Lady One Day that she was in her Cabinet and that she was sensible of a more then usual tenderness her Illustrious Lover came in to whom she said not a word At what time Monsieur admiring at the silence of his Incomparable Minioness demanded the reason and at the same time gave her a tender Kiss Ah! My dear Prince reply'd she with a sign I was mustering up all my Good Luck and that great Idea deprived me of my Speech Madam answer'd the Monsieur that defect is hereditary to your Ladyship because you are half a Norman My dear Prince said the Countess you take me one way and I mean another For my meaning was that I was so Charm'd with being never so little belov'd by so great a Prince that at that very moment I had lost the ordinary use of my Tongue I understand ye Madam reply'd the Prince with a smile but by those words never so little you seem to mistrust that I am not wholly at your Service This is an injustice done to my sincere Love and the real Affection I have for ye Upon that the Countess rose from her Seat and went to embrace her dear Lover who is extreamly pleas'd when a Woman that has a Kindness for him prevents him with some little Addresses I know not what they did more but believe that in all probability Lover was not satisfy'd with only bare Expressions
meet together The King being thus got Home was receiv'd but very coldly by his Domesticks For they began already to look upon him as a King without a Crown and as an Unfortunate person which extreamly afflicted him Our Monarch however dissembl'd the Contempt which he had of his Cousin considering it was more Generous rather then augment his Sorrows to divert his Mind with some Courtly Employment to which King James at first was altogether averse but then reflecting that all his grieving and lamenting would not regain him his Scepter nor the Dominion of his Kingdoms he banish'd all his Disturbances from his Thoughts for some time King James went often to Visit Madam Maintenon at St. Cir's and made her the Confident of his thoughts and of the Counsel which his Brother had given him to Court some pretty Lady which made the Marchioness Laugh however she told him That the Remedy was none of the worst and that Women were many times great helps to Men in this Life Yes Madam answered King James the pleasure of Courting 'em is not to be parallell'd to those that have a Contented Mind but to a person in my Condition Love is but an Vnwelcome Guest Upon this the Marchioness who found she had a favourable Opportunity to revenge her self upon her Rivaless and our Monarch who had preferr'd the favour of King James's Consort before hers and was very sedulous in waiting upon that Princess told King James That if he were resolv'd to undertake an Amorous Heart she would provide him a Lady with whom he might spend many a Charming Hour Madam said he I begin methnks to feel my imagination somewhat warm'd by the story you have told me But pray tell me Madam who this fair Lady is that you would have me male my Addresses to in this sorrowful Condition of mine Sir reply'd Madam de Maintenon Nature must reinforce her self before you can think of any such thing the Business is not very pressing besides that I must have time to work the Mind and Heart of the Charming Lady that I purpose for your Embraces After this pleasant Conversion King James took his leave of the Marchioness and return'd to St. Germains where he was no sooner Arriv'd but Mrs. Laybady told him That the Queen had had several Swooning Fits that Day and that 't was believ'd she was with Child To which the King answered somewhat unadvisedly That it might well be so but that he had been a long time Absent But Mrs. Labady was more discreet For she presently withdrew without speaking a word However the Fainting Fits that still disturb'd the Queen very much afflicted her petty Court. And the King who dissembl'd his Disquiet seldom stir'd from her In a word the Queens Malady left her in a sort time and all the Physitians after she had consulted them concluded That she was big of two if not of three A Midwife was also sent for who confirm'd the same which fill'd the whole Court with Joy and France also that had contributed so much towards it would needs partake in the Happiness of the two Princes unfortunate in every thing else The Venerable Council of Lewis the XIVth's Conscience were overioy'd at it beyond the Expression of Words For this second Off-spring rais'd the hopes of all the Jesuitical Assembly The Reverend Father La Chasse and several of the Religious Orders went to Congratulate the Queen upon her Fertility and the Blessing that Heaven had sent her Oh Madam cry'd the Holy Father Courage you shall Ascend your Throne once more in despite of all your Enemies For I find that the Saints have heard our Prayers particularly St. Vaubons to whom I addressed a thousand and a thousand Vows to the end her Girdle might work the same Effect upon you as it has wrought upon so many other Women that try'd the vertue of it In truth Father reply'd the Queen I believe the Blessed Girdle of that Saint to whom you paid your Vows did me no harm For I frequently made use of it according to your Reverences Advice with the usual assistance that begets Mankind In truth Madam your Majesty has too much Knowledge to believe that the Girdle of a Saint only without the Company of a Man can beget a Child Nevertheless Father reply'd the Queen there are many poor Women who are firmly of OPinion that they shall certainly be with Child by wearing that Blessed Girdle about their VVasts As for your self Madam reply'd the Father smiling you are Cured of that Ridiculous Belief VVhat a dangerous thing would it be continu'd the Father for Maids to touch St. Vaubon 's Robe when the single Ribbon which she ty'd about her Loyns being bound with Devotion about a Womans Wast could produce the Head of a Family After this manner it is that Pope Clement relates the story in his last Book of the Life of that Saint Thus it was that Father La Chaise let his Fancy ramble when Monsieur the Archbishop who had understood the welcome News as well as the rest came in Every Gallant of that Princess was extreamly pleas'd to understand that the Queen was big with Child for those Illustrious Lovers every one ascrib'd to themselves the Honour of the prosperous success of their Labours There was only the Duke of Vandome who swore the most seriously in the World that he had never dipt his Pen in the Queen Inkhorn Which became the Sport and Raillery of the Court The Dauphin also Laught at it saying That 't was a better Pen than any of the Doctors of the Sorbonne wrote withal and that in time Fame would spread his Name far and near The Princesses of Conti Lislebonne and Saissons spo ted after the same manner But that which ceas'd all these Railleries was a Pilgrimage which the Queen undertook wherein King James was also to be concern'd together with several other Devout Persons But he had earnestly desired his Beloved Consort not to carry any Woman with her for said that pious Prince Whereever they are there can be no Devotion Henry III. observed the same Policy when he walked bare-foot to carry his Offerings to any Saint Wherefore His Majesty was never Accompany'd upon those occasions but by some of his Minions clad like himself in White Linnen and wearing large Rosaries of which every Bead was carved like a Deaths Head King James being returned from his Pilgrimage found himself fully Comforted for the Loss of his Three Kingdoms I know not whether his Conversation with St. Clotilde had over ruled him wholly to submit to the severe Decree of his Malignant stars but there was a World of Joy observed to glissen in his Countenance About the same time it was that being one day with the Marchioness of Maintenon the Lady still desirous to revenge her self upon the Queen her Rivaless took advantage of that lucky tender minute to Talk to him of the Affairs of his Heart to which the King gave Answers very agreeable Some
end it may be publish'd to the World that this Great Belly of mine is no Fable as they who bereav'd me of my Crown believ'd and gave out O Heaven that know'st the Injustice done me prosecute my Revenge and thou Saint Vaubons who hast given Life to the Infant which I bear be thou for ever on my side Prove but thou faithful to me and I will burn upon thy Altar the largest Tapers I can buy for Money The Count de Lausun who had heard that the Queen was VVith-child Madam said he to her with a Smile I find that you have not been idle in my Absence and that Love has been your Friend Oh Cousin reply'd the Queen with a languishing Aire deride not an Unfortunate Princess that breathes nothing but Grief this Production is only the Effect of my Prayers to St. Vaubons Had yee no humane Assistance Madam said the Count proceeding still in his Jesting Humour None at all answer'd the Queen Then most certainly reply'd the Count St. Vaubons must be a Hermophrodite to get Children alone by her self You do not take the Blessings of Heaven in a right sense reply'd the Queen Let us find some other Discourse How did yee like the Irish Ladies are they as handsom as they are at London How many Mistresses had you during your stay in that Country Faith Madam I was so taken up with the VVar that I had no leisure to discern the VVhite from the Brown besides that I should never court the Irish Ladies they are so little obliging that they will never make any great Conquests Then you have been Visiting 'em Cousin reply'd the Queen laughing yet you would make me believe you never minded ' em I know that Mars and Venus have a great Sympathy together For which reason it is that Ovid shews us those two Deities surpriz'd in an Amorous Familiarity and fetter'd in small Chains that Vulcan had Forg'd to cure himself of his jealous Suspicions The Count would have gone on with his Pleasantries in answer to the Queen when King James arriv'd So that after some few Complements the King and the Count went together to the Fauxburgh St. Antoin to conferr with the Reverend Father La Chaise At what time the Holy Father gave King James a Writing the Contents of which were as follows Francis by the Grace of God and the Holy Apostolick See Archbishop of Paris Duke and Peer of France Commander of the King's Orders Protector of the Sorbonne and Superiour of that of Navarr with the Assistance of our Venerable Brethren Deans Canons of the Metropolitan Church and the Pious Council of Lewis the Great our Incomparable Monarch most humbly supplicateth the King and Queen of Great Britain James II. and Mary d' Este his Illustrious Consort to consent to the means which we have found out in our Holy Assembly speedily to restore Their Majesties to their Throne which is to publish a Declaration to their English Subjects therein desiring 'em not to join with King William with Promise to obtain all their Privileges and to give full Liberty to the English Religion to send back all the Foreign Soldiers so soon as he shall be restor'd to his Throne to let 'em see also that their manner of dispossessing him was unjust by justifying his Conduct desiring also the Lords of the Kingdom to come to Paris to be present at the Delivery of the Queen for the Dissipating of all false Reports that ran about upon the Death of his Son the Prince of Wales and that the Queen's time expir'd the 15th of May assuring those that should come into France all the Liberty they could desire The King and Queen return'd their Hearty Thanks to the Archbishop and all the Holy Society for the Good Counsel they had given Prayers were also appointed to be made in all the Churches for the Blessing of Heaven upon all King James's Enterprizes and Te Deum was sung before-hand there being no Question but that Victory would favour him Some days after all this devout Hurly-burly the Court remov'd to Marli to divertise themselves where the Count Lausun always Courtly according to his Custom gave the most magnificent Regale that ever was seen Balls and Comedies were not omitted for the Ladies to spend their time with pleasure and delight The next day the Count carry'd the Queen together with the Princesses of Conti d' Espiney and Soissons to an Opera where the Queen who is a passionate Lover of Musick was charm'd with a young Damsel's Voice who sung the last Airs of Baptist The Countess of Rourre who was one of those that went to Marli was one of the first that return'd that she might have more time to tast the Sweets of her Engagement with the Prince of Turenne At that time it was that he was so weak as to Sign a little Note with his Blood to that same Charming Countess wherein he promis'd to love her as long as he liv'd and never to change On the other side Madam de Rourre appear'd so charm'd with his Promise that she flung her self about his Neck and tenderly embrac'd him telling him withal That she would be as faithful to him as her Strength would permit For you know my Dear continu'd the Cunning Coquet that Women such as I am are subject to strange Temptations Nevertheless I assure yee I will separate my self from the World to the end I may give my self up wholly to you This was then the Opinion of the Fair Countess who at the same time presented her Illustrious Gallant with her Picture in a little Box and several other Toys as Pledges of her Love The Prince also Sign'd another Note with his blood that she should never see the Picture again till the Hour of his Death which fell out to be as he said for he was Slain at the Battel of Steenkirk By this time the Queen being deliver'd infus'd a general Joy into all the Court for the Birth of a second Child Our Pious Monarch had desir'd the Dutchess of Orleans his Sister-in-Law to be God-mother But by Misfortune that Princess who had a great Desire to have been at the Queen's Labour came too late tho' she set forth from St. Clou with all speed that might be However every Body congratulated King James for his good Fortune and several Ladies of Great Quality always stay'd in the Queen's Chamber by Lewis the Great 's Order who tenderly lov'd the Princess and took delight in thinking that by his Tillage she had produc'd so fair a Crop And indeed this Infant was compos'd of several Essences which in time will give it a most Admirable Odour in the World and be a means to perpetuate his Memory Monsieur the Archbishop made frequent Visits to the Queen during her Lying-in particularly to give her his Benediction and make her some other Presents of things necessary for the Support of Life Telling her withall to divertise her That he had order'd to be carry'd