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
her Eyes unless she ruin'd the Queen she never boggled at the taking a resolution to prevent her and she understood so well how to make the best of the shallow feeblenesses of which the King had given her such frequent marks that she perswaded him to make away Galsuind Thereupon Chilperic after he had fully resolv'd upon it made a shew of more then usual complyance with the Queen's humour and never visited Fredegond but withal the precautions imaginable that he might take from Galsuind all occasion of mistrust and when he found her quite cur'd of all her jealous suspitions one night that he was in Bed with her he strangled her with her own Hair Sigebert being inform'd of the Death of his Sister in Law thought it his duty to revenge it and layd the design without ever considering that the Murderer was his Brother He engag'd also Gontran to joyn with him On the other side Chilperic rais'd an Army to defend himself but before he took the Field he Marry'd Fredegund However he did not prove successful in that War for that his Army being defeated and his eldest Son Theodebert having lost his Life in the Battel he himself made a hard shift to escape to Tournay where Sigebert immediately besieg'd him But Fredegund who made a slight matter of commiting the greatest crimes suborn'd a crew of Ruffians who assasinated Sigebert in his Tent and by that means deliver'd the King her Husband For which piece of service Chilperic thought himself so highly beholding to her that he could not imagin any better way to gratify her then by settling the Crown upon Fredegond's Children to the prejudice of those whom he had by Audouaire But Meroveus to whom the Kingdom belong'd as being his eldest Son understanding what was a brewing so contrary to hiâ— interest took Arms against his Father and retir'd to Rouâ—u whither Brunebaut Sigebert's Widow had been banisht by her Brothers in Law There he beheld that Princess and thought her so amiable tho' he were then above fourty Years of Age that he resolv'd to Marry her To that purpose he made the Proposal to her and with little trouble obtain'd her consent because she look't upon that Marriage as the means to obtain her liberty So soon as Chilperic receiv'd the news of this Marriage he march'd directly to Roueu with all the Forces that he could muster together nor did the City make any great resistance so that by the taking of it Chilperic became master of the new Marri'd couple Presently he declar'd the Marriage void as being solemniz'd without his consent and after he had shut up Brunebaut in the old Palace of Roueâ— he march'd to Soissons taking his Son along with him where he was no sooner arriv'd but he was besieg'd by the Champenois who took part with Childebert the Son of Sigebert Fredegond that she might deliver her self from the captivity of a Siege got out of the Town with Clovis the Youngest of Audouair's Children nor did she return till after the War was ended by the defeat of the Champenois At hee return the invasion of those People was the subiect of all the Town discourse and Fredegond cunningly infus'd it into Chilperic's read that they had never enter'd into his Dominions but at the sollicitation of Merovâ—â—â— who by their assistance thought to have seiz'd upon the Throne And tho' there were a Thousand reasons to have justify'd the conduct of that Prince Chilperic believ'd him guilty because Fredegond accus'd him and therefore after he had caus'd his Head to be shav'd shut him up in a Cloister But the cruel Queen was not satisfy'd with that punishment which was not deem'd severe enough for an imaginary crime and rightly judging that she could not secure the Crown to her Children so long as Audouair's Offspring remain'd alive she thought it behov'd her to send them out of the World Therefore to bring this to pass 't was requisite to engage Meroveus in some new exploit by which he might incurr his Fathers farther indignation For which purpose she sent Gontran Bosor who was wholly devoted to her interests to discourse him in the Monastery Presently the Young Prince know him because he had seen him at the head of Sigebert's Armies but he was ignorant of the secret engagements between him and his Mother in Law so that he easily fell into the snare which the traytor had laid for him who propos'd to him his leaving the Convent to head a party that he had ready to embody under his Banners and to that purpose gave him an opportunity to make his escape But no sooner was he arriv'd at the place appointed but he was assassinated by the very person into whose arms he had thrown himself for protection Which Chilperic look't upon as a great piece of service as being misinform'd and not understanding the depth of the affair There remain'd now no more then Clovis Anno 577. of all the Children of Audonaire and Fredegond was not without hopes of being rid of him too But Heaven that would not permit her to enjoy the fruit of so many crimes in less then six Months swept away all the three Children she had by Chilperic with the Pestilence So that the King not having any more Children then Clovis plac'd all his affections upon him and consequently render'd him more odious to Fredegond Nor did the Young Prince less mortally hate his Mother in Law and tho' it highly conccern'd him to conceal his sentiments which otherwise might prove his bane yet could he not forbear to entrust his secret thoughts with one of her Maids of Honour with whom he had an intreague So that as Lovers can keep nothing hid from their Mistresses he told her one day that if he ever came to the Crown he would not leave the Death of his Brothers unreveng'd and that he would extend the punishment of Fredegond to the utmost rigor of the Law This severe language being reported to Fredegond as she had great reason to fear the dire effects of it so she made it her business to prevent her Son in Law And to that purpose she accus'd Clovis to his Father for having destroy'd the three Children born of their Body 's in lawfull Wedlock by vertue of certain charms compos'd by one of her Maids of Honour and her Daughter the very same person in whom the Prince had put so dangerous a confidence Thereupon the King falling into the snare tho' so palpable and obvious to the sight caus'd the two unfortunate Lady 's to be arrested who being put to the Rack that they might free them-from from torment whatever was ask'd 'em they confest not only all but more then was sufficient for the conviction of Clovis So that the King after he had seen the verbal report of the depositions commanded Didier and Boson the Captains of his Guards and Fredegond's creatures to seize the person of his Son which was presently done with more then ordinary inhumanity
charming that she obtain'd whatever she desir'd and infus'd Love into his Heart under the mask of Pity She preserv'd her Conquest till the King 's fatal march into Italy and he endeavour'd to conceal his Infidelity from the Countess of Chateau-Brian for whom he had always a great respect We have already said that at his return he was so enamour'd of Mademoiselle d' Helle that she wholly possess'd his Heart and render'd him insensible to all the other Ladies of the Court Diana who had been marry'd a long time before to Lewis de Brezé Seneschal of Normandy endeavour'd to comfort her self for that same change of the King's Affection with the marks of kindness which the Dauphin shew'd her whose Inclinations she understood so well how to manage that he continu'd faithful to her till death But thô she had reason enough to be satisfy'd with this victory yet she could never pardon Madam d' Estampes for stealing the King's Heart from her and conceiv'd such a mortal hatred against her that she never fail'd of giving the proofs of it upon all occasions that presented themselves Poyet who was acquainted with all these things believ'd that he could not make choice of a better support and in regard she was no less glad to have the Head of the Law on her side the League was soon made The Chancellor after he had taken these Precautions gave the King such positive assurances of ruining the Admiral in due form of Law that he caus'd him to be arrested and sent him to Bois de Vincenues and Poyet immiediately drew up the Interrogatories upon which he was to be examin'd Nor was there any need of any great subtilty in the matter for that the Admiral answer'd after such a manner as did himself the greatest injury And in regard he made his defence more like a brave Soldier then a cunning Lawyer he confess'd the very things that condemn'd him believing 'em to be service able to his justification Nor did he speak exactly the language of the Seamen which was only understood by the Mariners at that time nor was he sufficiently inform'd of the difference between the Priviledges belonging to the Admiral and those which the Laws reserv'd to the King The Chancellor therefore that he might make the best of these three defects perswaded the King to chuse Commissioners out of all the Parlaments of the Kingdom to decide the Process and to take the particular cognizance of it from the Parlament of Paris the natural judge of Affairs of the Crown as the Admiral 's business was They who were made choice of were so devoted to the Chancellor that there was no question to be made but they would regulate their Suffrages according to the Chancellor's Instructions and had he been contented with that precaution the Admiral would have been condemn'd and no body should have known who had been the most active Agent in his ruin But nothing would serve the Chancellor but to put himself at the head of the Commissioners of which the Admiral had no sooner knowledge but excepted against him It is hardly to be believ'd that Poyet should be ignorant that his Dignity exempted him as well from the Exception as from the Reproaches that attended it Nevertheless if we consider his Conduct at that time it lookt as if he understood not the Priviledge that belong'd to his Office To ward off this blow which broke all his measures he had recourse to an Artifice the malignity of which had never been practis'd in a Court where there was some decorum still observ'd in matter of Probitie He was assur'd that the imprisonment of the Admiral had allarm'd the Dutchess and the Constable who could not chuse but be apprehensive of the same usage in a little time and that the consideration of their own rather then of the danger of their Friend would incite 'em to leave nothing omitted which they deem'd requisite to save his Life Therefore he order'd his Agents neatly to insinuate it into their Heads that it was no less his interest then theirs to preserve the Admiral and that the change which had happen'd in the Council threaten'd with the same disgrace all those who had the Honour to be admitted into it Nevertheless that the mischief was not so great as it might be imagin'd to be since the Chancellour was not excluded from the number of the Commissioners that be had taken all the precautions which the Law had taught him to prevent the Judgment from extending it self either to natural or civil Death but that he had understood with equal sentiments of Vexation and pity that the Admiral had not a worse Enemy then his own self that of necessity it must be concluded that either the fear of Death had depriv'd him of his judgment or that the Councel assign'd him of were false to him since he talk'd of refusing the Head of the Law and the only Friend that he had remaining among the Judges that his pretence for excepting against him grounded upon the loss of his Suit was ridiculous in regard that besides that the business in controversy was but a trifle 't was so long while ago and there had been such a change in the face of affairs since that that the Admiral had no more reason to bear it in remembrance then two grave Old Gentlemen might have to mistrust one of another because that in their Infancy they had quarrel'd about a Pin. This comparison as mean as it was made 'em so clearly apprehensive of the difference between Poyet a Counsellor in Parliament only and the same Poyet a Chancellor and Minister of State that the Dutchess and the Constable suffer'd themselves to be surpriz'd They were dazled with the false hopes which the Chancellor gave 'em and communicated their mistake to the Admiral while they thought to un-hood wink his Eyes So that they oblig'd him to desist from his exception and the Chancellor by that means being become Master of the process by the consent of the parties promis'd to himself that he should be able to manage it as the King pleas'd A Man would have thought there was nothing now that could have prevented the ruin of Chabot after his Friends had so stupidly fallen into the snare that was laid for 'em when the King unwilling to take away the life of a favourite for a crime which he did not believe him guilty of signifi'd to the Chancellor that he would be content with a decree that might only punish the Admiral with the loss of all that he had acquir'd The sentence then was pronounc'd with all the formality that could be and the King after he had made use of Poyets Ministry to shew a great example of severity was no less desirous immediately after of his own free will and without communicating his thoughts to any body to make manifest as great an example of his clemency doubtless that he might improve the value of his Mercy and cause the Dutchess
that the time of her revenge was drawing on The Dutchess being oblig'd by this ill usage to reflect upon the irregularity of her Tongue was so much the more afâ—aid of the effects of Diana's hatred by how much the less she was in a condition to avoidx'em For instead of managing to her advantage the Duke d' Estampes her Husband whose humour insensible and little subject to the pleasures of Love might have been amus'd by slight marks of the King's liberality and vain employments provided he had receiv'd 'em when he stood in need of 'em she had displeas'd him to that degree as to incense him beyond the bounds of decency out of the strangest capricio's that ever jealousy infus'd to publish his own dishonour by a judicial enquiry into the behaviour of his Wife as we have already said This way of proceeding put the Dutchess out of all hopes of ever returning to her Husband and reduc'd her to that misery that the Seneschal's Wife after the King's Death made use of the jealous Duke as an instrument to torment her till her revenge was fully satiated These inducements of terror that could not be either more powerful nor more probably grounded oblig'd the Dutchess to seek out for an expedient to secure her from the impending storm And that which seem'd to her to be best and the most easie altogether was to shroud her self under the Duke of Orleance's protection and to set up a faction at Court so powerful in his favour as to equal that which Diana had form'd for the Dauphin The Dutches's aim was to seek for some great establishment for the Duke of Orleance without the Kingdom where she might find that repose and security which she stood in need of Nor was there any other establishment which he could pretend to then what the Emperor had so many times propos'd which was the investiture of the Dutchy of Milan or the Low Countries upon two conditions The one was that he should marry the Emperors Daughters or his Niece The other was to prevent the Reunion of what ever should be given in favour of either of these two Matches to the Crown of France All the difficulty lay in the last Condition to which the pretended sterility of the Dauphiness was an invincible obstacle That Princess had been marry'd ten Years yet never had any signs of a great Belly and let the cause be what it would from whence the defect proceeded the Duke of Orleance would be ne'er the less presumptive Heir to the Crown nor by consequence less capable in the Emperors judgment to hold the fiefs of Milan and the Low Countries Fernelius the Physitian after he had sounded the Dauphinesses temper took a fancy that he could cure her indisposition and whither it were that the Physick that he gave her wrought effectually or that his secret consisted only in revealing to the Dauphin the particular minutes wherein his Wife was most capable to conceive the whole Court perceiv'd in a few Months after that the Dauphiness was big with Child The Dutchess's surprizing joy upon the news would not allow her so much liberty of thought at first as to know the advantages that she might draw from thence but afterwards she order'd the Emperor to be sounded whether he had any mind to engage the Duke of Orleans to his Interests or no. He that was entrusted with a Commission so nice as this had all the qualities sufficient to begin so great an affair but not those that were proper to bring it to a conclusion He was of the Illustrious House of Longueval and Count of Bâ—ssu and he had insinuated himself into the friendship of the Dutchess by the care which he took to improve her Estate and give her notice of such opportunities as offer'd themselves to encrease it by begging vacant gratifications of the King And in regard he had Lands in the Low Countries as well as in Picardy he might without being suspected hold a correspondence in both Provinces He had both Wit and Address Resolution and Reservedness but he was extreamly felt interested and in regard he had a greater Estate in Flanders then in France that which he mainly aim'd at was to establish himself in the first of those Countries where his posterity afterwards fix'd themselves and grew numerous This inducement made him accept of the Order to negotiate for the Dutchess because it would render him more considerable to the House of Austria and the Emperor overjoy'd to see so potent a faction among his Enemies that sought to correspond with him look't upon this conjuncture as a favour that Fortune offer'd him for the resettlement of his affairs in the Low-Countries He assur'd the Dutchess that he would give the Duke of Orleance the Duthy of Milan with his Niece or the Low-Countries with his Daughter and for sear she should mistrust he would deceive her because he granted her demand so soon and so readily he added that he reserv'd to himself the choice of the alternative and that he would not be oblig'd to explain himself nor to perform his promise till he should have made an agreement with the King that is to say till he should reap all the effects of that friendship which the Dutchess and her faction could procure him for those remote promises the performance of which depended upon his sincerity The Count of Bossu had understanding sufficient to perceive that the Engagement was not reciprocal but he shut his Eyes and the Dutchess from whom the Allurement of a retreating place took away the sight of the Serpent that lay under the flowers perform'd her part in forming so strict a League with the Emperor that nothing past either at the Court or in the Council of France which was not immediatly conveigh'd to his knowledge In short the first Letter that he receiv'd by the Counts means did him so signal a piece of service that it sav'd both his person and his whole Army And the Emperor knew so well to make his advantage of the intelligence that she gave him that he reduc'd France within two Fingers breadth of utter ruin But Fortune having balanc'd his first successes the Dutchess took an occasion from thence to manage a peace between the two Crowns The reciprocal fears of Francis I. and Charles V. were the foundation of a new intreague between Queen Elenor's and the Emperors Confessors both of 'em Dominican Fryars The first was cal'd Diegos Chiavez and the second Gabriel de Gusman Chiavez by virtue of a private Order which he conceal'd wrote to Gusman as if he had pretended only to impart to him a thought that was come into his Head that the greatest good they could do both the one and the other was to try whither Divine Providence would make use of 'em as Instruments to confound the Wisdom of Men by employing 'em to make that Peace which so many great personages could not conclude Gusman presently apprehended what lay conceal'd in his
Brothers Letter and shew'd it to Queen Eleonor The Queen held a correspondence with the Dutchess d' Estampes because not having any Issue by the King she expected to be sent back so soon as she should be a Widow and consequently she took no other care but to deserve a favourable reception from the Emperor her Brother when she should return to reside with him by doing him good Service in an Enemies Court whither she had been banish'd under the specious pretence of Matrimony Gusman and the two Ladies labour'd so successfully with Francis I. that that they caus'd him to patch up a Peace very advantageous to the Emperor and to sacrifice to the expectation of an imaginary Alliance several considerable places which enlarg'd the Emperors Frontiers and secur'd 'em in such a manner that for a long time there was no danger on that side 'T is true that the course which the Dauphin took in causing the Constable to be recall'd and putting him at the head of the Army contributed not a little to make the King resolve upon a Peace out of his aversion to the chief Officer of the Crown But the Death of the Duke of Orleans which happen'd some time after disingag'd the Emperor from his promise at a time when he saw himself oblig'd in pursuance of the Treaty of Crepi to resolve upon the giving him his Daughter with the Low-Countries or his Niece with the Dutchy of Milan In the mean time Francis I after he had spun out his Distemper in several places felt his Feaver gather such strength upon him at Rambouilleâ— that he could not reach St. Germains where he thought to repose himself so that after he had lain in a languishing condition for some Days in that House he gave up the Ghost leaving the Seneschal of Normandy's Wife in full power to execute her premeditated revenge upon the Dutchess d' Estampes by means of her Ascendant over the new King The Intreagues of the Court of France under the Reign of Henry II. THE Face of the Court was wholly chang'd after the Death of Francis I. The Cardinal of Tournon and Marshal d' Annebaut who had the supream management of affairs under the preceeding Reign were turn'd out of the Council and â—he Constable who was recal'd from his Exile was admitted in their Room Francis Count of Aumale who was Duke of Guise after the Death of his Father and James d' Albon St. Andrè were the King's Favourites But the chief Authority remain'd in the hands of Diana of Poictiers the Widow of Lewis de Brezé Seneschal of Normandy who was made Dutchess of Valentiuois The Dutchess d' Estampes fearing the effects of her Enemies revenge retir'd to Ville Martin a House of pleasure within a League of the City which bore the Name of her Dutchy There she liv'd for some Years in the exercise of the new Religion which she had embrac'd and to which her example and her Liberality drew a great number of People of both Sexes But thô the Dutchess of Valentinois had reason to be contented with the excess of confidence and affection which the King shew'd her yet could not she not continue faithful to him She was charm'd with the goodly presence of Charles de Cosse Brissac she struggl'd for some time with her sentiments of tenderness for him and at length not being able to extinguish 'em after she had consulted her mirror which perswaded her that she had still beauty enough notwithstanding the alteration that Age had made to her Face to engage that Lord to comply with her passion she resolv'd to that purpose to let him understand what past in her Hearâ— She took an opportunity to do it when he came to congratulate her upon the removal of Madam d' Estampes Are your protestations sincere said she and may I be assur'd that you have a real devotion for my person After he had sworn that she might put him upon the Tryal and that he was ready to sacrifice his Life for her Interests I know pursu'd she that the credit I have at Court engages all those who have any Ambition to offer me their service but I require from you more disinterested sentiments I would have it that you should only Love in me what I hold from nature without considering what I owe to the King's favours I shall not be ungrateful for I will take care of your fortune provided you let me follow my own inclinations and wholly confide in me She accompany'd those words with looks so passionate that Brissac who was no novice in Love readily understood that it would be his fault if he did not enter into a particular Intreague with the Dutchess He was in great danger of incurring the King's displeasure if a familiarity of that nature should come to be discover'd but more of falling under Diana's indignation if she found her self contemn'd after she had met him so far above half the way Thereupon he never scrupl'd which course to take and judging it became him not to neglect so fair an opportunity he made no other answer then by a most passionate kiss which he imprinted upon one of the Dutchesses hands 'T is not known whither Brissac had any real passion for her or whether he feign'd a true affection that he might make the best of her credit but certain it is that they had several meetings Some time after the Court remov'd to Chasteau de Chambert which Francis the I. had built The Dutchess was lodg'd in an Apartment by it self at the end of the Park whither the King went the next Evening when all People had left his Chamber through a Gallery made under Ground and staid all the Night with her One Evening that Brissac had tarry'd somwhat later then ordinary word was brought by some of the Attendants that they had spi'd a light at the entrance into the Vault and that most certainly the King was at hand At which the Dutchess being alarm'd presently sent away Brissac who not far from the separate Apartment met Claude Tais Grand Master of the Ordinance whether it were upon any Assignation hard by or whether his musing thoughts had led him so far that way However it were he knew Brissac and mistrusting the occasion of his Nocturnal visit he accosted him and jested too close upon him Brissac no way pleas'd with his discourse acquainted the Dutchess with it next Day who presently caus'd the indiscreet Frumper to be discarded and obtain'd his employment for her Favourite Tais knew well from whence his misfortune came but durst not speak a word of it to any Living Soul for fear of a worse trouble From Chambort the Court remov'd to Joinville where the Queen was seiz'd with a purple Feaver which swell'd her Tongue to that decree that she lost her speech Immediatly the poor Queen was forsaken by all her Officers who thought her Disease had been Mortal nor did any body remain with her but the Cardinal of Chatillon The
his Amorous Commerce he was discover'd and it cost him his Life One evening returning from the Loâ—â—â—re at eleven a Clock at Night thirty men in Vizards fell upon him in the Street St. Honore stab'd him in a thousand places and laid him dead upon the Stones where he expir'd soon after The King caus'd his Body to be carry'd to 〈◊〉 House ne'r the Bastille from whence he was born in great Pomp to St. Pâ—â—d's Church and there buri'd But there was no pursuite after the Murderers because the Duke of Maâ—â— was known to be at the Head of 'em and for that the King was not ignorant that St. Megrin had drawn that misfortune upon himself by his own imprudence tho his Majesty was wont to make him a familiar Companion of his Pleasures Nor was Bussy dâ—Amâ—oise the Duke of Alenson's Favorite more happy then St. Megrin He lov'd Mademoiselle de Manteran for tho he had engag'd himself in a strict Intreague and private enough too with that Lady by the means of the Lieutenant Criminal of Saumur his Confident who took care to manage their Randevoâ—zes whither she thought by such an act to conceal the dishonour of her miscarriage of whither she began to disgust her Lover However she sent for Bussy to meet her in her Castle where she would be alone but as soon as he was arriv'd there the Marquis of Monteraâ— who kept himself private in the next Room fell upon him with ten more of his Friends Bussy who was stout and brave defended himself like a Lyon while his Sword was whole but when they had broken it he threw a way the Hilâ— and with Barrs and Stools such as he could lay hands on wounded three or four of his Enemies When he had nothing to defend himself he bethought himself of taking his Heels and as he was preparing of leap out of the Window he receiv'd a mortal wound which laid him weltering upon the Floor The Duke of Aâ—â—nson was no way concern'd for his death because his excessive Pride and Vanity had disgusted him Some months after there was great rejoying at Court upon the Marriage of the Queens Sister Mademoiselle de Vaudemont with d'Argues whom the King had made Duke of Joyeuse All the Ladies made their appearances in the place most magnificently adorn'd there were Masquerades Balls Runnings at the Ring and Tournaments Ransard and Baif had each of 'em a thousand Crowns a piece for Epithalamiums and Verses upon the Subject of that Festival All the Princes to collogue with the King treated the new marri'd Couple every one in their turn The Cardinal of Bourbon who lodgd in the Abby of St. Germans prepar'd a great entertainment in that place the 10th of October 1581. He had order'd a most stately Gallery to be erected for their Majesties to pass to the Pre aux Clercâ—â— It was to have been drawn by four and twenty small Boates that were to have been cover'd with painted Skins which were to have made 'em appear at a distance like so many Sea Mousters and they were to have carry'd Trumpets Hautboys and Violins which were to have founded and strook up successively several Consorts of Warlike and Rural Musick But this Machine did not take effect So that the King was forc'd to go in his Coach to the Abby But this defect was repair'd by several other Gallantries among which there was an Artificial Garden adorn'd with all the beautiful products of the Spring tho it were in the depth of Winter When the King treated the same Company at the Louvre he caus'd a Ball to be daunc'd which represented the divertisements of Ceres and her Nymphs This Ball was attented by a Carrousel wherein the Horses trampl'd to the sound of several Instruments and an Artificial Firework which darted forth Rockets that as they fell form'd the Cifers of the Duke and Dutches. The next year upon Shrove Tuesday the King ran in Masquerade till six a Clock the next morning committing a thousand Follies For which the Preachers tax'd him in their Sermons with too much freedom Henry the Third being offended at it seal for Rose a Doctor of the Sorâ—onne who had declar'd against that Cavalcade with more heat then any of the rest nevertheless got off at the expence of a sight reprimand For said the King to him Doctor Rose I have suffer'd you for these ten years together to râ—n roaring about the Streets and never said any thing to ye yet here for one fegary at the end of the Carnaval you have mangled my Reputation in your Sacred Pulpit pray be more discreet another time and do so no more The King was also so good natur'd that sending for him again within a few days after he gave him four hunder'd Crowns and ask'd him whither that â—â—m would suffice to buy him Sugar enough to sweeten the bitterness of his Sermons When Hen. III. took his Progress into Guyenne the King of Navarr who went to meet him at Bourdeaux entred into an acquaintance there with the Countess of Gâ—iche the Widow of Philibert Count of Gramont who was Slain at the Siege of la Fere. He found her very Amiable and paid her several visits during his stay in that Province and her company made him a mends for the infiedlity of Madam de Sauve For he found her altogether as sensible of his affection as his first Mistress when he parted from Bourbeaux and besought her not to take it amiss if he â—et her hear from him by Parabese whom he had taken into his Service and whose Sister who was one of the same Province was one of his great Friends The Countess was overâ—oy'd at her having an opportunity to keep a correspondence with the King of Navarr and continu'd it till he came to the Crown As for Henry III. most certain it is that notwithstanding these irregularities of his youth his Subjects would have liv'd happily under his Reign had he not found 'em divided into two Factions extreamly exaâ—perated one against the other when he succeeded his Brother For he was Couragious Eloquent and Liberal even to profusion he lov'd men of Merit and was so naturally inclin'd to mildness that 't was alwaies a Grief to him when he punish'd Intreagues of the Court of France under the Raign of Hen. IV. THE first Person to whâ—m over Heâ—ry IV gave any mark of his affection 〈◊〉 Antonetta de Ponâ— Marchionesâ— of Gâ—erâ—◠〈◊〉 Widow of Henry de Silly Count of Roâ—â—â—â—guyen He saw her in Normandy and fell so passionately in love with her that he altogether forgot the Countess of Guich◠〈◊〉 whom nevertheless he had always a high esteem and never refuâ—'d 〈◊〉 any Kindness when it lay in his Power There was 〈◊〉 difference between those two Ladies thaâ— the first was a Country Lady that had never been at Court and that the seâ—ond had all the delicacy of Wit and Conversation which usually distinguishes persons of the Highest Quality from others The
his Heroick Vertues his Birth and Soveraign Dignity had rais'd him above all other Men. The good King who suffer'd himself to be easily over-rul d by persons that offer'd to him the Incense of flattery return'd Madam Villars a thousand thanks and promis'd her the acknowledgment of so great a piece of Service So soon as she was gone he sent the Count de Lude to Madam de Vernucil with orders to upbraid her with her Infidelity and to tell her in his name that he never intended to see her more She was extreamly surprâ—z'd at this Compliment yet in the midst of her inward disorders shew d no sign of any outward discomposure She answerd with a kind of indifferency that as she had done nothing to offend the King she could not divine the reason for incurring his displeasure only she hop'd that Heaven would do her justice by bringing the mistery to light and revenging her upon those who had infus'd into his Majesty a bad opinon of her conduct and so saying she withdrew into her Cabinet to hide the confusion of her thoughts Some days after Bellegarde having discover'd the prejudice which Madam de Villars had done the Marchioness of Vernueil bent all his thoughts which way to salve the business not so much out of any value for that Lady or the Prince of Joyinville for whom he had no kindness but for the sake of his Sisters interest and thus he went about it He knew that the Duke of Guise had a Secretary that counterfeited all manner of Characters perfectly well and therefore he agreed with the Prince of Joyinville that he should acknowledge he had made use of that mans Art to counterfeit Madam de Vernueils hand by concert with Madam de Villars who mortally hated the Marchioness The King's Mistress having notice of this design sent to beseech his Majesty that she might be permitted to justifie her self which he scrupl'd at first to do as not imagining which way she could be innocent Nevertheless he gave her a visit at what time the Marchioness express'd her self so movingly and gave him those plausible reasons for the proof of her Loyalty that he suffer'd himself to be deluded by outward appearances He sent the Prince of Joyinville to serve against the Turks in Hungary banish d Madam de Villars into the Country where he confin'd her to one of her own Mannours and sent the Secretary to Prison This is that which many times befalls people that will be officiously busying themselves to make discoveries to their Masters when they never desire it Madam de Villars was separated from a Lover whom she tenderly Lov d and shamefully banish'd from the Court at a time that she thought to have tryumph'd over her Rivaless During these Broyls the Queens hatred of the Marchioness of Vernucil publickly brake out for in regard she thought she had been utterly lost in the Kings Affection she left nothing omitted to compleat her Ruin nor could they ever from that time forward be reconcil'd again The Marchioness did the Queen all the ill Offices she could devise and the Queen who was inform'd of it spair'd not in all places to manifest the Marks of her Resentment which divided the whole Court. On the Otherside the King tyr'd out with these Dissentions began to pay his Visits again to Mademoiselle de Bourdaistere whith whom he had been formerly in Love but he was soon a weary of her and therefore marry d her to the Count d' Estampes After that he took to Jaqueline de Bueil Countess of Moret who had been bred up in the Princess of Conde s House 1602. The Marchioness of Vernueil being inform'd of all these Intreagues was so terribly incens'd that the suffer'd herself to be perswaded into a Treaty with Spain and a Conspiracy against the King with the Count of Anvergne her Brother by the Mother's side Which Negotiation could not be carry'd so secret but that the King had knowledge of it nevertheless he would not presently make use of the Rigour of Justice He offer d the Count of Anvergne his Pardon provided he would come to Court and acknowledge his Crime But the Count refus'd to confide in his Clemency which was the reason that the King order'd him to be Apprehended D Eâ—re Murat and Norestan who had the Kings Warrant stopt him at Clermont in Anvergne under pretence of shewing him a Review of the Duke of Vendomes Reigment and there Seiz'd him A certain Lay that Lov'd him was so afflicted for him that she made use of all her Artifice and Cunning to have procur'd his Escape as they carry d' him by water to Paris but her designs took no Effect The Marquiss d' Entragues was clapt into the Conciergiere and Madam de Vernueil was arested by the Chavalier Daguet in Audicourt House in St. Pauls Street were she lodg'd and was kept under Guard These three Persons were also Impeach'd and the Proofs being found sufficient Madam de Vernueil was Condemn'd to be strongly guarded to the Abby of Beaumont les Tours there to spend the rest of her days and her Father and Brother to have their Heads cut off which Sentence was afterwards chang'd into perpetual Imprisonment During the Disgrace of the Marchioness of Vernueil Hen. IV. had a greater kindness for the Queen and liv'd very lovingly with her â— Mademoiselle de Guise also who was become his Favorite took advantage of this favourable Conjuncture to procure an Establishment of her Fortune and wrought with His Majesty to consent to her Marriage with Francis of Bourbon Prince of Conti. And soon after the King who could meet with no body at Court that was worthy of his Affections renew'd his Friendship with the Marchioness of Vernâ—â—l whom he Visited with that Privacy that the Queen had no knowledge of it but so soon as she discoverd the new Familiarity she carry'd her Râ—â—â—tment so high that she forbad all the Lady's that should offer to visit the Marchioness to come to her Court The King to asswage her Transports forbore Visiting Madam de Vernueil for some time and in the mean time to imploy his Amorous Heart he Courted Catherine de Lorrain the Duke of Maines Daughter and Wife to Charles Duke of Nevers a Princess of great Virtue who had a very great Honour for His Person but would by no means comply with his Passion The King that he might detain her at Court took for his Pretence the Christning of the Dauphin to whom the Dutchess of Montoua and Nevers were Cousin Germans Nor could the Dutchess of Nevers in point of Decency refuse to be present at the Ceremony But the more the King sought opportunity 's to discourse her in Private the more she took care to avoy'd 'em tho' sometimes her precautions prov d fruitless by reason of that respect which she was oblig'd to bear to a Lover of his Quality The King however thought he might bring about his design if he did but remove
Stranger and one that was but to make a short stay in France they did not believe he would engage in an Intreague with Madam de Chevreuse The Duke of Orleans the King's Brother was then at Limours and the Dutchess at Dampierre that lye not above ten Leagues a sunder The Grand Prior and Chalais who were the Duke of Orleans's principal Favorites carry'd Buckingham to Limours from whence they went every Afternoon to Diampierre During Buckingham's stay there he invented every day some new Courtly feast to divertise the Dutchess to which he always invited the two Lovers for fear they should grow jealouss In the Evening he had the honour to converse in private with the Dutchess by the means of Madam de Vernet her good friend whom he had engag'd in his Interests by his liberality Now when he had receiv'd such sufficient proofs of the Dutchess of Chevreuses Compliance that he could no longer doubt but that she lov d him in good earnest he told her that to conceal their correspondece from his Rivals there was a necessity of engaging em in a Conspiracy against Cardinal Richlieu who was at that time Chief Minister and perswade 'em that tho they were alone together yet they never spoke of any thing but of State Affairs The Grand Prior and Chalais easily fell into this Snare and whereas they saw to their great vexation that the Duke of Orleans their Master had no share in the Government they immediately rellsh'd the proposal which was made 'em to perswade the Prince to declare himself Head of the Faction that they would set up upon the assurance which Buckingham gave em of the King of Great Britain's Protection This Intreague could not be carri'd so secretly but that Cardinal Richlieu had notice of it However he would not presently fly out against the Dutchess not being well assur'd that she was in the Plot So that he only procur'd the Banishment of Madam de Vernet This menace which one would have thought should have made the Conspirators afraid of a more severe punishment did not make 'em give over their clandestin Practises The Marshal d' Ornano Monsieur's Governour headed 'em afraid if his Master should marry Mademoiselle de Montpensier as the King desir'd least she who was a notable Lady should get the upper-hand of the Duke and put him out of his favour Therefore the principal aim of the Malecontents was to break off this Match and perswade the Duke of Orleans to marry Mademoiselle de Bourbon the Prince of Conde s Sister and by that match to unite those two Houses in a strict Alliance or to put him upon looking out for some forraign Princess from whom he might have great Assistance and a Powerful Protection As for Mademoiselle de Montpensier they design'd to marry her to the Count of Soissons thereby to tye the House of Guise to that of Bourbon Cardinal Richlieu who had every day advice of this Negatiation that he might find out the Bottom of it went to take the Air for three days at Bassompierre â—s House who was the Count of Chalais's Father-in-Law and had the knack of flattering the Count so ticklingly that he fetch'd the whole plot out of his very Soul Some days after the Marshal d' Ornano was arrested at Fontain Bleau and carri'd to the Castle of Vincennes they also secur'd the Duke of Vendosm and the Grand Prior his Brother at Blois But it cost them nothing but their being put in a world of bodily fear for the real Punishment fell up Chalais who lost his Head Madam de Chevreuse who foresaw the Tempest betimes secur'd her life and liberty by Flight and retir'd into Lorrain from whence she went to Brussells There were other Intreagues at Court after the death of Mademoiselle the Duke of Orleans first Wife For this same Prince being fallen in love with Maria de Gonzaga the Duke of Montoua's Daughter had a design to marry her and the King himself no way seem'd to dislike the Match But the Queen Mother whose aim it was to marry Monsieur to the Princess of Florence after she had made use in vain of all her perswasions and all her authority to make him consent to the Match had recourse to violence and at Columniers caus'd that Princess to be seiz'd together with the Dutchess Dowager of Longueville Monsieur being touch d to the quick with this ill-usage of a person so dear to him withdrew into Lorrain where nevertheless he prov'd unfaithful and being charm'd with the person of the Princess Margaret the Dukes Sister to the burying in Oblivion of his first Affections he marri d her without his Majesties consent The King incens'd at this match sent a Powerful Army into Lorrain under the Conduct of the Marquiss of St. Chaumont There upon the Princess Margaret seeing that the security of her Country depended upon her Liberty departed the City by four a Clock in the morning in mans Apparel well mounted and attended only by a Gentleman whose name was Dause who had serv'd Madam de Remiremont and two other Ladies and after they had rode thirteen Leagues without drawing bit and hid themselves in a Wood to avoid some Swedish Troops which they descri'd at a distance she arriv'd very much tyr d at Thimville into which place she had much ado to get admittance Presently she gave Monsieur who was retir'd into the Low Countries advice of her arrival who immediately sent to her de Fontaines Chalandray de Rames de Laveauport the Duke d' Elboeuf and Puis Laurens afterwards he went to meet her as far as Marche en famine understanding she was to take that Roade from Namur and carri d her to Brussells where the Magistrates came to kiss her hands and by the Infanta she was conducted to the Queen Mother who as well as a good part of the Grandees of the Kingdom were constrain'd to seek for Sanctuary in that City against the Persecutions of Cardinal Richlieu Now in regard the greatest part of the Court of France was at Brussells I do not believe it will be any deviation from my Subject to give some account of the Gallantries of the French Princes and Ladies that were retir'd thither Monsieur whose amorous humour could not lie idle while he waited the arrival of the Princess Margaret pai'd his assiduities to the Countess of Rennebourgh but she being so austerely vertuous that she was commonly stil'd the Savage he went to refresh himself with the Company of a Spanish Lady call'd Dona Blanca whose humour was altogether as morose Madam de Chevreuse lai'd all her Snares to entrap Archduke Leopold the Emperors Brother to whom the Catholick King had given the Government of the Low Countries and the Duke d' Elboeuf made addresses to Madam de Grincalberque but all these Amours were only transitory Gallantries there was no body but the Duke of Guise that embark'd himself in Intreagues of any long continuance and such indeed as prov d
Liberty However the Duke was desirous to have her company by all manner of ways nor had she any pretence to avoid this dangerous voyage but only that she staid to perswade her Brother to quit the Court in a fury and prepare himself for a Civil War The Prince of Conti aim'd at nothing certain nevertheless he folow'd his Sisters sentiments not knowing what they were and was desirous of a War as being that which would give him an opportunity to quit his Breviary for which he had no kindness The Duke of Nemours also most earnestly advis'd it tho his sentiments proceeded not so much from his Ambition as from his jealousie of Mounsieur the Prince For he was fallen most violently in love with the Dutchess of Chatillon who had been a long time before intreagu'd with the Prince of Conde and in regard he could not break off their familiarity but by separating 'em forever he knew no other way to succed but by a War and that was the only motive which induc'd him to desire it The Conduct of the Court and the Prince's behaviour soon furnish'd both sides with occasion of mistrust and both parties prepar'd a like for a Rupture The Prince of Conde sent the Marquiss of Silleri into Flanders under pretence of disingaging Madam de Logueville and Marshal Turenne from the Treaties they had made with the Spaniards to procure his Liberty but in truth he had orders to take measures with the Count of Fuensalida Governour of the Low Countries and to sound him before hand what assistance the Prince might expect if he were constrain'd to a War The Count return'd his answer to the proposal according to the usual custom of the Spaniards and promising much more then could reasonably be expected from him left nothing omitted to engage the Prince to take Arms. The Prince also by means of Vinueil negotiated with Mademoiselle de Pons to engage the Duke of Guise in his party obliging himself when he treated with Spain to procure his liberty which he did effectually Moreover upon notice of a intended design to arrest him he withdrew to St. Maur and by the Duke of Rochefoucaut gave notice to the Duke of Orleance of the occasion of his withdrawing out of the way He refus'd to speak in private with Marshal Gramont who came in the King's name to demand the cause of his withdrawing and to invite him to return to Paris with a promise of all security But the Prince return'd him an answer in the hearing of all the company that were present That thâ— Cardinal Mazarin were remov'd from the Court his Spirit and his Maxims raign'd there still and therefore there could be no safety in that place for his person The Prince of Conti also and Madam de Longueville repaird to St. Maur as soon as the Prince arriv'd there and for the first days there was a Court no less numerous nor less crouded with persons of Quality then the Kings with all divertisements serviceable to Politics as Balls Comedies Play and Hunting and the welcome entertainment drew an iâ—finite number of fickle people that always offer their Service at the beginning of parties dividing themselves and which either betray or abandon 'em according to their fears or their interests Thus Mounsieur the Prince believing he was in a condition to support himself at Paâ—is against the Court repair'd thither and sent Madam the Princess the Duke of Enguien and Madam de Longueville to Montrond with a design to pass soon after into Gâ—yenne where the whole Province was prepar d to receive him But when he arriv'd in the Capital City of the Kingdom he found that the Cabal of Slingers were absolutely against him in hopes that the Court would protect 'em in their opposition to him The Coadjutor who was the head of 'em openly declar'd himself his Enemy and never went to the Palace without a great number of armed Men at his heels which oblig'd the Prince to do the same nay one day the two parties were ready to have drawn upon one anoher in the great Hall The Prince therefore fearing least the Slingers should be too strong for him at Paris passed into Guyenne where fortune was as little favourable to him the Count de Harcourt having always the advantage over him On the other side the Duke of Nemours who commanded the Army that came out of Flanders and the Duke of Beaufort who led the Duke of Orleance's Troops being ready to joyn near the River Loire corresponded so ill together that the Prince of Conde thought it necessary to take the command of both together to prevent the unlucky consequences that might attend the misunderstandings of the Chieftains To that purpose he at length departed leaving the Count of Marsin in Bourdeaux to keep that City with the whole Province under his obedience and to hinder his enemies from taking any advantage of the differences between the Prince of Conti and Madam de Longueville For the Prince of Conti could not endure she should have any Lover and display'd those transports of his jealousie which no way became a Brother At length the Prince of Conde arriv'd in the Army with a small train after he had escap'd many daâ—gers beat Marshal d' Hoquincourt and had some advantage over Marshal Turenne but tho fortune was favourable to him in both those enterprises however he was desirous of Peace and was willing to enter into a Negotiation with the Court. To which purpose he sent away Gourville with an Instrument drawn up in the presence of the Dutchess of Chatillon and the Dukes of Nemours and Rochefoucaut Presently the greatest part of the Propositions made by the Prince were granted nor had the Treaty been broken off but upon the pretentions of the Duke of Bouillon who desir d that the Dutchy of Albret might be taken from the Prince and settl d upon him in lieu of what had been promis'd him for the loss of Sedan The Dutchess of Ghatillon seeing the Negotiation broken off would needs undertake the accommodation her self and perswaded the Prince to give his consent For she most passionately desir'd Peace out of a design to despite Madam de Longueville whose interest it was to hinder a Pacification that she might not be oblig'd to return to her Husband The Emulation which Beauty and Courtship frequently causes among Ladies had occasion'd an extraordinary feud between the two Dutchesses and they had a long time conceal'd their animosity but at length it broke out with a vengence on both sides Nor did Madam de Chatillon confine her Victory to the obligation she had laid upon Nemours to breake of all familiarity with Madam de Longueville upon circumstances no less entrenching upon her Honour then publickly known she would also deprive him of the knowledge of Affairs and have the Conduct and Interests of the Prince solely at her disposal The Duke of Nemours who was deeply engag'd with her approv'd this design and thought that
tenderness that a Person more quick fighthed then Mademoiselle de Montpensier might have been perhaps deceiv'd However he had an utter Avesion against her and whatever Resolution he had taken to resist the Charmes of any new Inclination he could not forbear falling in love with a Young Dutchess next to whom he sat in a Box at the Representation of an Opera He told her without any more ado that he lov'd her The Dutchess hearken'd to him and they became the most intimate friends in the World But he was soon cross'd in his Amours by the Jealousie and Reproaches of Mademoiselle so that he found himself constrain'd to quit his Conquest which brought upon him a Tertian Ague that held him two Months before he could be cur'd He had recourse to an English Physitian and three times taking the Quinquina rid him of his troublesome Companion But the same remedy could not cure him of his disgust of Mademoiselle The Jealousie of that Princess made such a noise that all the whole Court knew the Count of Lausun had had three or four Mistresses within the space of five or six Months Insomuch that the King could not forbear laughing and saying at the same time that he could not but pitty his Kinswoman whom he had told a thousand times what would befall her Lausan being a meer Shatter braines Mademoiselles Enemies rais'd a thousand stories about him which render'd her ridiculous and Lausun for his part became the subject of all the Town-Raillery But that which was the greatest vexation to him was this that it got him so ill a repute among the Lady's that there was hardly a Chambermaid would admit his Caresses for fear of his Mademoiselle The Young Widow that he fell in Love with first of all and who was almost distracted because the Count had forsaken her sell upon him one Evening before a great deal of Company and play'd upon him so cruelly for his Inconstancy and about his Ague the marks of which a Wit as he was he had nothing to say for himself Thereupon he retir'd so ill satisfy'd with himself that he had return'd no better answers to the Lady's Raillery that he went and vented all his Spleen upon Mademoiselle where he committed two or three absurd actions and his Ague took him again the same Night Thereupon he return'd to his Quinquina but his Ague being fix'd his touchey humour became Insupportable But as Mademoiselle de Montpensier had brought upon herself so many Mortifications so neither was Madam de Montespan exempted from ' em For the death of her Rivaless had no way render d her condition more easie 'T is true the King made her frequent Visits but they were cold and to little or no purpose and at length she perceiv'd that the King took more delight in the Company of Madam de Maintenon who was Governess to his Children then in Hers. In a word M. de Maintenon was the Woman in whom the King put all his confidence So that Madam de Montespan was again at her wits-end For in regard it was she who had made the other what she was she could not endure that the Work or her own hands should prove serviceable to her destruction The whole Court was no less surpriz'd then Madam de Montespan to see the King so assiduous to a Woman of whom a thousand stories had been told and who was known by most People to have been no better then Scarron's Widow But the King loves Wit where ever he meets with it and every body knows Madam de Maintenon to be infinitely Witty above the common rate of her Sex and that there is no Intreague so difficult which she is not able to carry on The first time that Madam de Montespan saw her she soon perceiv'd what she was capable of so that without any hesitation she retain'd her in her Service and that Crafty Woman understood so well how to insinuate herself into her good liking that she entrusted her with all her Secrets she saw all the Letters that Madam de Montespan wrote to the King and all those which the King wrote to her And when Madam de Montespan was at a loss how to compose a Letter Madam de Maintenon did it for her and had incomparable success One day she wrote one for the Countess with which the King was enchanted The King knew well that it was above his Mistresses Genius and and therefore would needs know who wrote it Should I tell yee reply'd Madam de Montespan you would hardly believe it But not to hold ye any longer in suspence I do protest to ye Sir that it was Mistress Scarron who dictated to me I had such a cruel pain in my Head that day and your pleasure was so absolute that I should return you an answer that I was forc'd to have recourse to her Assistance From that very day the King had a great desire to see her and he was so well satisfy'd with her Conversation that he told her a thousand pretty things the most obliging in the World At the same time he recommended her to Madam de Montespan to take particular notice of her and took such particular cognizance of her himself that he purchas'd for her the Signiory of Maintenon which acquir'd her the Title of Marchioness and a Herald had order to fetch her descent from Jone d' Albret Queen of Navarr who after the death of her Husband marry'd privately with one of her Gentlemen who pretended to be the Father of Madam d' Aubigny Madam de Maintenon's Grandfather However it were for many People exclaim'd against this Pedygree Madam de Maintenon found herself of a suddain to be both the King 's Confident and Favourite and the only Consolation of that Monarch after the death of Madam de Fontange Madam de Montespan did all she could to put the King out of conceit with her but hitherto nothing has succeeded The King has such a value for her that he does not disdain to consult her sometimes in the most Ticklish Affairs of State and as things now stand the King would rather quarrel with the whole Royal Family then with her Nevertheless she has often undergone most Terrible Mortifications But still the King's favour has upheld her in the midst of these petty Anguishes of her Mind to which the Joys of great People and Favourites are generally subject She has had several Letters deliver'd to her that have ript up all the Occurrences of her Life Among the rest that which follows was one that was disper'd up and down by her Enemies T is the wonder of the World Madam notwithstanding you are mounted to so high a Pinacle of Favour that you should so little know your self We may very well apply to you the Tale of that vile Aminal which carrying the Relicques of a Deity thought it had been himself to whom the People pai their Adoration and nor the Idol with which he was laden A little consideration of