Heiress of the House of Rohan without the consent of the Dutchess of Rohan her Mother who to be reveng'd of her set up a Brother of whom as she said she lay in privately at Paris the 18 of December 1630 upon her return from Paris in the presence only of two Women and her Apothecary She pretended also that she had caus'd him to be Baptiz'd under Counterfeit Names because her Husband was then at variance with the Court that she had nam'd him Tancrede and that she had caus'd him to be bred up by a Lady of her acquaintance call'd Mademoiselle Millet That the Duke of Rhoan returning to Paris in 1634 saw this Son of his several times with great satisfaction That the Spaniards having taken Corbie in 1636. and the Parisians having taken the Alarum she sent away Tancrede into Normandy to the Father of Temon her Steward to secure his Person till she could take him along with her out of France That this Son was stolen away by people unknown the 2d of February 1638. That seven Years after she discover'd that Tancrede had been stollen away by the order of Mademoiselle de Rohan and carri'd to Leyden in Holland where his Pension was paid to a Merchant by his Sister However it were the Dutchess of Rohan sent for this Son whether real or supposed to Paris and the Duke of Guise at the Request of M. de Pons who was a particular friend of the Dutchesses went to meet him took him into his Coach carry'd him to his House and declar'd himself his Protector while Monsieur the Prince with great heat supported Chabet's Interest but Tancrede was kill d in the Civil Wars and so put an end to that Controversie The Duke of Guise understanding what effect his Letters had produc'd resolv'd to make one fair push for it to open the Passages and make way for Provisions to come to the City To which purpose he went and laid Siege to a little Island within a League of Naples and within a few hours reduced the Spaniards that were in the Fort to Capitulate Now in regard the place was not to be deliver'd till the next day the Duke was forc'd to stay there all Night and in that time Gennaro together with the chief Magistrate of the People and the rest of the Dukes Enemies sign'd the Treaty which they had made with the Spaniards and deliver'd the Principal Posts of tne City into their hands So that when the Duke would have return'd he found the Gates shut and an Enemy fireing upon him He sought then to make his Escape with some Squadrons that stook to him but all the Passes were so well guarded that he was forc'd to yeild himself a Prisoner Don John of Austria who at that time commanded the Spanish Army in the Kingdom of Naples after he had kept him some for time in the Castle of Puzzuolo sent him to Segovià in Spain where he remain'd some years and ran a great hazard of his Life becuse he had not been own'd by France During his Imprisonment Mademoiselle de Pons became unfaithful to him for having at a Ball at Chauron the Presidents Wife 's House beheld Malicorne the Chavalier de Hautefort's Brother who seated himself at her Feet to discourse of Love she took an Affection to him and forgot all that the Duke of Guise had done for her However this Passion was thwarted by Malicorm's Family who did all they could to break off this Engagement but all their Obstacles serv'd only to unite 'em more closely together nor could the return of the Duke of Guise oblige 'em to a separation But before we speak of the Revolutions that happen'd the next Year 't is requisite we should say something of the rest of the Queen's Maids of Honour Mademoiselle de Chemeraut had marry'd La Basiniere Treasurer of the Privy Purse and Mademoiselle de St. Louis was wedded to the Marquiss of Flavacour Mademoiselle de St. Megrin after she had harken'd a while to the Marquiss of St. Meme the Monsieur 's first Esquire broke off with him to engage herself with the Marquiss de Broutte Collonel of the Regiment of Navarr whom she took for her Husband when the Civil Wars were at an end Mademoiselle de Nevillan made choice of the Duke of Novailles who at the conclusion of the Troubles made her his Wife So that there was only Mademoiselle de Guerchi that could not meet with a Husband She had quitted the Commander de Jaret wholly to give her self up to Jeannin of Castille the King's Treasurer and she carry'd herself with so little reserv'dness that the Queen expell'd her the Court. However the Duke of Vitry engag d with her for all that and treated her with as much respect as if she had been a Lucretia tho' she had had four or five Children by several Fathers More then that she grew with Child a sixth time and the Duke being desirous to preserve her Reputation which he would not believe to be quite so much lost as it was nothing would serve his turn but that she must come before her Time 'T was in vain to cry she should be overjoy'd to have such a Pledge of their Friendship he was absolutely resolv'd she should destroy the fruit of their Amours and sent her a Midwife whose name was Constantine who would needs deliver her by force but she dy'd in the Operation and Constantine was hang d. The Duke of Vitry was a long time a comfortless bemoaner of her death and preserv'd the Memory of her so charily that he afterwards engag d himself with a common Harlot because the Strumpet resembl'd her And that Woman being enrich'd by his Liberality marry'd afterwards the Marquiss of Goudron a younger Brother to the House of Gamache 1649. The Duke of Beaufort having made his Escape out of the Castle of Vincennes enter'd into a new League with the Princes of the House of Lorrain the Parliament and the People who had taken Arms upon the Imprisonment of the President Blanc-Menil and Broussel a Councellor in the same Body which enforc'd the Queen to besiege Paris Monsieur the Prince who then adhear'd to her Interests commanded the King's Army and constrain'd the Mutineers to Capitulate But the pretentions of the Prince whose extraordinary service had augmented his Reputation were so great that Mazarin fearing least he should grow too Powerful resolv'd together with the Queen to arrest not only him but the Prince of Conti his Brother and the Duke of Longueville his Brother-in-Law The Marquiss of Miossans had the Warrant and did this business with so much address that in recompence of his service he obtain'd a Marshâ—l of France's Battoon and was afterwards call'd Marshal d' Albret The three Princes were carry'd to the Castle of Vincennes Guarded by the Marquiss of Barr thence remov d to the Castle or Marcousins and from thence to Havre de Grace The Princess of Conde and the Dutchess of Longueville not being able to
not insensible of the goodly presence and Virtues of Theodebert was not over desirâ—â—â— to part with him so soon and therefore she made him answer that she would not wrong his Civility since it was not just be shoâ—â—â— deprive himself of a Pledge that might he worth him the Conquest of Riâ—iers This Language was accompany'd with so passionate a look that Theodebert might easily perceive that an Incitement more perswasive then Generositie made him refuse a happiness that was to be esteem'd and prefer'd above all other cares of War and therefore prepar'd to attack â—etiers Which Deuterie having notice of gave him to understand that she could not without a more then ordinary Grief behold him shed the Blood of a People among whom she was Born and that during the Siege she should be in continual fear for the Person of her Husband who upon all occasions would verture himself as far as the meanest Soldier which Reasons seem'd so plausible that Theodebert submitted Tho' Deutetie all the while was sway'd by a far different moâ—â—â— as being 〈◊〉 afraid of her Husband's Death then of the effects of his anger Had be discover'd hâ—â—â—eve he might have been precipiâ—â—ted to some 〈◊〉 Violâ—â—ce which made Deuteâ—ie desire that Theodebert would remove to some farther distance that might deprive him of the knowledge of their intreague and she understood to 〈◊〉 to made the best of the indulgence of her Pathronate Lover that she oblig'd him not only to remoâ—â— from â—â—ziers but to quit Laugâ—â—doâ— and take up his Quarters in Province They stopt at Arles where their chiefest Divertisement were â—alls â—â—â—ing and Tournaments Loâ—e having lull'd the Valour of the young Prince â—â—eep However Witigez King the Gâ—bâ— not being a little alaturn'd at the Conquest which he had made sort an Ambassador to him with an offer of all Provence provided he would joyn his Arme with the Goths against Belasâ—rint whom the Emperor Justinian had sent to drive â—em out of Spain To which Theodebert made answer that his Father being alive he could not determin any thing positively in reply to that Proposal but that he would dispatch a Messenger to him to know his pleasure Soon after the Courier instead of bringing back to Theodebert the answer which he expected brought him news that the King his Father was Dead and that there was just Reason to fear that his Uncles would make themselves Masters of his Dominions if he did not speedily return to oppose their Designs There upon Theodebert immediately set forward from Arles taking along with him not only Deuterie then big with Child of Prince Theobald who succeeded him 〈◊〉 the Lady's Daughter whom she had by the Governor of Râ—â—er Nevertheless before his departure he assur'd Witigeâ—'s Embassador 〈…〉 soon as he had secur'd the Possession of the Kingdom he would do what his Master should desire But no sooneâ— was 〈◊〉 Crown'd King of Austrasia but the people press'd him to Marty Wisgâ—â—d laying before him that since he had a design to wâ—ge War with Justinian it was him interest to procure the friendship of the Lombard King since it was to his power to set open or stop up the Possâ—â— through which the Emperors Army was 〈◊〉 march These Reasons seem'd to be of great weight and would have prevail'd upon Theâ—â—â—bert had he been less in Love But he was so intoxicated with his Passion for Deuterie that his Love clos'd up his Eyes against all other Considerations and to free himself from the importunities of those that prest him to solemnize the Nuptials so much desir'd with Wisgard he publickly espous'd Deuterie with great care concealing the Truth of her Husband 's being alive And now his Passion no longer meeting any obstacle to combat began to languish and he yielded to the pressing importunities of Witigâ—â— who earnestly sollicited him to pass the Alps and make War upon the Romans To that end he set forward from Meâ—â— tho' Deuterie made use of all her Artifices to stop him and marching into Italy with Ten Thousand Men he joyn'd Forces with Dor-ju who commanded the Army of the Goths and thus united they took Milan Many other were the events of this War which I pass over in silence as being nothing to our purpose But at length the Pestilence having ruin'd the greatest part of Theodeberts Army he repass'd the Alps and return'd to Mâ—â—â— During his absence Deuterie's Daughter Gosminda's Features were arriv'd to that perfection and the colour of her Complexion was become so fresh and lively that he became dâ—zl'd with the sight of her not could he conceal his admiration from Deuteries piercing Eyeâ— who perceiv'd that their glances met and that her Daughter vaunted in private the Conquest she had won She carefully observ'd the two Lovers and being convinc'd that Gossmiâ—'d corresponded with the passion of her Faithless Husband she resolv'd to be reveng'dâ— but in such a manner that she might not be accus'd of having contributed to the Deat of the Young Princess The Court was gone to spend some few Days at Verdune and the â—â—â—nd Walk was usually upon the Banks of the Meâ—â—â— which is very deep in that part Kings knew not then the use of Coaches nor Magnificent Calashes but only little Chariots slightly cover'd over wherein no more then one Person could sit and drawn by Oxen. The jealous Deuterie therefore procur'd one of these Chariots to be prepar'd for Gosswind and order'd it so that a pair of Wild Oxen such as had never felt the Burden of the Yoak and kept on purpose without Water for several Days were put to draw it so that the Young Princess had no sooner taken her seat in the Chariot but the furious Beasts carry'd her a full Gallop toward the River and eager to quench their thirst flung themselves into the bottomless and rapid Stream with the Chariot at their Heels where they were presently drown'd and the Princess swallow'd up in the merciless Gulph Theodebert was ignorant for some time that the Death of Gosswind had happen'd so unfortunately by the Connivance of her Mother but when he came to understand it he look't upon the foulness of the crime with so much detestation that he could no longer endure the Person who had committed it Thereupon his chief Ministers seeing him so well inclin'd took their advantage of it and lay'd before him so feelingly the wrong which he had done his Honour in preferring a Lascivious Woman before Wisgard whose Patience and other Virtues were admir'd by all the World that he submitted to their Councils In short he thrust Deuterie into a Nunnery and espous'd Wisgard who enjoy'd her new Dignity but a very little while for that she died within six Weeks after Theodebert was extreamly afflicted for the loss of her yet not being able to reconcile himself to Deuterie but leaving her in her retirement without so much as thinking any more of her he spent all his time in Hunting which was the occasion
of his Death for he was mortally wounded by a wild Bull that had broke from the Toils wherein he had been entangl'd as if he had design'd to revenge the Death of Gosswind whose Ruin he had been the cause of by his incestuous Love Clotaire's Incestuous Amour Anno 560 CLOTAIRE reunited the Kingdom of France which had been divided after the Death of Cloâ—is He had Marry'd Isgend of whose Family or place of Nativity the Historians speak not a word However she had a Sister that far exceeded her in Beauty for whom she besought the King to provide a Husband and to that purpose sent for her to the Court but Clotaire found her so amirable that he could not endure to part with her He took so great a delight in her Conversation that at length he perceiv'd in himself an affection for her much more tender then it became him to have for the Sister of his Wife For some time therefore he contended with his Incestuous passion and strove to vanquish it But finding at length that the more he withstood it the more is encreas'd he resolv'd to speak to her Heregoud trembled at the King 's first imparting his mind to her and for some time avoided coming into his presence but afterwards she grew less scrupulous and accustom'd her self to listen to his Allurements and in matters of Love when a Virgin begins once to hearken she is not far from droping into the share so that when she once forceas'd to be deterr'd with the horor of the Crime that accompany'd the King's Love she soon surrendred her Fortress and became the Mother of Chilperick who Reign'd after his Father in Normandy and Paris But when Clotaire had satiated his Lust that same disgust that usually follows Enjoyment open'd his eyes and made him sensible of the wrong he had done Ingoud by violating the conjugal Vow that he had made her in devoting himself to her Sister Thereupon he submitted to the Remonstrances and Reprimands of Pope John III. who constrain'd Heregoud to betake her self to a Nunnery Some time after the King having buri'd the Queen his Wife espous'd Chinsiu or Chimsen for the Historians are not agreed about her Name The Amours of Cherebert King of Paris AFTER the Death of Clotaire the Kingdom of France was divided and Paris fell to Chereberts share who was the eldest He had marry'd Ingeberge 〈◊〉 Princess extraordinary Virtue and who Lov'd him tenderly she saw to her grief how the King spent all his time in Hunting and never came near her till late in the Night of which she made most grievous complaints to Meroflede and Marcoâ—efe her Maids of Honour in which the most consided They were Sisters and tho' they were of no higher extraction then the Daughters of a Câ—mber of Wooll yet the Queen disdain'd not their attendance about her Person because they were endow'd with particular Talents Marcouefe had spent her Youthful Years in a Convent and had also enter'd into Vows but in regard she pretended a constraint upon her she had â—â—â—â—â—â—ded her self under the Queen's protection She 〈◊〉 learnt all sorts of Needle-work in the Cloister and she had a lively Wit polish'd with much Learning She was serious yet she had so many charms in her conversation that it was a difficult matter to be tyr'd with her Company On the other side Meroflede was of a lively frolick disposition danc'd with a goodly grace sung most charmingly and plaid upon several Instruments Now these two Young Lady 's propos'd to the Queen as the neatest course she could take to divertise the King with courtly â—easts and Banquets thereby to retain him longer in his Palace They also study'd a sort of Pastoral wherein Meroflede prov'd so successful that the â—ing gave her a thousand praises he took so much delight in her conversation and found the Air of it so quaint and delicate that he could by no means forsake her company Insomuch that he very seldom went a Hunting unless it were upon a set match Meroflede who was Ambitiois forgot the Duty which she ow'd her Mistress and ply'd all her Artifices with so much diligence to keep possession of the King's Heart that a length be obtain'd the utmost of his desires But being a wanton as she was she could not be content with one single tho' so noble a Conquest She would be continually ensnaring with her purloining glances all that were so daring as to seek their Thraldom in her looks Marconefe who was no less Beautiful nor no less witty then her Sister tho' more reserv'd Stomack'd a preferment that seem'd so injurious to her However for some time she stifled her Vexation in her Breast not breaking her mind to any person whatever But when she saw the Meroflede let her self loose to others besides the King she discover'd her Infidelity to him after so discreet and so ingenious a manner as if her intention had been only for her sisters sake to reform the Errors of her ill conduct On the otherside Cherebert lodg'd in Marconefe's Breast all his vexations and sorrows for Merofledes wanton and no less wandring humour and found so much Judgment in her arguments and her councils that he thought he might be far more happy with her then with her Sister and therefore he attempted to gain her affection wherein the speed of his success was answerable to the eagerness of his pursuit Marconefe spar'd for nothing for indeed her emulation was so great to deprive her sister of Cherebert's Heart that she prevented his desires to the end she might compass her ends Meroflede on the other side was soon sensible of this alteration and did all she could to regain his affections Cherebert gave ear to her reproaches bore 'em patiently and endeavour'd to justify himself and finding charms in both unwilling to loose either he made it his business to perswade one Sister that he was intirely devoted to her and the other that she was the only Mistress of his affection All this while he was so enthral'd to his passion for these two Ladies that he neglected the Government of his Dominions and altogether slighted Ingoberge And she unfortunate Queen acknowledg'd soon the fault she had committed in drawing off the King from the pleasure of Hunting to make him sensible of amorous delights and found her self more unhappy then she was when the King forsook her company only to wage War against the wild Beasts of the Forest So that after she had in vain attempted to reclaim him by her caresses and her complaisance she had recourse to St. Germain at that time Bishop of Paris who had gain'd a high reputation for his piety and begg'd of him to lay before the King the wrong he did her in making her such ill returns of her kindness But the remonstrances of that Prelate were so far from moving him that they rather serv'd to render the Person of Ingoberge more hateful to him For from that time forward he
of Joan Queen of Sicily call'd him to the succession of that â—ingdom Isabell of Lorraine his Wife Niece to Mary of Anjou Queen of France us'd all her Credit to mollifie the Count and perswade him to deliver her Husband To which purpose she address'd her self to Charles VII at Vienne in the Dauphinate beseeching him to make use of his Authority with the Duke to oblige him to gratifie her Request The King who was naturally prone to Acts of kindness comply'd with the Dutchess and was desirous to serve her but the cruel Wars which he had at that time with the English so busily employ'd his time and thoughts that the Dutchess would have receiv'd but little satisfaction from him had not another motive more pressing then that of Generosity spurr'd him forward The Dutchess had brought along with her Agnes Forelle who was one of her Maids of Honour and the King being charm'd with her Beauty engag'd himself to serve the Duke of Barr to the utmost of his Power and in short he did oblige the Count to set him at liberty Agnes acknowledg'd the King's Favour with all Respect that was due to his Person and shew'd him all the complacency that became her Modesty And now the Duchess having done her business prepar'd for her voyage into Sicily with the King her Husband and according to all outward appearnces Agnes was to have waited upon her But the King that he might oblige her to abide at Court made use of Merlin the famous Astrologer One day that Charles was alone with Agnes Merlin enter'd the Room at what time the King as had been concerted between 'em ask'd him what he thought of the Fortune of that fair Lady Sir reply'd Merlin either there is no Truth in the Stars or else she will be the Mistress of some Great King Agnes who presently perceiv'd the Artifice made answer with a smile If it be so Sir I beseech your Majesty to give me leave to cross over into England to the end my destiny may be accomplish'd there being no likelyhood that the Prediction concerns your Majesty who have hardly a Third part of your Kingdom left ye Charles understood Raillerie and joak'd with Agnes upon her Repartee but he made his advantage of it however And 't is said that his eager desire to render himself worthy the Affections of that Virgin exalted his Courage to perform those noble Atchievements afterwards that made his Reign so Illustrious Agnes tho' she had treated him like a King despoil'd of his Dominions yet could she not chuse but applaud her self for the conquest she had made of his Heart which she was no less covetous of preserving to her self and therefore was as willing as he to second the means of which he had bethought himself to stop her journey She feign'd her self sick and the King's Physitians that visited her confirm'd it by the King's Order and gave it for their Opinion that she could not travel without endangering her Life the Queen also promising the Duchess to take particular care of her and to send her after her so soon as she had recover'd her health Now tho' the Dutchess well knew that Agnes was not so sick as she made her self and that she suspected the best part of the Truth she took little notice of it believing that if the Queen who had most reason to concern her self were so free to give her consent 't was not for her to make any opposition After she was gone Agnes grew better and better every day and soon after quitted her bed of Sickness And then she appear'd at Court with new Charms and the King's Passion for her became so strong that he heap'd upon her new Favours every day He gave her the County of Ponthieure and finding her to be a Woman of a solid Judgment he consulted her in Affairs of the greatest importance and she was the Conduit-pipe through which he convey'd all his Favours All the Court look'd upon the King's kindness to her with Envy but more especially the Dauphin who being already of age sufficient to have a share in the Government stomach'd to see that his Father imparted none of his designs to him Thô Agnes let no occasion of doing him good offices escape her he look'd upon all Kindnesses all Favours which he receiv'd upon her recommendation as so many empoison'd Presents Therefore he made it his continual study by what means he could to destroy her in the King's Affection amd in regrrd there was no way to do it but by representing her disloyal to the King's Bed he made it his business to put a Gallant upon her who as he was sufficiently devoted to his Interests so he had merit enough to kindle the King's jealousie To this purpose he cast his eyes upon Chabane the Count of Dammartin who of all the Persons at Court was the most accomplish'd for Beauty and Parts and broke the proposal to him The Count trembl'd at the first overture that was made him and told the Prince that thô he ow'd him all the services that lay in his power he could not resolve to engage in an affair which would infallibly draw upon him his ruine whether the King thought his Passion sincere or whether he suspected that his love for Agnes was but counterfeited on purpose to undoe her The Dauphin encourag'd him and told him that so far from running any hazard he would rather preserve the King's Favour by sacrificing his pretended Passion in giving him an account of all the marks of tenderness which he had receiv'd from the Countess of Ponthieure and promising never to visit her more Chabane over-rul'd by the Dauphin's Reasons apply'd himself wholly to the business and made it his study to bring about his design He had a Valet de chamber a crafty nimble youngster nam'd St. Colombe whom he entrusted with the false shew of his Love for the Countess and engag'd him to court Mortaigne who of all her Waiting Women was the person in whom she put the greatest confidence St. Columbe was easily perswaded to undertake the business and in regard he was very handsome he found little resistance in Mortaigne's tender Heart who quickly gave him all the most particular marks of her Affection When St. Columbe had obtain'd his desires he insinuated into his Mistriss that it would be more easie for 'em to continue their amorous Commerce if she could engage the Countess in an intreague with Chabane Mortaigne approv'd her Lovers advice and from that very Evening she labour'd to bring it about Being alone with her Mistriss when she was going to Bed she began to talk of all the Lords of the Court and after she had given her opinion of every one she nam'd to her after a careless manner the Count of Dammartin Upon the hearing of that name only the Ladies countenance chang'd and she shew'd such an aversion for him that Mortaigne durst nor speak a word more However she gave an
the Count not having any longer before his Eyes the only beloved object that Dayly begg'd the t'others Pardon thought of nothing more but his Revenge To which purpose he enter'd his Wives Chamber with Six Men in disguise and two Chirurgeons who open'd the Veins in her Feet and Legs and so left her to Bleed to Death The King upon his return was all for making examples of the guilty but a new Amour soon blotted out the remembrance of the first Nor was the Count forgetful of his own safety in the excesses to which his jealousy had transported him for he prevented the prosecutions of justice by a voluntary exile and liv'd in Forreign Countries so long as the House of Foix was in a condition to prosecute him At length he address'd himself to the Constable Montmorency who was become a greater Favourite then before by the Death of Bonnivet and Monchenu who shar'd with him in the King 's good will The Count offer'd him a deed of gift of his Royalty provided he could get him out of his Troubles and Montmorency chose rather to purchase Chasteau-Brian by that means then by a Confiscation which would have engag'd him in perpetual quarrels which the House of Laval from whence the Count was decended Some Critiques have pretended that M. de Varillas from whom I drew these Memoirs was ill inform'd and that the Countess of Chasteau-Brian was reconcil'd to her Husband and that she did not Die till ten Years after the King's return But these objections are so well answer'd that I am convinc'd of the Countess's tragical end so that I made no scruple to follow that famous Historian word for word No sooner was Francis I. deliver'd out of the hands of the Spaniards bat he re-enter'd into a new imprisonment which thô more easie and pleasant yet was do less dangerous The Countess of Angoulême going to meet him as far as Mont de Marsan carry'd along with her the young Ann de Pisseleu who was call'd Mademoiselle de Hellé who was entertain'd as a Maid of Honour into the Houshold of that Princess The King found her so amiable that he was not able to defend his liberty against her Charms He marry'd her in a short time to the Duke d' Estampes who conniv'd at her conduct neither willing to approve it for fear of injuring his Reputation nor to condemn her lest he should bring himself into trouble The Dutchess finding her self at liberty to make the best of her good fortune to please the King ne'er minded any longer the avoiding any occasion that might advance her prosperity She had got so much experience at Court as to know that the most dangerous Rock that the King's Mistresses could hazard their Fortune against was to quarrel with the Favourites or Ministers who having often the Prince's Ear may take the advantage of certain moments of disgust and petty fallings out between Lovers to exasperate 'em and perswade 'em to an absolute Rupture This consideration made her resolve to unite Interests with the Constable Montmorency the Admiral Chabot and the Chancellor du Prat who by the Authority of their Imployments and by the King's Indulgence had got possession of the prime Ministry Those three Officers very obligingly corresponded with the first movements which the Duchess made toward the Quadruple League well knowing that notwithstanding the Greatness of their Credit yet it might be shaken if the King's Mistress understood how to make the best of those Favourable Minutes when a Lover can deny nothing to the person upon whom he doats This correspondence between these four Persons prov'd successful during the remainder of time that the Chancellor liv'd because that cunning Minister by his experience and diligence provided so well for all the exigencies of the State that the Favourites had no other care upon 'em but to divertise their Master But after his death the Council wanting a Director the Constable and the Admiral who took no heed to instruct themselves appear'd such Novices in the Government that the King was constrain'd to call up the President Poyet He was one of the most able Magistrates in the Kingdom and his Capacity was equally the same to manage as well great as small Affairs only his Genius led him rather to put things into confusion then bring 'em to a final end So soon as he had taken his place in the Council he propos'd the removal of the two Favourites that only serv'd to fill up the number because the haughtiness of the first was become insupportable to him and he fear'd the resentment of the second by reason of a Suit of great consequence wherein he had caus'd him to be overthrown Fortune seem'd to favour his Designs for the King disgusted at the ill success of his Enterprizes had it put into his Head that he might justify his ill Conduct to posterity if he laid the blame of it upon his Favourites and that their downfal would render 'em guilty of all the false steps which he had trode in the publick management of Affairs The Admiral was the first that was to feel the effects of his ill humour thô he were in friendship vvith the Dutchess of Estampes They who did not dive into the King's more secret Thoughts ascrib'd the Fall of Chabot to his imprudence which had hinder'd his Majesty from utterly despoiling the Duke of Savoy of his Territories The King intrusted Poyet whom he had invested in the Office of Chancellor with his Indignation against the Admiral and consulted with him the best way to proceed against him in due form of Law The Chancellor was overjoy'd to find the King so well dispos'd to favour his designs and made him those Proposals that gave him great satisfaction Nevertheless because he stood in awe of the Dutchess d' Estampes's Anger whose Power he well knew he sought the Protection of Diana of Poictiers Wife to the Seneschal of Normandy and the Dauphin's Mistress That Lady was the Daughter of John of Poictiers Lord of St. Valliere who had preferr'd her very young to the Countess of Angouléme after which she was advanc'd to the service of Queen Claudia as one of her Maids of Honour Neither was St. Valliere deceiv'd in his design of getting some Protection at Court through the power of his Daughter's Charms for it may be said that she sav'd his Life by the secret Engines that she set at work St. Vallier had had a hand in the revolt of the Constable of Bourbon and the misfortune to be apprehended For which he had been Arraign'd and was condemn'd to lose his Head Diana was so astonish'd when she heard the news that she thought her self oblig'd to do her utmost to save her Father from such a threatning danger Thereupon she went and threw her self at the King's Feet all in Tears and begg'd pardon for him to whom she was beholding for her Life And she appear'd to the King in that deplorable condition so amiable and so
sparkling Glances which she darted from her eyes but was very officious in paying his assiduities to her never valuing the trouble it might be to Madam de Beaufort The Counstable also took delight in her disturbances and jeasted about 'em with Marshal de Biron who solely possess'd the Kings Inclinations But Fortune soon after delivered the Marchioness from so dangerouss a Rivaless for she dy'd in Childbed leaving the Constable two Children Henry afterwards Duke of Montmorancy and Charlote Margarite who was marri'd to Henry of Bourbon Prince of Condè which was the occasion of a very great Intreague towards the end of this Raign Madam de Beaufort had also by the King Katherine Henrietta legitimated of France whom in 1619 marry'd Charles of Lorrain Duke of Elbeuf and Alexander de Vendosme commonly call'd the Grand Prior who ended his days in the Dungeon of the Castle of Vincennes where he had been confin'd by the order of Lewis XIII But the Marchioness was not brought to bed of this Prince till after the Queen was unmarry'd and then it was that finding her self at liberty she made use of all her wit to oblige the King to set the Crown upon her Head The King also over whom she had an absolute ascendant left nothing omitted on his part to have gratifi'd her desires and banish'd Nicholas de Neuville Lord of Villeroy and Secretary of State for presuming with too much liberty to condemn his design Now in regard the King was certain to obtain whenever he pleas'd the consent of Queen Margaret there remain'd no more to do but only to get the Court of Rome to allow the Divorce To which purpose he sent with the Character of his extraordinary Embassador Nicholas Brulard Lord of Sileri then President of the Parliament and afterwards Chancellor of France He was one of the most able Ministers the King had and in regard he was no less Zealous for his Masters Interests then for those of the Marchioness to whom he was beholding for a good part of his Fortune 't was to be presum'd that he would leave nothing uneffected to render his Embassie successful But before we relate the success of his Negotiation it will not be amiss to shew upon what grounds the King demanded the Dissolution of his marriage which cannot be better understood then by the Manifesto that he publish'd upon that occasion The Manifesto of Hen. IV. upon his Divorce from Queen Margaret I Thought my self exempt from giving an accompt to the Publick of the motives that induc'd me after twenty years being wedded together to separate my self from the Sister of the Kings my Predecessors under pretence of being too near in Blood And indeed being above the Laws I did not think my self oblig'd to give an account of my actions to any but God only But in regard that Strangers and several of the French Nation take an occasion from thence to blame my Conduct some calling me Voluptuous others Atheistical and both tother condemning me for ingrateful I thought my self concern'd in honour to satisfie those who have suffer'd themselves to be abus'd and to confound the malice of my secret Enemies by exposing to the Eyes of the World the true causes of the Divorce which I desire For considering the high Station to which God has rais'd me 't is not sufficient that my life should be without reproach it behoves me also to render it free from suspition and to draw the Curtain with which I endeavour to hide the disorder of my Family 'Ts said that Heaven sends admonitions to those who are born to command over others of the misfortunes that will be fall ' em If the bloody Rain that fell at Rome before the Battle of Cannae were a presage of the loss which the Republick was shortly to sustain I may say that the Blood that was shed upon the day of my Nuptials seem'd to foretel the cruel Afflictions that should befall me by reason of this fatal Union But I never minded that unlucky Omen nor the words of Charles the Ninth Brother to this unchast Woman who being better acquainted with her then my self said by way of Raillery that he did not give his Megg for a Wife to the King of Navarr only but to all the Hereticks in his Kingdom I interpreted his meaning another way and imagin'd that he lookt upon it as a knot that would for the future inevitably bind to his Service all the Huguenots nevertheless time has but too plainly discoverd to me the mistery of that Oracle I was so little acquainted with that Princess that I knew not that she had been sensible of love ever since Eleven years of Age that Entragues and Charrins both boasted that they had obtain'd her chiefest favours at that Age. I know not whither a Generous Emulation to dispute the Conquest or the Transports of his Pleasure caus'd Entragues to go beyond his strength but certain it is that his efforts brought him within two fingers breadth of the Grave and made him relinquish his bargain to take a Wife less beautiful but more prudent and reserv'd The Prince of Martignes supplyâ—d the place which Entragues left vacant and having discarded Charrins for whom she had no great kindness he remain'd the sole master of her heart That Prince being naturally vain glorious was so far from making a mistery of his good fortune that there Intreague after it had been the discourse of the whole Court was divulg'd in the Army and passing from mouth to mouth afforded ample matter of Raillery to all the Foot Souldiers of which Martignes was Collonel That indiscreet Lover upon all occasions of greatest danger wore an Embroider'd Scarf and carried with him a little Dog that she had given him which he kept to his dying day as a Pledge of her Friendship The loss of this Favorite drew tears from her which the King endeavour'd to wipe away by marrying her to the King of Portugal But the Duke of Guise who pretended by espousing her to give some colour to his Ambitious Designs cross'd that Match by the cunning of the Cardinal of Lorrain her Uncle who was sent to the King of Spain to condole the Death of Elizabeth of France his Wife In the mean time the Duke insinuated himself into the favours of that Princess by means of the kind Offices which he did Madam de Carnavalet 'T is said that the Dukes of Alenson and Anjou broke off that Intreague and that she had those complacencies for 'em that propinquity of Blood did no way authorize but I cannot believe that her Debauchery ran up to that excess However it were the mark had been hit several times before our marriage and all men will be easily convinc'd that I had no need of any great strength to carry the Ring at the first Course So soon as we were marry'd they who had right to pretend to her familiarity discarded themselves and oblig'd her by their withdrawing themselves to stoop to
full hopes to be Queen see quite alter'd her Conduct and took upon her such an Aire of Modesty that the King several times repented that ever he had accus'd her â—of Disloyalty But 't was not enough for him to be satissfi'd of it the world must be also no less fully convinc'd â—to which purpose the Dutchess resolv'd to receive the Sacrament at Paris The King had stay'd all the Lent at Fontain Bleau from whence he departed upon Palm-Sundy for Melun at what time the Dutchess order'd a Barge to be made ready to carry her upon the Tuseday in the Passion Week to Paris where she arriv'd the same day and alighted at her Sister 's the Marshal of Balagni's Wife The next day she went to little St. Anthonies to hear the Service call'd the Tenebres with Mâ—dam and Mademoiselle de Guise the Dutchess of Rétz and her Daughters The other Ladies went in their Coaches but she was carry'd in a Sedan a Captain of the Guards of the Body walking always by the side of the Sedan whose business it was to attend her to a Chappel that was preserv'd on purpose for her to the end she might neither be crowded nor expos'd to the View of the People During the Office she shewâ—d Mademoisselle de Guise certain Letters from Rome which gave her to understand that what she desir'd would be suddenly accomplish'd She also shew'd her two Letters which she receiv'd the same day from the King so Passionate and so full of Impatience too see her his Queen that she had all the reason in the world to be satisfi'd The King sent her word that he was just sending away to Rome Dufrene Secretary of State whom she knew to be entirely devoted to her Interests as having marry'd one of her Kinswomen to press his Holiness to give him his Liberty in a Matter which he was wholly resolv'd upon When Service was done she told Mademoisâ—lle de Guise that she intended to alight at the Deanry of St. Germains where she had accstom'd to lodge and that she intended to go to bed not feeling herself ver well withall desiring her to come and keep her Company And at the same time she went out of the Church and got into her Litter while Mademoiselle de Guise went back to her Coach So soon as Mademoiselle came to the Dutchess of Beauforts she found her undressing herself and complaining of a great Pain in her Head But the Dutchess was no sooner a bed but she was taken with a terrible Convulsion from which she recover'd by the help of Strong Remedies and then it was that she began a Letter to the King ' tho she could not finish it being hinder'd by another Convulsion When she came to her self again a Letter was presented her from the King but she could not read it being seiz'd by another Convulsion that held her so lohg as she liv'd Upon Tuesday she was brought to Bed of a Still-born-Child the Violence of her Distemper having Kill'd it and the next day being Friday she expir'd by Six a Clock in the Morning Some there were who ascrib'd the cause of her Death to another cause and gave it outh that she had made a Contract with the Devil to Marry the King and that that same Enemy of Mankind had taken away her Life They farther add as an Embellishment to set out the Fable that the Dutchess was acquainted long before with the Tragical end that atended Her For that being one day in the Garden of the Tuillerys she met with a famous Magician who was telling several Ladies of the Court their Fortunes at what time the Dutchess having a desire to know what should be ber Destiny was very Importunate with the Magician who excus'd himself for above an hour telling her that considering the flourishing Fortune she enjoy'd she could wish for nothing greater But at length the Dutchess insisting to know at least what end she she should come to the Magician bid her at her leisure pull out her Porket-Lookinglass and there she should see the Object of her Curiosity Upon which the Dutchess when she pul'd out her Mirror saw the Devil taking her by the Throate which terrifi'd her to that degree that she sounded away in the arms of one of her Women that attended her The very same thing or very like it is told of the Constable Montmorancy's Lady who dy'd but a little before after a very strange manner But People of Sence and Judgment gave no Credit to these Stories The same day being Wednesday La Varenne came to tell the Marshal d Ornano who was hearing the Passion Sermon at St. Germains de Lauxerrois that the Dutchess was dead and that it would be convenient to hinder or prevent the King 's coming to Paris whether he was just designing his Journey and therefore desir'd him to go and meet him in order to make him alter his Roade The Marshal requested the Marquess of Bassompierre then at the Sermon to go along with him which he did and so they met the King beyond Saussi near Ville Juif who was coming Post for Paris So soon as the King saw the Marshal his heart misgave him that he knew already the Tidings which he came to tell him and by his Lamentations and bitter Complaints soon made it appear that Hero's have their failings as well as other Men. They carry'd him to the Abby dela Saussaye and lay'd him upon a Bed till they could meet with the Convenience of a Coach to carry him back to Fontain Bleau Where being arriv'd before night be found in his Appartment the greaest part of the Lords of the Court who were all got thither upon the noise of this Mournful Accident So soon as the King was enter'd his Chamber he desir'd all the Company to return to Paris and pray to God to send him Consolation retaining only to keep him Company Bellegard the Count de Laudes Termes Castelnau La Chalosse Monglas and Fronteval Nevertheless as Bassompierre was retiring with the rest he bid him stay to give him an account of the Circumstances of his Mistresse's death because he was the last that was with her For Five or Six dayes the King was not to be seen but by those whom he had excepted unless it were by some Embassador's whose condoling Complements he was oblig'd to receive but they return'd immediately after they had had their Audiences When the King's Grief was a little allay'd his Favorites who understood that the right way to dissipate his Melancholy was to set before his Eyes some other Dazling Lady that might make him amends for the loss of his Dutchess engag'd him in a Hunting Match near Malherbe a Castle belonging to the Marquiss d' Entragues That Lord had two Daughters surpassingly Beautiful and Witty above the Common Rate especially the Eldest who was call'd Henrietta de Balzack Madam d' Entragues being acquainted with their Design to entangle the King with one of her Daughters sent to him
the Fidelity of her good Friend Maâ—â—moisâ—lle d' Enclos who thought it a stain to her Honour to have above one Lover at a time and tho she were not so lovely as Marâ—â—n de Lorme yet she had a much wit plai'd so delicately upon the Lute and was so sincere that many prefer'd her before her friend These happy talents induc d the Marquiss of Villarceaux who had always a good Relish and a true Judgment to league himself strictly with her Upon which the Marchioness grew so jealous that she never heard her name mention d but she fell into a passion This occasion'd a pleasant Story She had by the Marquiss a pretty young Lad to her Son who began to learn Latin and one day it came into her head to ask his Master whither the Boy were likely to be a Schollar The Master to satisfie her curiosity bid him decline Ninus in his Mothers hearing The Boy began Ninus Nini Nino and at length he came to Ninum But then the Mother knitting her brows told the Master he was an Impudent Fellow to teach her Son the name of such a Punk 'T was in vain for the poor man to protest that he never thought of Ninon and that he never knew her the Mother in her fury would hear of none of his excuses but drove him out of the Rome with great indignation and disdain Whether this be true or no I know not but I had the story from the Abbot of Bois-Robert Toward the end of Lewis the Thirteenth's Raign there appear d a certain Prince by the name of Zagachirst who said he was one of the Kings of Ethiopia he had an excellent Talent at Courtship and made a world of Conquests in Paris Madam Saulnier was so violently in love with him that she gave him all she could wrap and rend out of her House-keeping Which was a very great accommodation to that Prince whose Subjects were not very exact in supplying him with Bills of Exchange Monsieur Saulnier who was a Counseller in Parliament could not brook the duration of this Intreague which dishonour'd him and was a very great disturbance to his Affairs he put in an Information against him for debaushing his Wife and obtain'd a Capias utlegatum against Zagachrist who was carrid Prisoner to the Chastelet The Lieutenant Criminal Tardieu drew up the Inditment against him and when he askt him any question observ'd all the Decorum that was due to the Majesty of his Character the Party accus'd being always sitting and cover'd while the Judge stood up and with his hat off However the Abyssiman Monarch dy'd in Prison nor did his Subjects ever send any splendid Embassy to demand his Carkass since they could not have his Person Intreagues of the Court of France under the Raign of Lewis the XIV till the Death of Cardinal Mazarin year 1643 IN regard the present King was but five years of Age when he came to the Crown the Regency was granted to Ann of Austria his Mother and the Lieutenancy General of the Kingdom to Gaston of Orleance his Uncle The Queen made choice of Cardinal Mazarin for her Prime Minister as having manag'd several successful Negotiations for her in Italy and fit for the Employment But the Duke of Beaufert in whom the Queen put a great Confidence while she was the Object of Richlieu's Persecutions lookt upon her choice with an envious eye because he was in hopes of governing the Queen during the Regency or perhaps for other reasons which his enemies attributed to him The Queen who endeavour'd to prevent division did all she could to soder disunited minds and to oblige the Grandees of the Kingdom to live in friendly manner with the Cardinal For there were then no less then three Factions at Courâ— Monsieurs who was govern'd by the Abbot 〈…〉 Riviere that of the Princes of the House of Bourbon which comprehended Lewis Prince of Conde the Prince of Conti and the Duke of Longueville who but a little before had married their Sister Mademoiselle de Bourbon The third was compos'd of the House of Vendosme and the Lorrain Princes who were alii d to the Duke of Vendosme the Duke d' Elbeauf being his Brother-in-Law The Ladies govern'd these Caballs the Prince of Conde being engag'd with Madam de Coligni afterwards Dutchess of Chastillon Sister to the Marquiss of Bouteville which had hinder'd the Prince from chastizing the presumption of Coligni her Husband for making his addresses to Madam de Longueville Coligni who was proper and goodly had expell'd the Duke of Beaufort from her Heart and she had rudely broken off with him tho she had written very tender Letters to him but a little before The Duke therefore to make himself amends for the infidelity of Madam de Longueville intreagu'd himself with the Dutchess of Mombason Daughter of the Countess of Vertus who might well be thought the greatest Beauty of France and sacrific'd to her the Letters of the Dutchess of Longueville This was the posture of the Court of France when all the Exiles were recall'd The Duke of Epernon return'd out of England the Counts of Montresor Fonterailles and Aubijous being assur'd of the Duke of Orleance's protection began to shew themselves publickly Mesdames de Senelay and Hautefort were restored to their places and the Duke of Guise who had quitted Brussells came to pay his vows to Madam de Monbason The Dutchess of Cheuvreuse who was one of the Gang at the same time appear'd at the Louvre but was coldly receiv'd by the Queen and commanded to withdraw to Dampierre not that she had any real design to banish her but she would have her be beholding to the Cardinal for her being restor'd into Favour that she might be oblig d to live amicably with him In short he went to see her the next day and gave her five and twenty thousand Crowns and made her great offers of his Service Immediately the Dutchess put him upon the proof of his sincerity by demanding two very important things of him The one that he should satisfie the Duke of Vendome for his pretentions to the Government of Bretagne in reference to which he had as yet been only fed with words and the next was that the Duke of Epernon should be restor d to his Emploment of Collonel of Foot and his Government of Guinne The Cardinal carri'd himself in both very obligingly and offer'd the Duke of Vendome the Admiralty in lieu of his Government The Duke of Epernon was restor'd to all his Honours and nothing was omitted to get the Government of Guienne out of the Count de Harcourt's hands Madam de Cheuvreuse after she had obtain'd these two Favours demanded a third which the Cardinal at first was very unwilling to grant but at length he gave his consent This was that he would confer the Government of Havre de Grace upon the Prince of Marsillac whom she had a desire to engage effectually in her Interests After two
being able to govern and manage Madam de Chatillon's Behaviour toward the Prince she would infuse into him those sentiments that He should inspire into Her and by that means that he should over-rule the Prince by that power which he had over Madam de Chatillen But tho' the Dutchess appeard at Court with more then ordinary splendour the Negotiation came to nothing she being the only Person that prov'd a gainer by it while the Prince bestow'd upon her the Lordship of Morlon in recompence of the pains she had taken The Prince of Conde's Army being repuls'd by the King 's was constrain'd to retreat into St. Anthonies Subburbs where the Marshal Turenne fell upon it and where a great number of Valliant Men fell on both sides and among the rest the Duke of Chatillon and indeed all the Princess Forces had been defeated had not the Parisians opend St. Anthonies-Gate and suffer'd 'em to march through the City Nevertheless the cares of the War did not hinder the Generals from making Love For the Duke of Nemours understanding that the Duke of Beaufort had an Intreague with a Woman of Quality whose name we know not endeavour'd to deprive him of that Conquest and his endeavours prov'd successful the Lady appointing to meet him at a certain place assign'd in the night time But as he was going thither he found a Door open where some body becken'd to him to come in Up went he into the first apartment and there found the Wife of an Advocate handsome enough and nothing at all squemish tho' she perceiv'd the mistake of her Chamber-maid who had introduc'd the Duke of Nemours instead of another Advocate who was her Mistresses Gallant However whether it were that the Woman 's easie Condescention disgusted the Duke or that his imagination was full of the Person that he sought for he prov'd such another Person as Petronius represents Polyenus to be in Company of Circe He did all that he could to reinliven his languishing Vigour and spent so much time in reinforcing his wasted Ammunition that he mist his opportunity of the other meeting However being desirous to make his excuse to the disappointed Lady he went to her and engag'd her to meet him the next day in the Labyrinth belonging to the Physick Garden in the Suburbs of St. Victor Now it happen'd that the Duke of Beaufort going t ither the same day and the same hour heard through a thick Hedge the voice of these two Lovers With that he fell a listning and understood enough to convince him that the Duke of Nemours with whom he was but too much embroyl'd already had made his Mistress unfaithful to him Thereupon the Duke of Beaufort challeng'd the Duke of Nemours who accepted the Challenge and tho Brothers-in-Law they met in the Horse-Market The Duke of Nemours discharg d his Pistol first with more fury then good aim and having mist his Blow the Duke of Beaufort discharg'd his so well to the purpose in his adversaries Head that he lay d him weltring at his feet The death of this Duke having deliver'd the Prince from a Rival his affection for Madam de Chatillon began to grow cold and being over-rul'd by the Spaniards he pass'd into Flanders On the other side the Dutchess strove to comfort her self up for the loss that her disloyalty had brought upon her with the Abbot Toquet who fell passionatly in love with her at the Conferences they had together about the Peace this Abbot being entrusted by Cardinal Mazarin with the management of his interests 1653. The Duke of Guise being releas'd from the Castle of Segovia in pursuance of the Treaty which the Prince of Conde had made with the Spaniards prov'd not so generous as to take his Benefactors side but return'd to Paris more in love with Mademoiselle de Pons then he was before his imprisonment but he met not in her with the same sentiments for himself Her inclinations were altogether for Malicorne and in regard she made it her business to find out all the ways imaginable to be in his company without giving the Duke of Guise any cause of suspicion she engag'd the Prince to take his Rival into his service faigning that she was highly obligd to the Gentlemans Father and that he had assisted her with an extraordinary affection during the Dukes absence and that she might have the more easie opportunities to enjoy Malicorne she desir'd the credulous Prince never to visit her but in the Evening alleadging that their intreague had made a great noise and therefore 't was requisite they should manage their familiarity with so much the more discretion by which means she had her full liberty to enjoy her Favourite in the Afternoons Nor did these scruples serve to any other end then to encrease the Duke of Guise's love who being resolv'd to accomplish his Marriage with Madam de Pons without minding his former engagements propos'd to her the spending some months in Guyenne there to purchase a little House where she might publish the Banes of Matrimony with more privacy while he on the other side retir'd into his County of Eu with the same design Mademoiselle de Pons having accepted this proposal he provided for her a magnificent Equipage and accompani'd her as far as Estampes Malicorne having notice which Roade she took road privately before and staid for her upon the Bank of the River Loire where she took him into her Coach and drove away for Blois But crossing through that City upon the Bridge they perceiv'd the Duke of Orleance who retir'd thither after the majority of the King Mademoiselle de Pons unwilling to be known kept on her Mask tho she were oblig'd to have pull'd it off out of respect to a Prince of the Blood The Duke of Orleance no less surpriz'd at her rudeness then the magnificence of her Equipage sent a Gentleman after her as far as Amboise with orders to enquire the names of the persons that were in the Coach which as it was no difficult thing to learn so the Duke was fully inform'd the same Evening Now the Duke had a secret Grudge against the Duke of Guise and was glad of the opportunity to let the whole Court understand that the Duke was the Cully to carry on his Mistresses Intreague To that purpose he wrote to all his Friends what he had seen and the news was soon spread abroad Thereupon the Duke of Guise's kindred consulted together which way to make him sensible of his Mistresses infidelity so that he might be fully convinc'd but no body would undertake this affair because they fearâ—d the transports of the Dukes fury and knew it was a difficult thing to infuse into him the belief of any thing to the prejudice of a person who as he was fully perswaded was never guilty of any miscariage of that nature However the Duke of Cheuvreuse was pitch'd upon as being the most proper person of any other to act that part by reason
his advanc'd years would incline the Duke of Guise to listen to him with so much the more patience and he was willing to undertake the business The Duke of Guise had much ado at first to believe what Aged Cheuvreuse told him however it fixt some kind of jealousie in his mind Now Mademoiselle de Pons who was oblig'd to part with Malicorne upon her entrance into Guyenne not being able to live absent from him wrote to the Duke of Guise and desir'd he would be pleas'd that she might return to Paris The Duke well understanding the cause of her impatience desir'd her on the other side to stay for some time longer with her Parents but she without any respect to his request set forward and away she came When she was arriv'e the Duke of Guise brib'd one of her Chambermaids and by her means got into his hands the little Box wherein she lockt up all her Lovers Billet douxes and there he found a great number of Letters which plainly made out a form'd Intreague besides some other Letters from the Marshal de Aumont and Marshal d' Albert that spoke the Language of fortunate Lovers which drove him to his wits end Upon this he broke off with Mademoiselle de Pons and us d her very unworthily for he su'd her at Common-Law for a pair of Pendants valu'd at 50000 Crowns and a rich suit of Tapestry which he had given her but with very ill success So that the loss of his Suite redoubld his indignation and he resolv'd to assault her in her own house of which she having notice sent for the Marshal d'Aumont and Marshal d' Albert to protect her the one being Captain of the Guards the other Lieutenant of the King 's Light Horse Presently they hastn'd to her aid with a Body of Cavalry which was the reason that the Duke of Guise made no farther attempt Fain would Marshal d' Albert have made his Market of this piece of service and exacted compliances from Mademoiselle de Pons which she could not find in her heart to grant because she doated altogether upon Malicorne Thereupon that jealous Lover resolv'd to be reveng'd upon her for her ingratitude and entring to that purpose into a League with the Duke of Guise they resolv'd to get an Order from the King to take her away by force and send her into an Abby in the Pyreneans of which a Kinswoman of the Marshals was Abbess Madam de Pons having notice of this Conspiracy stole out of Paris in the habit of a Country market-woman with only two of her waiting women and went to Brussels under pretence of pursuing her Steward who having robb'd her was fled the same way At her departure she left the fatal Box wherein were all her Love Letters with Mademoiselle de Tieure who had been a Pensioner with her at Chassemidi with orders to deliver it to no person living but her self which was afterwards the cause of her breaking off with Malicorne as we shall relate in due place As for the Duke of Guise he being inform'd of her departure resolv'd to make a second voyage to Naples and to that purpose embark'd himself aboard the King 's Fleet. 1654. Nor was the Duke the only Person that prov'd unfortunate in his Amours for the Abbot Touquet who was no less violently in love with the Dutchess of Chatillon left nothing omitted to gain her affection but all the complacency she had for him was only in order to coaxe him out of considerable presents One day that he went to visit her he found her upon the Bed in a sullen moody humour nor could all that he could say to her put her out of it Thereupon he ask'd her chief woman what he should do to divert her and propounded several ways that were not accepted But at length the cunning Ouistrel who was acquainted with all her Mistresses knacks put it into the Abbots head to carry her to St. Germons Fair and the Maid and the Mistress acted their parts so well together that they got out of the incontinent Abbot a Service of Gilt Plate valu'd at above Fifty Thousand Crowns However she had other Admirers that came off at a cheaper rate among the rest Bouchu Intendant in Burgundy and Cambiac Canon in the Cathedral of Albi who was above fifty years of Age. As for Mademoiselle de Pons she made as great a Hurlyburly at the Court of Brusselles as she had done in France The Marquiss of Bouteville a Favourite of the Prince of Conde's and the Marquiss of Fuenclara a Captain under Don John of Austria both offer'd her their Services and to the first she lent a favourable ear The Prince himself also paid her some sedulities but finding more resistance then he expected he quitted her Lodgings full of Choller and Indignation Some days after he understood that Bouteville had not been so unkindly repuls'd which put him into such a Chafe that he swore to him he would never pardon him if he did not quit her forever offering on his part never to have any more to do with her Moreover to let him see that he would be exact to his word he obtain'd an order from Don John by which Madam de Pons was commanded to leave Brussells in twenty four hours and within eight days to depart the King of Spains Territories Howerver Bouteville paid her several private visits after she had receiv'd this Order and they agreed together that she should make a shew of departing and that after she had travell'd about four Leagues from Brussells she should return in the night time to a Chamber which he would hire for her in a by corner of the Town Nor was she worse then her word to Bouteville and for fifteen days together they enjoyâ—d each other in great tranquility But by misfortune Fuenclara having espi'd one of Madam de Depons's Chamber-maids looking out at the Window he learnt by her that her Mistress lay in that Lodging Incognito for it was not the first time that that same damsel had tasted of his liberality Mademoiselle de Pons finding her self discover'd would stay no longer at Brussells for fear of being affronted but withdrew to the Hague where she stay'd all the while that the Spaniards kept the field But after they had taken up their Winter Quarters Bouteville sent for his Mistress to Antwerp whither she was coming but he sent her word by one of the Trumpeters of his Rement to miss Antwerp and return to Brussells in regard the Prince of Conde was gone to give instructions about some thing to be done in the former City Madam de Pons no sooner receiv'd these tydings but she set forward and by an unlucky mischance met the Prince of Conde in a narrow hollow way in his return form visiting the Frontier Garrisons who thought he knew her but Lainett and the President Viole perswaded him to the contrary After this happy escape Madam de Pons arriv'd at Brussells and alighted at