be made to him on behalf of Monsieur Fouquet for tho he was of no extraordinary Family himself he had marry'd one of his Daughters to the eldest Son of the Count de Charost and the King was sensible she would throw herself at his feet for her Father Thus the King stood ready to be gone the very moment they should bâ—â—ng him news that the poor man was condemned when one of the Judges a Councellor of the Parliament of Aix stood up and spoke for the Prisoner He told them he was astonisht to find such prejudice in that Court against a man as to seem resolv'd on any terms right or wrong to hurry him out of the world that at first view indeed there might be some appearance of guilt there had been found 't was true among his papers a rough scheme of a Rebellion with several methods how to raise it and other projects for his conduct in such an affair when it should be brought to pass and many such things for which Monsieur Fouquet might seem to deserve no less than death But when one came to examine into the the proofs of these Crimes there was cause enough at least to suspend ones Judgment against him this was found among a parcel of old waste Papers thrown by not only into a corner of the Room but into the Chimny and design'd for nothing but the Fire as Monsieur Fouquet had very well observ'd in his defence that there was no other marks of it but as of a thing form'd in his mind provokt to it by the barbarous usage of Cardinal Mazarin who upon all occasions had not fail'd to testifie his malice against him that 't was a general maxime in the Law that no man could be punish'd for thinking Treason nor for intending unless he proceed to some Overt-act that here was nothing like it in this case but on the contrary very evident tokens that he had laid aside so much as the thoughts of it that Kings ought not to be more rigorous than God himself who so graciously passes by the inadvertency of our conceptions but besides there was something of more consequence than all this that had been said that Monsieur de Fouquet affirm'd expresly that he had wherewithal to prove beyond contradiction his repentance of that very intention if they had not inhumantly stole away his Papers that 't was true those words might be spoken only to excuse himself but 't was also true that it might be really so this was certain and not to be denyed that they had found among his Papers several Petitions adress'd to Mons Colbert with the title of my Lord which was never given to him till since the imprisonment of Monsieur Fouquet that this was a proof they had come into his House without his knowledge and searcht there at their own pleasure and 't was an infallible consequence that they did so with a design to ruin him because that under pretence of searching in that manner they had carried away all the Papers which he should use for his Justification that notwithstanding all this he had clear'd himself of the great Crime his enemies made such a stir about of wasting the Revenues of the Crown that he had laid before them an account of his estate what he had when he entered upon the Ministry and what he had with his Wife which rogether amounted to above a million what Pensions he had received and what had sell to him upon other occasions And though these were very considerable yet he had not only spent all this in the service of his Majesty but was run into Debt above two Millions that his extravagance ought not to be reckon'd criminal since he had means enough of his own to do it without wrong to the King and he had done no injury to any body but himself poor man and his Family The greatest part of the Judges were amaz'd not so much at the discourse of this man tho' that had a great deal of force with it but to see how little he valuâ—â— the great Men whom he knew he should disoblige â—t the highest rate Now as we cannot do our Neighbour a better service than by a good example to set him in the right way all those that spoke after him were of the same mind and those who had before given their Voices for his Condemnation being asham'd of so unjust a Sentence retracted their judgment so that in a moment there was seen such a change in the Court as if some influence from above had wrought a miracle upon them However as there was cause enough to inflict some punishment upon Monsieur Fouquet either for that project of a revolt I mention'd or that he had fortifyed Bell Isle on his own account they thought fit to condemn him to Banishment They were very much surprized at Court at a Sentence so little expected and it quite broke off their journey to Chartres and Monsieur Colbert fearing that if Monsieur Fouquet should ever be at liberty he would find an occasion some time or other to let the King know certain things which iâ— concern'd him to have kept secret prevail'd upon the King to change the Sentence of Banishment to a perpetual Prison After then he had laid I knâ—â— not how long in the Dungeon at Vincennes they carryed him to Pignerol where he continued at least sixteen or seventeen years But this was the Pennance for his faults for they who knew him in that place of Persecution say he made so good use of it that nothing could have happen'd more to his advantage And since I have nam'd this I cannot forbear telling you a story that happen'd upon the occasion of his meeting with Monsieur De Lausun who was committed to the same Prison about ten years after and from whom I receiv'd this account Upon the first meeting they saluted one another and Monsieur Fouquet not recollecting immediately where he had seen him askt him his Name Whether or no he had forgot him in the time of his Disgrace Or that as 't was most likely Monsieur De Lausun was not so considerable in his time as to be known to him But Monsieur De Lausun having given him satisfaction who he was goes on to make himself known to him with the common vanity of telling ones own History by acquainting him with the particulars of his life Monsieur Fouquet heard him very intently for he was extreamly surpriz'd at some discourse he pretended to have had with the King about Madam de Monaco How he had told his Majesty he was no better than a Tyrant in offering to take away his Mistress from him and how he refus'd to serve in his Office of Collonel General of the Dragoons in the Army which marcht into Italy how he had askt the King to be made General and upon the refusal had thrown up his Commission In short how his Majesty had sent him to the Bastile from whence nevertheless
the Palace who had in the house an only Daughter between Nineteen and Twenty years of age tollerably handsom but very well made he had been extreamly pleas'd with her Conversation which very much diverted him when he had most need of it Having therefore ended his business he thought he could not do better than to take up with her who was a Woman of sense brought up under the eye of her Mother no wanton Coquet that had an Estate and who would think her self honour'd in marrying a Person of Quality Her Father and Mother had several times taken occasion to let him understand that having no more Children they should be very glad to see her well settled and he believing that this would be a person very fit for his turn he breaks it to the Girl who was easily brought to be willing he was overjoyed to find her so favourably inclin'd and having now nothing to do but to gain her Father and Mother he mov'd it to them and had presently their consent As he had before made more haste than good speed he now resolved for once to take advice and Monsieur de Marillac being one of the most considerable of his Friends he was first acquainted with it My Father took a great deal of pains to reconcile him to a Match that seem'd dishonourable to the Family and to that end fail'd not to magnifie the Person of his Mistress her Behaviour her Breeding her Discretion not forgeting her Estate and the Honesty of her Parents and in short omitted nothing to remove any prejudice in his thoughts against it Monsieur de Marillac who was a Man of Honour and vext to see his Kinsman going to match with a Mâ—câ—â—nick told him he wondred he would run headlong upon such an affair in which he might perhaps find something to dislike that he yet knew not of that 't was not his wonder that the young Lady tho she had a good Estate was so willing because young Girls are all willing enough to be married but that her Parents who were Citizens and consequently had a natural aversion to a Country Gentleman should be so very forward seem'd to him to have some mystery in it that deserved to be enquir'd into and saving his respect for him said he while you think you are marrying a Maid what if she should chance to be a Widow Had it been any body but Mr. de Marillac my Father would never have born this discourse with any patience but having been born as it were with a respect for him he only reply'd that there was nothing to be fear'd of that sort and that he would venture it Monsieur de Marillac told him smiling That 't was his own business and if he had said any thing in it 't was purely for that he thought himself oblig'd to it not only as he was his Relation but also from the Friendship which had always been between the two Families The matter rested there and my Father resolved to go through with it notwithstanding all this good counsel There was in the Country a Cousin German of his a jolly old Fellow a Batchelour who had never been so fond of marrying as he and who design'd to leave his Estate to our Family My Father sends for him and the Old Gentleman before he would appear would needs have some fine Cloaths and talking to his Taylor about the occasion of his coming to Town that it was to the Wedding of his Cousin and Heir who was to be married to the Daughter of such a Merchant Bless me Sir said the Taylor What does he mean Is there no other Women in Paris This startled the Old Man and asking him why he talkt at that rate Why Sir says he she has had a Child by one of her Fathers Prentices but I should not have spoke of it Sir for it was but One and I suppose she is very honest â—ow How says the Old Gentleman why then 't is nothing with you here at Paris for a Maid to have a Child I don't say so Sir replied the Taylor and rather than a young Woman should lose her Reputation I was resolv'd never to have spoke of it but that 't is a thousand pities that an honest good Gentleman should be cheated for she not only continues her Debauchery but 't is come to that pass that there 's hardly a day comes over her head but she is to be seen at a certain place right against my House she disguises her self so that she fancies she is not to be known but she forgets that I have formerly dealt with her Father and know her well enough This discourse and the freedom and honesty of the Taylor very much surpriz'd our Cousin he sent presently for my Father and repeating this story askt him what he meant by medling with such a creature My Father lookt upon it all as Malice and Lyes but the Old Man seeing him so resolute told him in a rage that for his part he would not come to the Wedding and besides that would disinherit him if he proceeded any further in the matter Yet my Father slighting all his threatnings comes the same day and brings the Contract of Marriage for him to sign instead of which he snatcht it out of the Notarys hands and tore it in a thousand pieces and not content with that goes immediately to Monsieur de Marillac tells him the whole story and begs him to interpose his Authority to prevent so scandalous a thing Monsieur de Marillac stepping with him into his Coach they came together to my Father and told him That knowing how obstinate he was they did not come to desire him quite to break off the match but to persuade him to inform himself of the truth that perhaps these reports might be false but he must own that they ought not to be neglected that they only design'd to open his Eyes and if they could not make the thing plain to him he was at his Liberty that they desired but one thing of him which was that he would pretend extraordinary business oblig'd him to go to his House in the Country for a few days during which time they offer'd to discover the truth for him or if not they were content he should proceed This was too reasonable a request to be denied so my Father having taken leave of his Mistress for eight days upon his promise to return then without fail he went and lodg'd privately at the Taylors where he plac'd himself as Centinel to watch for what he hardly dar'd to see 't was but the next day that he very fairly saw his Lady muffled up in her Scarf going into the Bawdyhouse but not trusting his Eyes at that distance and through the Glass he goes down and throwing his Cloak over his Face he stalks up and down in the street till she should come out he knew her again well enough but as if he would fain believe it was not she he follow'd
Bois de Boulogue as I was returning from Versailles with my two Brothers that se defendendo I was oblig'd to draw as well as those that were with me and that nevertheless I had first endeavour'd to tell him the regard he ought to have had to the Kings Edicts and the danger of disobeying in such cases as this and being fill'd with a great deal of such stuff and having so much care taken of me without my help my justification was both short and easy I was still ignorant to whom I ow'd this obligation and tho I sometimes fancy'd it must be the Cardinal yet I could not think so long when I reflected that a man who had so much kindness for me should let me lye so long neglected in my misfortunes and would rather have told me how it was than send me a bare message not to fear Being however got out of Prison I went to throw my self at his Eminence's feet whom I told I would deal more sincerely with than I had done with the Parliament that I would honestly confess to him that I had broken the Kings Order but if I had been to be a Vagabond twice as long as I had been or to have lost my head upon a Scaffold I could never bear to hear him abus'd Have a care who hears you said he taking me up 't is I that have brought you out of this business tho no body knows of it and whereas I did send indeed for the Procurator General to make your Process it was only with design to save you if I did not inform you as much continu'd he 't was because I make no man Master of my secrets Bouteville and de Chappelle were executed but t'other day for the same thing and what would they have said of me said he if I had sav'd one of my own Servants when I but just before had taken off a Relation of one of the first Princes of the blood and two Gentlemen allied to the chief Families in France So obliging a discourse as this made me throw my self again at his feet and embracing his knees My Lord said I when shall I be so happy as to dye for so good a Master I must have liberty to sight against all that declare themselves his Enemies He was extreamly pleas'd to see me so zealous and he took so much delight in hearing me express my self in this manner that he thought not of raising me from his foot What he had told me of Bouteville and de Chappelle was very true but he did not tell me how he gratify'd his private grudge in executing the rigour of the Law upon them Bouteville being Father to the present Mareschal de Luxemburgh was Cousin to the Prince of Conde as he told me but to speak strictly to the Princess his Wife but that honour was sold him very dear You must know that the Duke D' Enguien eldest Son to the Prince of Conde having marry'd Madamoiselle de Bresse the Cardinal's Niece and his Father having been forc't against his Will to consent to that Match purely to save his life or at least his liberty his Son who knew how he was impos'd upon lookt upon his Marriage as a mark of his bondage to the Cardinals tyranny and from thence despising both the Relation and the Wife he reproacht her daily with a thousand reflections and not altogether without cause her Birth was considerable and she came of a very Ancient Family but the Duke D' Enguien having employ'd a man verst in Heraldry to search out the Original of her Family and he after turning it from side to side made his report whether 't was true or no that the House de Maille of which she was descended came by Basterdy from an Archbishop of Tours this was enough for that Duke not only to insult his Wife but also to be very sharp in reproaching the Cardinal and nothing being done but he had his Emissaries to inform him of it he was so mov'd at this that he only waited for an opportunity to show his resentment and 't was not long before had one Bouteville who happen'd to fight a Duel not only against the Kings Edict but against a particular order to himself was so closely pursued that he was apprehended before he could reach into Lorrain the Count de Chappelle his Cousin who was his Second and sled along with him was also taken and it being to do a despight to the House of Conde the Cardinal caus'd them to be executed by the Hands of the Common Hangman under pretence of Justice but indeed to satisfy his private revenge After I was thus restor'd into favour the Cardinal who lov'd me more than ever made me several gratifications and askt me If I had ne'r another Brother to prefer I told him I had two one to whom I had given the last Abbey which his Eminence was pleas'd to bestow on me but that for the other I did not desire to concern my self for him for having the misfortune to be accus'd of the death of three others I was unwilling to expose my self to the like reproach I told him however I had a Sister that past in the world for something handsome and intended to marry her to one of my Friends a Gentleman of Brettany and that I only waited for my Father and Mother-in-law's answer He hearkned to all this with a singular goodness and a Benefice falling near us which was in his Gift he gave it me without asking and I presented it as freely to my Brother who was already in Orders which open'd the mouth of my Mother-in-law afresh who complain'd now that one must have all and t'other none and that I ought rather to have given it to him that had nothing I e'n let her say what she wou'd and only waited for an answer to the business about my Sister which it was three months before they wou'd vouchsafe to grant me at last my Father having a suit at Law that brought him to Paris and being glad to make use of some friends of mine to sollicit for him he sent me a Note where I might find him I went to him immediately and after paying him my respects I askt him how it came about that I had not heard from him all this while 'T is long of your Mother answer'd he very ingenuously who believes you have a design to deceive us But Sir said I what do you believe of it In troth said he with the same freedom I know not what to think of it for when the Debate lyes between a Wife that a Man loves and a Son who has oblig'd him one has a difficult task to decide it You have no Obligation at all Sir to me said I but methinks you ought at least to do me a little more Justice I did not care to urge it any farther out of respect to him His Cause was against Monsieur de la Vieuville a Man from whom we have seen a
never promis'd her any thing nor I don't see that I am oblig'd to perform any thing The Prince reply'd that he knew that best himself indeed and that what he spoke was upon the common report that spread it about so to which the other having again answer'd the same thing he left him to dye in quiet All this while the War continu'd with great fury not only on the Frontiers with the Spaniards but also in the heart of the Kingdom and the weakness of the Chief Minister encourag'd such as were dispos'd to diminish if not to overthrow the regal Authority and the present form of Government in the Kingdom I don't pretend to reflect in saying this upon what the Parliament did but upon the Impudence of some particular persons who thouâ—â—t themselves at liberty in these times of publick â—â—â—straction to establish the peâ—ty Tyrannies they exercis'd in their own limits Indeed they had in every Province two or three of these little Princes for such they were in effect for the Kings orders were but laught at among them if they were not agreeable to their designs This was a great trouble to the Cardinal but more to the King who had a thousand times more courage and who was more nearly toucht in these practices than others but 't was his time to wink at all this and as young as he was he was extraordinary politick and chose rather not to reform an abuse tho he knew it to be so than to let it appear that it was too great for him to attempt in such an uncertain condition as things then stood In the mean time never was there such a prank play'd as was done now by a certain Coxcomb that had married one of my Relations and in whose case I had like to have been involv'd This Man call'd himself the Marquiss de Pransac he was a huge hulky fellow of himself but his pride swell'd him beyond all dimensions if he had any Nobility in his blood 't was only that he was Grandson to a President of Bourdeaux but since I am fallen upon his Genealogy I must give you a short history of his Great Grand-father He kept a Brandy-shop at Bourdeaux and made a figure so mean that no body reckon'd him to be worth above two thousand Franks In short he not only dwelt in a little nasty house but bought and sold privately in other Peoples names He had but one only Son who he had bred up well enough and above what 't was thought he could afford for not intending to make him a Brandy Merchant he sent him to the University This young fellow was a meer Thomas Diaforus that is just such another Blockhead as Moelier calls by that name in his Comedy or as we may say a very Bartholomew Cokes However he happens to see one day at Church one of the Presidents Daughters and falls desperately in love with her insomuch that but one sight of her brought him into the yellow Jaundice His Father who as I said had no more Children and knew himself to be richer than anybody thought was almost distracted to see him in such a condition And after a deal of pother to know what ail'd him at last with much ado got the Secret out of him Pshaw says the old man is that all Ne're trouble thy self I 'll warrant you I 'll get her for you and with that away he goes to her Father and demands her of him for his Son The President thought the little old fellow was mad and askt him who he was that he should come with such a compliment to him and guessing at the man by the figure he made which was very indifferent he was going to bid his Footmen kick him down Stairs The little man not at all daunted at the scornful treatment of the President and to come to the point askt him how much he could give his Daughter for let it be as much as it would he would give his Son three times as much in ready Money besides the refusal of such a place as his was which he had secur'd for him when he should be capable to manage it The President hearing him talk at this rate could not tell what to make of it and seeing nothing in him that lookt as if he were crazâ—d began not only to treat him civilly but to ask him as civilly if he was able to make good what he talk'd of The old man told him he was not very likely to be deceiv'd unless his Money would not go for 't was all in specie and taking him home with him he show'd him a great Iron Chest and in it above eight hundred thousand Franks all in Gold The Match was soon made up after such a sight as this and from this Conjunction sprung the Father of our Coxcomb I leave any one to judge whether I have done him wrong in giving him such a Title when they have heard his Story First tho he knew his own Original well enough yet his Coach would not please him unless it was adorn'd with a great many Coats of Arms so without any regard to the Coat that his Grand-father had taken up and which serv'd his Father well enough he picks out such Coats as he lik'd best and orders the Herald to quarter them with his own and to divide them into sixteen quarters the least of which belong'd to some Prince or other and withal gives a most glorious Livery that made all the Town stare at him The City of Paris like other great Cities never wants Sharpers who live by their wits at the price of other peoples follies One of these observing our Gallant and finding him ruuning stark mad after the vanity of Grandeur presents him with a very formal Genealogy by which he made it out as clear as the Sun that he was descended in a direct male-line from the Family De Dreux a younger branch of the Blood Royal and that as such he had a right to bear in his first and fourth quarter the arms of France and in the second and third those of Dreux He was overjoy'd with his discovery and I happening to be then at his House he askt me what I thought of it I found he was too well pleas'd with it for me to contradict it for I had no mind to disoblige him So I having given my opinion in his own sence I made him so compleat a Fool as that he immediately sends for his Coach-makerâ— bespeaks a new rich Coach giving him the Arms that he would have set upon it he chang'd also his Plate and made the same Coat of Arms be engraven upon that and to omit nothing that might add to the Lustre of his Family in some Writings he had making he caus'd himself to be stil'd The most Serene Prince L. ... de Dreux adding however the Surname of Rhedon which was his true name but which he intended to drop in process of time or to attribute it to
me he had found one of the Ruffians I thought this was only a trick to get more Money and so I told him if he did not get him about his business I should have him soundly kick'd but he assuring me the thing was true told me he askt me for nothing till he had deliver'd the fellow into my hands and provided I would then give him ten Pistoles he would bring me to the place where he was that in the mean time my Nephew should go before where he should appoint to see that he would not deceive me and that he would order it so as to help him to a sight of the man and if it was he he should be provided with people ready to secure him This Proposal was so fair that I could not refuse it but I agreed to all his conditions and promis'd him more than he demanded So taking my Nephew along with him he plac'd him in a Chamber up four pair of stairs in la Rue de la Mortelliere where on the other side of the street just over against him the person lodg'd whom he meant he plac'd my Nephew in ambuscade behind the Window telling him he should soon see him come to his Window and that he should not have time to escape In short in a moments time he came to the Window as he had said with a Woman who betray'd him and my Nephew having viewâ—d him very exactly was so well satisfy'd that this was one of the persons that assaulted him that he sent to me to come on with the Officers which I immediately did with all expedition First I posted three or four men at the corner of the street and follow'd my Nephew with the rest who would needs be in the action himself as being most concern'd We presently enâ—red the Chamber he had taken notice of but found no body there for he being at the Window when we came to the door fled to a back room the Woman whom we had set to watch made a sign to us where he was hid and there we found him but he having fastned all the Bolts we were forc'd to break the door open He put himself at first into a posture of defence and firâ—d a Pistol among us but hurt no body but throwing our selves in upon him we took him and carry'd him into the Chatelet My Nephew appear'd to prosecute him and we had very good proof of the assault for it was made in the open day and in one of the most publick streets of Paris but when they came to be brought face to face with the Prisoner truly there was but one would be positive that he was the man the other saying 't was too long ago to remember particular faces However this was half a proof and I did not doubt but they would put him to the torture upon that as is usual and I hop'd so the rather because he seem'd a scoundrel kind of a fellow that had not above two years ago run away from his Colours But as sorry a Wretch as he was he had good friends who sollicited for him very hard under-hand among whom Monsieur Genou was one who having a great interest in the Parliament all we could obtain was that he should remain in Prison three months longer to see if we could bring any further witness to inform them more fully so it lay upon us to use our endeavour for after that time if none appear'd he would be at liberty But what could we do more than we had done So the three months run out and we being not able to make any further discovery had the pleasure after a great deal of Money spent in the prosecution to have our Process dismist out of the Court. I attribute this disappointment to the sollicitation of Mr. Genou and I believe I am in the right In the mean time it was no very hard matter to find out what made him so willing to appear against us for I had done just the same thing in an affair that he had or at least Vedeau de Grammont his Kinsman against a certain Lady whose Father was my very good friend but here lay the difference between my management and his that he sav'd a man that deserv'd to be broken on the Wheel and I did nothing but what every honest man ought to do and to the end the Reader may not think I say more of my self than is my due I will be judg'd by all that hear the story which was as follows The season inviting me to take the air in the Country I left Paris with an intent to go and see a Gentleman one of my Relations call'd Mere for whom I had lately done a particular piece of service in a difference he had with one Domanchin who had been a Notary but now was become a noted Usurer In short this subtile old Fox had cheated him at least of fifty thousand Crowns The Gentleman having been put to great charges on account of other people particularly being to pay for hunting Equipage for Mr. de Vendosme he had been quite ruin'd if he had been forc'd to pay all that this fellow demanded of him he apply'd himself to me to help him to adjust this affair and having found out his Adversary I got him a Discharge for a very small sum more than what was really owing and abundantly short of the vast sum he pretended to This person thinking himself under great obligation to me had a long time invited me to come and see him and the weather being so pleasant as I said I had a mind to divert my self I got on Horseback by break of day and arriv'd the same night at his house he made me extraordinary welcome and I believe I should have been so if I had staid longer but as I never lov'd the Country for any long time together and also having a mind to make another visit not far from his House I took my leave of him My other visit was to Monsieur Herve Counsellor of the Great Chamber and one of my very good friends who I was told was at Monsieur Salle's House who had marry'd his Daughter so I went directly to his House but when I came to the Castle I understood that they were neither of them at home and that no body was within but Madam Salle I having had the honour of acquaintance with her at her Father's alighted to go and pay my respects to her I had not been with her above half an hour but they brought her word that some of Monsieur de Vedeau de Grammont's Footmen whose Lands adjoyn'd to theirs were a fishing in the Motes Assoon as she heard it she chang'd colour and turning to me Sir said she you are too much a friend to my Father to suffer them to put such an affront upon me and with those words she rises up in a heat and going out of the room she runs herself to defend her right I had no thoughts of leaving her
not make so much noise was that of one of the Queens Maids of Honour whose name was Madamoiselle de Guerchi to whom fell out this very unhappy adventure I should have told you that being with Child by the Duke de Viâ—ry he ruin'd her so unfortunately by endeavouring to hide her disgrace with the Death of the Infant and there happen'd on this occasion so false a step taken by her self that she deserv'd to have Stones thrown at her more than Madam d' Aiguillon The Queen lov'd her above all the rest and this happen'd to her at a time when the Queen being busy about some certain private affairs had plac'd her at the Closet door with order to let no body come in but such as she had nam'd It happen'd as she stood here Monsieur de Vic came up to the door and making an offer to go in and she not knowing his face he being newly come from the Army she ask'd him his Name which he told her immediately Now there being but little difference in the French between his Name and a certain thing which it is not very decent to mention she stept back in a paâ—sion and flung the Door against him The Queen who by accident had her Eyes that way observing the disorder she was in askt her what was the matter But she being surpriz'd only told her that 't was an insolent fellow and that she durst not tell her Majesty what it was he said The Queen wondring what should so much disturb her and make her colour so red call'd her to her and absolutely commanded her to tell her what it was that if it was a thing not fit to be spoken in plains terms she might disguise it but so as to let her know the meaning of it which would not be difficult to do by one that had so much wit as she had Madamoiselle de Guerchi seeing the Queen had given her an Expedient resolv'd to tell her but did it with so ill a grace that if she had nam'd the thing at length it could not have been worse She said then that having askt the Gentleman his name he had told her the name of a thing with which they say they get Children Mr. de Guiâ—auâ— Captain of the Queens Guards who stood by fell out a laughing as if he would have burst and when he had a little recover'd himself Madam said he to the Queen I 'm confident 't was Monsieur de Vic who frighted this Lady for he came from Flanders but last night but the best of the jest was that the Lady affirmed still she was not mistaken but that it was he that chang'd one letter of the name tho she was not so to be deceiv'd The Gentleman who I went to visit at Melun was call'd the Count de la Chapelle Gantier a person of a great deal of honour and whose Father was my particular Friend he was a sworn Enemy to another Gentleman that liv'd hard by call'd the Viscount de Melun or rather L' Arbatjete for he did not belong to the honourable Family of Melun of whom the late Constable de Melun and the present Princes d' Espinois are descended he was far enough from such a Noble Original having more Men of the Gown than of the Sword in his Family and yet if you would believe him Messieurs de Chatillon are not of a better Descent than he The Enmity between these Gentleman began upon this ground that the Father of one had kill'd the Father of the other a quarrel so reasonable that no body ever attempted to reconcile them My Friend was the Party offended it being his Father who had the misfortune to be kill'd by the other since which if he had but heard his name mention'd he would have turn'd pale and shook from head to foot A Person of Quality to whom I am very much oblig'd desir'd me when I went from Paris to attempt the mitiagating of this Hatred by making a Proposal of Marriage to my Friend with Melun's Sister but I desir'd to be excus'd for that this was to do a great injury to the Count de la Chapelle who I knew to be more of a Gentleman than to marry the Daughter of his Father's Murtherer and that in short I would never undertake such an Errand for I knew if I should it would be to no purpose The Count de Melun also was a Man of so much ill nature that instead of endeavouring by his carriage to make my Friend forget the Grudge that was between the Families as he ought to have done he took all occasions to increase it He was very often drunk and when he had a Glass or two of Wine in his head he was so abusive to my Friend that if the Laws against Quarrels and Duels had not been so severe he had been every day in danger of having his Throat cut This was a crime in any man but much more inexcusable in the Son of a man who had already imbru'd his hands in the blood of my Friendâ—s Father besides the King had done as much as was possible to prevent his being us'd in this manner for he pardon'd his Father but upon this condition that neither he nor any of his after him should come into the Company or place where any of the deceased's Children should â—e and that if at any time any of those should come into Company where he was or any of his Children they should be oblig'd immediately to quit the place which command of the Kings every one allow'd to be very just But the Viscount de Melun instead of conforming himself to this Order as his Father had done us'd him as I have been telling you Insomuch that the first thing my Friend told me of at my coming to see him was that he could endure it no longer at the same time he told me at large the grounds of his disgust which I could not deny but to be very reasonable However I endeavour'd to put the best face on them I could because I would not enflame him who I perceiv'd was already disturb'd enough and at the same time I told him he could not have the least quarrel with him without endangering himself extreamly for the same Order of the Kings which commanded Melun to keep out of his sight commanded him also to bear his Adversary no malice I told him that he being the party aggriev'd every body would conclude him to have been the Agressor that in his circumstances he ought to use more caution a thousand times than another having a good Estate to lose and therefore ought to consider very well before he did any thing of that nature that I did not deny but 't was a very hard case for any Gentleman to be forc'd to bear so much every day but that the least evil is always to be chosen that there was Melun and his Gang desir'd nothing more than to have us take some wrong step which they might
her to her Faâ—â—ers door and confirm'd by her going in there he was strangely confounded but yet imagining that possibly there might be some other family in that house he still justify'd her in his thoughts till he should be inform'd how it was But the Neighbours having satisfy'd him of the contrary as also the Taylor he was resolv'd not to be convinc'd unless he could see even what she did there with his own eyes To which purpose he goes himself to that honest place where he soon got acquaintance and for his Money they brought him a Girl he would not ask for another for fear of giving suspicion but paid her very generously and so from that time past for one of their best Customers The next day he came again and having desir'd them to show him something that was extraordinary they brought him the person he wisht for or fear'd rather for at the sight of her he was so toucht as made him cry like a Child and going out without speaking one word to her took Horse and rode home to his own house without seeing so much as Monsieur De Marillac But it is not so easie a thing to get out of the hands of the Parisians and my Father having had the discretion notwithstanding all that had been said to him to sign the Contract they fetcht him back sore against his will to clear himself of the Ecclesiastical Court where they had obtain'd a Sentence against him for two thousand Franks with Damages and Interest He never paid any thing in his life with so ill a will wherefore he made an Appeal to the Parliament and consulted with his Lawyers seeing he was like to be cast but all this did but encrease both his sorrow and his debt for the same trick that had helpt him before undid him now and instead of his fine of two thousand Franks he was forced to pay three thousand Tho he was incorrigible after the first mischance every body thought that on the addition of this adventure he had done with the thoughts of marrying But it being decreed as I said that I 〈◊〉 have a Mother-in-law and that one as bad as possible he married a Person of Quality in the Country who so master'd his temper that she was no sooner come home but I was turn'd out of doors and my Nurse too I was carried back to Olinville on purpose as I suppose that as that place had been fatal to my Mother it might be no better to me I was kept there a whole year before my Nurse ever heard a word from my Father tho she had writ several Letters to him and her Husband had gone himself to his House but at last one of his Carters passing near the Town sent to tell my Nurse that he had order to leave with her about twelve Bushels of Wheat As if that had been enough to satisfie her for my keeping and to avoid being askt for Money they let me lye there another whole year without enquiring whether I was alive or dead The poor people with whom I was notwithstanding all this us'd me like their own Child whether taken with the little diversions of my behaviour or because they had no Children themselves I know not for they could have no other reason for it My Father in the mean time forgot me with less difficulty for that he had one Son already by my Mother-in-law and she was ready to lye down of another yet he could not avoid being often askt by the Neighbours what was become of me my Mother had her answer readier than my Father who was something puzzl'd with these questions and would reply briskly that I was well but they did not fetch me home because I should not bring the memory of my Mother into his mind none but Sots could be wheedl'd with such an answer and my Mothers Relations living above eighty Leagues off and having no body to regard me I continu'd three years longer with my Nurse and I believe should have been there still had it not been for Monsieur de Marillac who seeing me at Mass at Olinville asked notwithstanding the poor plight I was in if I was not his Cousin R's Son I had always a good heart and when I found my Nurse would not answer for me I spoke boldly to Monsieur de Marillac and told him that I was indeed the Son of Monsieur L. C. De Rochefort but that it had been my misfortune never to have seen him that I remembred my answer pleas'd him tho it was nothing but what I had learnt by hearing my Nurse say so however being a brisk Boy and if I may say it genteel enough he made one of his Pages lead me to his Castle where he order'd me to be cloath'd suitable to my quality and having kept me there till he was oblig'd to return to Paris he sent his Steward with me to my Father to whom he writ that I began now to be of an age in which he ought to take more care of me My Father receiv'd me because he could not help it but much against his will I am sure for he used me so roughly the very day I came to him that as young as I was I could plainly see he did not much care for me if I had dar'd I would have askt him the reason of it and leave also to return to my Nurse where I had received quite contrary usage but being afraid to open my mouth I stood in a corner as if I had not belong'd to the Family while they carest and fondled one of her Children tho he was as mangy and scabby as a Hound this madded me intolerably for being now almost six years old and beginning to have some knowledge of matters I was ready to burst with spleen I liv'd thus however about a year and a half eating with the Footmen having no countenance from any body but from our Curate who was a very good man I pray'd him to teach me to read for they never thought of putting me to School and the Curate was so pleas'd with my motion coming from my self that he took a great deal of pains with me insomuch that in three or four months I could read perfectly in any sort of Books Every day my Mother-in-law plagu'd me with one thing or another and not only did me all the mischief she could but told an hundred Lies of me to my Father to set him against me and my Father who did not much care for me believ'd all she said and would often beat me without knowing for what which made me so desperate that I resolved to poyson my self There was a Weed in the Garden which they had often told me was poison I took some of it and after saying my Prayers I eat enough to have kill'd me twice over if I had not happily wanted wit to know Hemlock from another Herb or as I have often thought that I was guided even by a Miracle to mistake
was above a fortnight after this before his Eminence took any more notice of it and thinking it not proper to importune him every day I gave my attendance constantly without speaking a word more to him of it but at last he took me into his Closet and opening a little Cabinet Thou askest me said he for subsistence and 't is but reasonable thou shouldst have it so pulling out a small Parchment ty'd with little Ribbons he put it into my hands Here said he there is a thousand Crowns a year upon the Bank of Lions I think thou art so ill a Husband that thou art not fit to be trusted with it but as it comes in annually You may easily guess how overjoy'd I was at this noble present I was better pleas'd with it than if he had given me twenty thousand Crowns for in short I knew my own humour and was not ignorant tho I could not help it that I was not capable of laying up a penny This created me a great deal of envy in the Family when it was known how generous his Eminence had been to me and the other Servants mutter'd at it that all the kindness was shown to the new comers while the old standers were neglected but all this was nothing to the noise and out-crys of my Mother-in-law She told about that it was in vain to think to throw dust in her eyes that my ill nature would appear too plain whatever disguise I put upon it but that it had never appear'd better than on this occasion when I pretended to have receiv'd a Present from the Cardinal to colour my design of cheating my lawful Heirs That I had put the Money into the Bank my self and that I so conceal'd whatever I got with the same design My Father coming up to Paris I complain'd to him of this conduct of hers but he poor man was so weak and so cow'd by his Wife that 't was to no more purpose to speak to him than to run ones head against the Wall We were very much at Ruel where the Cardinal had a most delicious Seat and it being a very fine Country for sport which I extreamly lov'd I never thought the time long we spent there There was one Beaumont who they nick-nam'd the Dragon the Captain of St. Germain and we being intimate friends he us'd to call me out often to hunt with him and one day among the rest having run down a Deer in the Forrest after the Sport was over he would needs have me with him to see a little piece of Gallantry that he kept at a by-house out of the road I excus'd my self for that time and having left him he went all alone without so much as a Valet as he came back he meets a Country Gentlemans man with a Fusee on his shoulder and having askt him if he did not know that that was forbidden the Fellow seeing him all alone answer'd Yes that he did but he had a mind to kill a Hare and what then Beaumont a little stirr'd with this answer askt him if he knew who he spoke to Know you said the Rogue insolently Yes very well you are markt plain enough any body may know you Beaumont you must understand had but one Eye and therefore was toucht to the quick with this impudent answer but seeing the fellow upon his guard he blew his Horn that if any body had been near him they might come to his assistance upon which the fellow who was no Fool retir'd immediately and got away safe to his Masters house where I happen'd to be just at that time he told us not a word of what had happen'd to him if he had we could have made it up at first with a word speaking but as we were at Table and he newly gone down into the Kitchin we heard a noise in the Court which made us rise to see what was the matter I was surpriz'd as well as the Master of the House to see the Yard full of Blue Coats being a party of the Guards that Beaumont had sent The fellow ignorantly came out to them himself and askt them their business who not knowing his face enquir'd for him by his own name which was enough to tell him their errand So he took no notice at all but told them he would go in and call him Instead of which he went and laid himself all along upon a beam which was but that morning put up in a house his Master was building and he lay so that 't was impossible to see him in the mean time the Gentleman taking this for a great affront that these men should come thus into his house was just going to discharge a Fusee at them if I had not stopt him gravely by telling him that the less passion the less mischief always and stepping up to the Guards who all knew me I askt them what was the matter they told me the whole story as I have related it so having desir'd them not to press into the house till I came to them again I went and told the Master and propos'd that he would let one of the Guards go in with me to convince them that the Servant was not in the house I had a great deal of difficulty to bring him to this but having told him the consequences of a refusal he was prevail'd on in the mean time the Guards having beset the house so that they were sure he could no way escape they were for searching every corner and there was not a nook nor a hole but they pry'd into but finding 't was all in vain and the fellow was not to be found they concluded nothing less than that he was beholding to the Devil to convey him away The Gentleman knew no more what was become of him than they till a good while after they were all gone and the coast clear that he saw him creeping down from the beam When the fellow understood the danger he had been in he did not think it convenient to trust himself any longer there but askt leave of his Master to go home to his own friends who liv'd ten or twelve Leagues beyond Paris when he came home he found his Father sick of a violent Feaver but expressing a great deal of joy to see his Son before his death The old man being poor was but meanly lookt after in his illness and being as it were left alone he call'd his Son to give him some drink which the fellow did once or twice but the old man calling very often and he being too lazy to attend him hâ— brings the Pitcher and setting it by him bad him help himself this was a heart-breaking to the poor dying man and reproaching him for his unnatural behaviour this Rascal takes up the Pitcher and pours it all upon his Father telling him he might drink his belly full if he was so thirsty After so barbarous an action he runs away to Paris and going the next day to
the Palace he knocks before he was aware at the President Segâ—iers which rudeness put the President into such a passion that he order'd his Officers to put him in Prison and it being the custom to examine such as are committed for any insolences in the streets they began to ask him the usual questions in such cases when finding him faltring in his discourse and giving but a lame account of himself and whether he had a hanging look or which is most likely the Vengeance of Heaven pursu'd him for the horrid crime he had committed the Judges order'd enquiry to be made at the Town where he said he was born the Officer who was sent found his Father dead but he had told so many People of the inhuman action of his Son that the whole Town came in against him the Officer having made this report and due proceedings being made thereon they sentenc'd him to be hang'd he confest at the Gallows several unheard of crimes which had they been known before he would have been broken alive upon the wheel This was without doubt a good lesson to all those who flatter themselves with hopes of escaping divine vengeance which tho it had permitted this man to go unpunisht for many great crimes brought him at last to publick shame for a trifle I had as I said obtain'd an Ensign in the Guards for my Brother who had been at two or three Sieges which had been made that Campagne and the Cardinal being desirous to know how he had behav'd himself enquir'd of the Mareschal de Grammont who came one morning to make his Court to him the Valet who was in waiting at that time told me of it and that the Mareschal made answer that he was a very brisk young fellow I took my measures from this to do something yet better for him but being asham'd to be always asking I went this way to work we had yet a Brother whom the Cardinal had not seen who began now to be of age fit to go into the Army and was a very compleat young Lad I presented him to the Cardinal and askt him as I us'd to do of the others how his Eminence pleas'd I should dispose of him the Cardinal charm'd with the sight of him told me I ought to be very well satisfy'd to have a Brother of his shape and meen My Lord said I at the same time an Ensign of the Guards would sit very well on such a Gentleman as he is like to make and a Lieutenancy on his Brother and since it happens that there is such a Vacancy now in the same Company if your Eminence would please to bestow it on him I would say if I durst that he will not be wanting in his Duty or Courage for the Kings Service when there shall be opportunity He consider'd a while of what I said and then return'd upon me You have a mind to bring me and Monsieur d' Espernon together by the Ears don't you know he will let no body encroach upon his Office and that t'other day he would needs quarrel with the King for but offering to give away a Company in the Guards which belong'd to him My Lord said I smiling if he quarrels with your Eminence here is three Brothers of us will be your Seconds and the rest as they grow up shall all engage on your side Thou spaekest fair says the Cardinal but go to him from me and tell him he will oblige me in gratifying you I did not fail to return him thanks for so considerable a favour and going immediately to Monsieur d' Espernon he was pleas'd to tell me that I needed not his Eminences Recommendation for so small a matter which I should have commanded from him at a word from my self Certainly the bounty of my Master the Cardinal was without example and all my trouble was that I was not able to make any suitable return for so many obligations I sought however as much as it was possible for opportunities to express my gratitude and being one day drinking with several Gentlemen one of them that was an Englishman began to reflect upon the Cardinal whether it was that the Wine was gotten into his head and so talkt he knew not what or that he had some private malice against him I know not but I desir'd him very civilly to speak in other language of my Master unless he resolv'd to disoblige me but he talking the more reproachfully for my taking notice of it I lost all patience at that and taking up a Plate I threw it at his head he was presently for drawing out his Sword but I was ready for him so he lost his design which was to have surpriz'd me before I could have drawn our Friends stepping in prevented our fighting for that time and endeavour'd to reconcile us but it was impossible to bring him to any thing for going out he made a motion to me to wait upon him Every one of the Company offer'd me their service but I thankt them and told them I saw no occasion to fear however two of them would not leave me till they saw me at my Lodgings that if we had met him who had also two friends who went out with him we might have been upon equal terms but we saw no body tho we went the direct way on purpose The next morning before I was up my Valet de Chambre came and told me there was one wanted to speak with me I presently imagin'd it was from the Gentleman and bid him let him in and desir'd him to sit down by my bed side I knew him immediately to be one of those two persons that went out with him so making a sign to him to say nothing of his business till I had sent my man out of the way I held him in discourse of one thing or another as if we had been very well acquainted till I made an errand to send away my man and then he made me his compliment which was thus That I had affronted his Friend who was a Person of Quality and that nothing but my life could repair the injury I had offer'd him That he waited for me with one of his friends not reckoning himself so that I must bring two of mine along with me to entertain them There was nothing in all his compliment which troubled me but that I should involve any body in my quarrel I could not tell who to think on a good while but immediately recollecting that I had two Brothers who had some right to the quarrel as having so greatly shar'd of the Cardinals bounty I resolv'd to seek no further so I sent for them and taking them with me towards the Bois de Boulogne which was the place appointed where we found our Adversaries ready we immediately drew and fell to it My younger Brother was wounded the first Pass and tho it was a very dangerous thrust yet he at the same time disarm'd and wounded his man I
and was going to casheer him yet on second thoughts she durst not venture to do so for fear he should return into France and give the Queen an account what a life she led and of a thousand intreagues she had been concern'd in against her Majesty and apprehending too that he would sacrifice her to the Mareschal de Schomberg's Lady who after having resisted sollicitations from the King himself yet as report went did not stick to admit to her arms so pitiful a Fellow as this The Comte de ..... who was jealous of la Porte was surpriz'd that after all this the Dutchess still carry'd it but coldly to him and did not throw off la Porte as he expected and to free himself from a Rival was resolv'd to poison him but la Porte who knew not only the humour of the Spaniards but was also sensible of the resentment of the Dutchess kept himself upon his Guard and would not eat or drink but at his own house and continu'd to do thus till he return'd into France which caution of his in all probability was the saving of his life During all these Intreagues the King declin'd so in his health that 't was plain to all the world he could not live long and Madam de Chevreuse having so much influence upon the Queen attended with impatience for the news of his death not only that she might be recall'd to Court but not questioning the raising of her fortune wherefore to oblige the Queen and fix her self in her Majestys opinion she resolv'd to effect that by her own interest which the Queen had attempted to do by an underhand treaty with la Porte but fearing that as long as la Porte was with her the Comte de ..... would never heartily engage in her design she concerted matters with la Porte and agreed with him that he should return into France to manage her part with the Queen by which means tho not without regret he consented to leave her to his Rival in hopes of advancing his Fortune Indeed the promise they had made him of being Page to the King had so gain'd upon him that he slighted every thing for it so that as soon as ever he came to Paris he went away to the Queen whom he told that not being able to succeed in his negotiation for her Service Madam de Chevreuse had undertaken it and would doubtless perform it better than he could have done The Queen who had such confidence in the Cardinal as we before noted having acquainted him with this instead of approving of it he was exceedingly troubled at it and told the Queen she was going to ruine her self for if the King should come to discover what had past she was undone his aversion to Madam de Chevreuse being invincible that 't was well enough to entertain la Porte because he was lookt upon as a Person out of favour and therefore would not be suspected and might some time or other be of use to them but for Madam de Chevreuse it was neither safe to hold any correspondence with her nor could she be any way serviceable at this time The Queen who knew this to be very true was the easier to be perswaded so they sent Madam de Chevreuse word that they were very much oblig'd to her for the pains she had taken but that in the present posture of affairs they did not think fit to proceed in those measures any further In the mean time the Cardinal set la Porte at work upon the Queen to lessen her esteem for Madam de Chevreuse and made that service the further condition of the preferment they had promised him which nevertheless they delay'd till after the Kings death and then gave it him as if it had been at the intercession of Madam de Chevreuse who as cunning a Woman as she might be otherways was made a property in this case to take that for a favour done on her account that was the reward of his Treason in betraying her In the mean time 't was a Master-piece of Policy in the Cardinal after having put by the Queen from those methods she had taken so much to her advantage to find out other ways to secure the Regency to her He fear'd Monsieur Desnoirs most who was Secretary for the War and would have been very glad to have him remov'd and yet made use of him to make the proposal to the King and he had two designs in so doing first if the King consented to make the Queen Regent then he had effectually oblig'd her as being the first contriver of it but if the King should resent it ill and fly ouâ— into a passion at it then 't would disgrace his Adversary Monsieur Desnoirs was such a Fool as to be prevail'd on to engage in this affair but knowing that 't would be a difficult thing he set upon the Kings weak side that is he engag'd his Confessor in the matter who represented to him that having in probability not long to live he ought to think of settling his Conscience that nothing was so much requir'd of us at our going out of this World as forgiving our Enemies and that he ought now to forget all the discontent that had been between him and the Queen that he had already recall'd to Court those whom he had suspected on her account that nothing remain'd now but to give her some Testimonies of his reconciliation to her that the present circumstance offerr'd him one which was to make her Guardian of her Children a thing so naturally her right that the Law excluded all other Relations from pretending to it That if he did otherwise 't would look as if he had still some reserve on his mind and that nothing was so dangerous as to equivocate with his Conscience The Confessor was very ready to go upon this foolish Errand whether that he thought himself oblig'd to it by his Office or that he thought to do a piece of Service to Monsieur Desnoirs but he was immediately casheer'd for his pains and the King coming to know afterwards that this came from Monsieur Desnoirs he serv'd him in the same manner giving his Office of Secretary to Monsieur le Tellier who is now Chancellour of France The Fortune of this Monsieur le Tellier and the Marquis de Louvois his Son being so strangely great that they seem to equal that of Soveraign Princes if not to exceed them I shall speak a word to it to demonstrate that where Merit is really the foundation there is no structur can be too great to build upon it Monsieur le Tellier's Father was one of the Long Robe and brought up his Son in the same Profession and having made him capable of business he had a mind to get him the Office of the Kings Procuret de Chatelet which is a thing independent from any of the other Courts and very considerable He that sold it having several Customers about it preferr'd
him to them all on condition he should pay the Money down at a certain time which was very short But wanting 10000 Crowns to make up the sum he had like to have lost it when Monsieur de Pelletier who had an Office in the same Court lent him the Money so that all obstacles being remov'd he entred upon the place and behav'd himself with so much reputation that he was lookt upon as a Man that had not his fellow for wisdom but all this did not prevent a very odd accident befalling him Being one day riding thro the Town there happen'd some Tumult in the Streets and his Office being a Magistrate obliging him to take notice of it The Grooms of the Kings Horses laid hold of his Bridle and not knowing who he was they carry'd him with them into the Great Stable but the Querrys who knew him well enough made their excuse and made the Grooms ask his Pardon he was so good humour'd that he made no complaint of this violence which if he had might have brought them into a great deal of trouble In the mean time Monsieur de Bouillon having some publick business with him and finding him to be a Man of a prodigious capacity he perswaded him to resign his Office and to come into the Council 'T was by doing this that he began to make himself known to my Master whom I have often heard speak of him very much to his advantage when he appear'd at the Bar he met with all the marks of esteem that use to be given to Persons of his Merit and at last was preferr'd to be Secretary of State as I have mentioned before but it was upon condition nevertheless that he should pay Monsieur Desnoirs 400000 Franks which he sent to him accordingly but he refus'd them expecting that if any sudden Change should happen at Court he might get into his place again So Monsieur de Tellier had his Money again and Monsieur Desnoirs dying quickly after the Cardinal Mazarin with the consent of the Queen Mother gave him this sum excluding the Heirs of Desnoirs this and such like Obligations fixt him in their Interests and he gave good marks of his Ability in the nice occasions which happen'd about that time the Civil War being just then broke out in all which he continu'd firm in the Interest of the Queen Mother and Cardinal Mazarin whom he always look'd upon as his Benefactor After the Cardinal Mazarin's Death he so gain'd upon the young King who had wit enough to distinguish who serv'd him faithfully and who not that the same reasons which oblig'd him to value Monsieur de Tellier oblig'd him at the same time to apprehend Monsieur de Ponquet There had been some difference between these two which made People think that Monsieur de Tellier did contribute underhand to his disgrace but to let the world see how they were mistaken he never so much as sollicited the King or meddled with the process either of which if he had done the other had undoubtedly been lost The King had no prime Minister at all after the Death of Cardinal Mazarin but if any body could pretend to that place it was without doubt Monsieur de Tellier he had two Sons and one Daughter The Daughter is married to the Marquis de Villequier who is now Duke d' Aumont for his Sons he bred up the Eldest who is the Marquis de Louvois to Business and the youngest to the Church and who is now Coadjutor to the Arch-bishoprick of Rhiems under Cardinal Antoine by which means he is certain to be one time or other Duke and Peer of France and the other had the assurance of being Secretary of State after his Father His great Services are so fresh in the memory of all Men that 't is needless to mention them all the great transactions of Europe were form'd in his head and he manages the place at this day with as much reputation as my Master did in his time which is enough for any man to say in his Commendation only I must be allow'd to make this difference between the present time and the days past that my Master was so far from being seconded by a vigorous young King that he had none oppos'd his directions more than him who he endeavour'd to serve most whereas his present Majesty is the first a Horseback to execute those Designs that have been projected in his Cabinet However it was the Services both of the Father and the Son could not be better rewarded than they are now The Father is Chancellor of France the greatest honour that can be conferr'd upon the Gown and who is the leading Man both at Court and on the Bench The Son is Secretary of State chief Minister and in a word the Person on whom the King relies in matters of the greatest moment whether for Peace or War In the mean time I must not forget one Circumstance which proves the gratitude of both the Father and the Son Monsieur Colbert who had the Administration of the Finances being dead about two or three years ago they procur'd his place for the Son of Mr. Pellitier whom we have spoken of as a recompence for the favour they had receiv'd from his Father I have been a little larger than ordinary upon the rise and fortune of the Chancellor and the Marquis de Louvois his Son 't will be acknowledg'd not to be so remote as may be thought being to relate in what follows many great Actions which have past under their Ministry and I ought to give an Idea of those which manag'd the Government to shew that such Master-pieces of Policy could not proceed from any Persons but such as were perfectly verst in the nicest affairs of State But to return to my own Case ever since I refus'd the Negotiation at Brussels I was frown'd upon every where and was so slighted by the Queen and the Minister that I resolv'd to retire The King in the mean time having exil'd Monsieur Desnoirs for having but offer'd to speak in favour of the Queen did not however proceed with the same vigor against Cardinal Mazarin nor Chavigny who had espous'd her Interests 'T is true they did it genteely and instead of proposing it downright to the King to make her Regent they only advis'd him while he was in a condition to do it to settle his Affairs as he pleas'd they should be manag'd after his Death that the Infancy of his Children requir'd this at his hands at least he would have this satisfaction at his Death to know what should become of them whereas if he omitted it they would be expos'd to strange unforeseen Accidents The King could not deny but what they said was highly reasonable but he met with a great many invincible difficulties assoon as ever he went about this settlement he could think of no body to leave the Government of his Children to but the Queen or the D. of Orleans
Cardinal de Rets the Duke de Rohan and to Chavigny They all in a surprize come to the Duke of Orleans and ask him what in the Name of God he design'd to do to sign such an Agreement telling him that all the advantage was on the Prince de Conde's side who had not only been addrest to to negotiate with but to whom here were the greatest Concessions made That he was already possest of Offices enough in the Kingdom without suffering him thus to ingross all That his Ambition was insatiate tho he endeavour'd to palliate it That the care he took of the Interâ—st of his Creatures pâ—oceeded not out of any good Nature he had to oblige them but out of the Necessity which he foresaw he might one day or other have of their Service That he himself was concern'd more than any one to hinder this increase of the Prince de Conde's power for after himself he was next Heir to the Crown That if he took not some speedy course to suppress his greatness 't wou'd be soon too late In short That they pray'd him to consider that on the concluding or breaking off of this Treaty depended the Prosperity of the State the Safety of his own Person and of the whole Nation But it was in other Terms that they spoke of this Treaty to the Dutchess of Orleans They represented to her that the design of the Prince of Conde was to possess himself of the Crown that in the Reputation he was with the People for his Victories his Usurpation would be less odious if not altogether agreeable that after which her Husband would certainly be confin'd to a Cloister if he were not kept a Prisoner all his Life in some other place that for her self she was not to expect a better fare than to live all her days in a Convent and it would hardly escape 'em but they would dispute the legitimacy of her Children because her Marriage had never been approv'd of but by force That the only remedy she had to prevent all these misfortunes was to break off the Treaty while they on their part did all that lay in their power to disengage the Duke her Husband from a person he had so much reason to suspect That she was particularly concern'd to take this care of him because he lov'd her tenderly of which he had given her sufficient proofs That they would not pretend to give her Instructions but if they might urge it without violating their respect to her they would then say that she ought to employ all her Charms to accomplish this design That the Bed was the most proper place to set upon one of her Husbands disposition that they had nothing more to say but to with her to make use of it as they were sensible she could do with success On this occasion these arguments wrought but too effectually on both of them They were hardly ever in private together that they had any other discourse and the Dutchess perceiving her Husband inclinable to receive all the impâ—essions with which she had been prepossest pusht on the affair to that extremity that the Treaty was broke off without so much as any tolerable reason given by the Duke of Orleans The Prince of Conde than saw his Error in not following the Cardinals advice but since 't was now too late for any remedy he resolv'd on other measures and rais'd new Troops to begin a second Civil War The Cardinal having a mind to dispossess him of Montrond caus'd some Troops to march that way every one being in great expectation of what would be the event between the two Parties They were not long without Skirmishes and a Collonel of the Prince of Conde's Troops call'd Concressant being taken Prisoner by the Count de Bougi who Commanded in Bourges they were in a dispute how to treat him whether as a Rebel or as a Prisoner of War The Dutchess of Longueville who was in Montrond fearing lest they should use him as the latter writ to the Count de Bougi about it and having receiv'd an answer as civil as could be desir'd it was a very great encouragement to the Officers of both sides to expose themselves who before were in no small apprehensions on that account However this was no law to the Cardinal for he order'd another Officer that was taken to be hang'd but the Prince serving some of his in the same manner he forbore to use any more such Severity The Duke of Orleans for all the jealousy he had entertain'd of the Prince did not yet separate from his Interests to which he was retain'd by many considerations he had rais'd some Troops as well as he and gave them to the Command of the Duke de Beaufort I servâ—d him in the quality of Aide de Camp all the Campaign and so constantly attended him that no body can be better acquainted with all that happen'd to him than my self He had been so persecuted by the new Minister that the Parisians lookt on him as irreconcileable and this resemblance of his Sentiments with their own join'd with some popular ways which he had made him so agreeable to them that they seem'd not content to love him but something more even to adore him The Fish-Wives above all were those that made the most shew of their kindness for him These every day were making him Presents and upon all occasions were the first to run to get a sight of him in publick Upon this he was call'd in derision the King of the Mobb But all their kindness was nothing to that of one of those honest Women I am going to tell you of she comes to him one morning and brings with her a young Girl of about Seventeen or Eighteen a sweet pretty Creature and told him that having no more Children in the World she should think her self the happiest body that could be if his Grace would do her Daughter the honour not only to lye with her but to get her with Child The Duke de Beaufort was not like his Father who was thought to be a greater lover of Men than of Women So he told her very pleasantly that he was mighty glad to oblige her and would engage for the one tho he could not be certain of the other yet he would do his best to gratify her in that too and at the same time to shew her that he design'd to be as good as his word he took and led her Daughter into his Chamber where after he had lain with her he sent them both home very well pleas'd with their Entertainment This Prince had a Sister married to the Duke de Nemours a Person of a thousand good Qualities with never a bad one The Prince of Conde having occasions that call'd him into the Province of Guienne which had declar'd in his Favour gave the Duke de Nemours the Command of his Troops with orders to act in Concert with those of the Duke de Beaufort If the
Montespan and the Viscount de Argenliece on the other The success of the business was not fatal only to the Marquiss d' Antin who was kill'd upon the spot but the rest got off cheaper yet their condition was bad enough The King was in a great rage when he heard of it but above all at the Chevalier de St. Agnan who indeed was more to blame than all of them In the mean time their danger was equal there was a necessity for them to think of getting out of the Kingdom and that very privately too for the King had given severe orders at all the Ports and all the Passes on the Confines to stop them However they got off some into Spain some into Portugal some one way and some another as their own good fortune guided them But as whatever a man enjoys in a foreign Country has a sort of banishment in it while he is kept out of his own so with all the joy of their escape they had every one time to repent of his folly No body pittied the Chevalier de Agnan all the world said he had no more than he deserv'd the Brothers de la Frette were as little as he for they were so very quarrelsom upon every slight occasion that they were very well compar'd to a vicious Horse that will let no other Horse come into the Stable For the rest every body was concern'd for them and would have been very glad if it had been possible that the King would have a little wink'd at it on their accounts Indeed they were all very honest Gentlemen and deserv'd better fortune but not one person durst speak to the King for them and tho the Duke de Agnan was very near to his Person yet he was one of the first that told to the King his Sons Crime was of a nature too gross to be forgiven and that if he knew where he was he would be the first should bring him to justice that therefore he would not trouble his head to ask any â—avour for him and he believ'd that all People would be of his mind This was a discourse well enough for a Court Parasite that suited all he said to the temper of his Prince but very ill became a Father who at least ought to have extenuated the Crime of his Son not agravated it The Relations of the Messieurs de la Frette took other Measures If they durst not expose themselves to speak to the King they set all their wits at work to prevail with him The Dutchess de Chaâ—lnes whose Husband was Ambassador at Rome oblidg'd him to speak to the Pope and tho the Holy Father at the same time ought to justify the Kings severity in these matters yet that did not hinder him from promising his assistance in this occasion In short having a Legate residing at Paris on some Affairs needless for me to repeat he order'd him to speak to the King in his name on their behalf The Dutchess could not have employ'd any whose Interest was more likely to prevail the Pope having power to dispence with the Oath which 't was suppos'd was the chief cause that made the King so inflexible to all sorts of Application But he answer'd the Legate that he should be glad to oblige his Holiness in any thing but that in this his hands were ty'd and that none but God himself could discharge him of an Oath so solemnly taken Not that he call'd in question the Authority of the Holy See but that 't was for the Honour of God who made him a King that he should be a Prince of his word and he did not question but the Pope himself would forbear pressing him any farther if he pleas'd but to consider the consequence of it The People ador'd the King when they came to know the answer he had made the Pope and his Holiness himself who indeed concern'd himself in it but at the Importunity of the Duke de Chaulnes was overjoy'd at the constancy of the King and if one may credit what I heard from a Person of Quality secretly thankt the King for the refusal On the other hand the Duke de St. Agnan coming to be in extraordinary Favour soon after no body doubted but he would employ it in behalf of his Son but he was very cautious whether 't was that he saw it would be to no purpose or as others thought that he was without natural affections This affair having made a great noise as it is generally with things at first People began now to forget it another publick accident happening to divert their discourse Monsieur Fouquet Superintendant of the Finances was seiz'd and committed to Prison indeed he had such powerful Enemies that 't was a miracle how he escap'd the Scaffold About the time he was Arrested they gave out several things against him to render him more odious to the People but I owe this Testimony to the Truth to say that many of them were really false which I can more easily justify than say that I had not a hand in some of them my self Monsieur Fouquet was a man of a large Soul and a very generous Spirit and 't would have appear'd more had he been of any Profession but of the Long Robe Cardinal Mazarin had taken an aversion to him for that he being Procurer General to the Parliament he could not bear to hear the Cardinal reflect upon that great Body of which he had the honour to be a principal Member He had however often told the Cardinal that he would not deny but there were several Persons in that Assembly that he could wish were not But this was not satisfaction enough for an Italian who made nothing to retain a grudge against a man all the days of his life tho being of an effeminate cowardly nature he durst never discover his malice but just when he was a dying and then he told the King that he was a man who not only profusely wasted the publick Treasure but also apply'd great sums of it to his private use that he lived in greater splendor than the King himself that his Houses were finer than the Royal Palaces both for the Buildings and the Magnificence of the Furniture that he gave private Pensions to several persons about the Court a shrewd sign that he had some dangerous things in his head that he had caus'd Belle Isle to be fortify'd a place which he had bought of the House of Gondi which had the English the antient Enemies of the Kingdom behind it With whom says the Cardinal I will not assure your Majesty he doth not hold correspondence that the only way to prevent such a mischief was to strike at the root and to make sure of such a dangerous man that nevertheless this was to be done very cautiously and to be sure not while he was Procurer General because then the Parliament would be his Judges and he would certainly get off that therefore he should take his
measures accordingly and above all that it should be done with such secresy that he might be sure to have no suspicion of it This was just at the time of the Cardinal's Death who that he might shew himself a true Italian to the last sent for this very Monsieur Fouquet and embrac'd him calling him one of his best friends mentioning to him the many obligations he had receiv'd from him during the Civil Wars and particularly how he had sent him fifty thousand Crowns when he was oblig'd to fly and retire to Leige which he had not paid him till a long time after But as this was his manner to wheadle with those he had a design to betray so his being upon the brink of the next world did not one jot alter his measures for he left the King prepossest with all those fine stories he had made of this Minister His Majesty who was perfectly form'd for all those great things we have since seen him execute was absolute Master of his own secrets which is one of the most essential qualities of a great man and having discover'd his intentions to no soul but Monsieur le Tellier whose fidelity he had try'd in too many occasions of the last moment to have any cause to suspect and to Monsieur Colbert who the Cardinal had recommended at his death as a fit person to manage the Finances and these he made exactly persue the method the Cardinal had said down which was not to attempt Monsieur Fouquet till they had got him out of the Office of Procurer General And now since we have occasion to speak of this Monsienr Colbert who had been one of the most profligate wicked fellows of the Age I 'll tell one story of him concerning some business that happen'd between him and I It was a great many years ago and in those days he was counted a very honest man My Sister whom I told you of had a great Trial about the birth of her Son had by her Husband a certain rent charge upon the Hostel de Ville and the Writings were left in the hands of this Monsieur Colbert's Father who as every body knows was Paymaster of those Rents Her Husband however it happen'd knew nothing of it but my Sister having found a little Memorandum among his Papers after his death by which it appear'd that he had a demand of five hundred Livres a year on the Town-house and in whose hands the Writings were alâ—o I apply'd my sâ—â—f to this Monsieur Colbert who I suppoâ—â—d being the eldest Son had all his Fathers Papers and spâ—ke to him about it 'T was not a very pleasanâ— piece of News to him who since he began to come into favour had set up for a man of quality which appear'd chiefly in his Retinue especially after his pretension to be descended from the Royal Family of Scotland However he demanded to see the Memorandum I mention'd and I being such a Coxcomb as I may well be asham'd to mention show'd it him as soon as ever he lookt on it and spy'd this defect in it that it wanted a Date knowing that 't would therefore be very difficult for us to make any proof of the matter he told me slightly that he had never heard of the thing before neverthelâ—ss he would search among his Papers and desir'd me to call on him again in about weeks a time I went to him again at the time appointed and in the mean time my Sister caus'd the Register to be seâ—rch'd if possibly she might find any thing there to 〈…〉 the time When I came he told me he could not yet find any thing and thus he led me on from 〈◊〉 day to another for above two months They that my Sister apply'd to said the same thing to her so that I began to think there was nothing in it when there comes a man to me one day and tolâ— me that if my Sister would allow him one half of the rent he would procure her the Writings I told him I could not give him an answer till I had spoke with my Sister because I did not kâ—ow her mind but if he would let me see him to morrow I would discourse with her and give him a positive answer 'T was a brisk offer and I could not imagin who it should come from unless 't was from some of them my Sister had been with or else from Monsieur Colbert himself but I resolv'd to have the man dogg'd when he came again which was effectually done and he was found to go directly back to Monsieur Colbert's Tho 't was but a presumption of mine at best yet I found it so probable that I thought 't would be no great damage to go again and speak a lâ—tâ—le more positively to him about it so I went again and telling him bluntly I came to know if he had yet found our Writiâ—gs he answer'd me No. This is base said I not only to get Peoples effects into your hands but to keep them by force Come come Sir continu'd I don't think to put your tricks upon us we know well enough that you sent a fellâ—w to me to make a rascally Proposal I had your Man follow'd and I 'll prove he came in hither besides I have other proofs enough to convict you Monsieur Colbert amaz'd to hear me talk thus chang'd colour but soon recovering himself whether that he was uâ—â—d to such tricks or that he knew me to be a Man of Honâ—uâ— and would not use him ill and that he had better venture upon my Generosity reply'd 'T was he indeed that had the Writings since I would have it so but not with so much injustice neither as I preâ—â—â—ded that my Brother-in-laws Father ow'd his â—â—â—her a considerable sum of money and left this in his hands for his security as he found in his Register I askt him if he would show me what he said and tâ—at I would be satisfy'd if I saw it in the Register â—e told me 't was not proper to expose the affairs of his Family to other peoples knowledge that he was an honest man and I ought to believe him upon his word This was all the reason I could ever understand why the Advocates to whom my Sister went for advice directed her to have recourse to the Register and to take out a Duplicate of the first Deed which nevertheless could not be till we had made him swear that he had not the Original So we caus'd a Summons to be given him and while we attended the sealing of it we made them look over all the Registers of the Hotel de Ville but the Father and Son being one as honest as t' other had alter'd that which only could give us any information of what we lookt for and our Contract had gone under the names of so many people on one side and t' other that neither his name nor ours was to be seen in it The only refuge we had left was the
it should suffice me to see such a proof of her Love without making her a sacrifice that I was sorry I was in no better a condition for her sake that I had resolv'd she should be my Heir to that little I had for I lov'd such an honest principle in short she did all I could desire for she gave me a Declaration two or three days after whereby she relinquisht any claim for her part in any thing her Mother might pretend upon my Fathers Estate acknowledging that it all belong'd to me and charging her Son in case of her Death not to meddle with it but to make me restitution She forc'd the paper of this into my hands and made me take it but I laught at her and having torn it in her sight I told her we should easily accommodate the case between her and I if there was no body else concern'd that I took this as kindly of her which she had now done as if she had given me a hundred thousand Crowns and that all my trouble was that I was not in a condition to requite her kindness Our Cause which had at first been commenc'd in the Country was quickly brought to Paris by the means of one of my Mother-in-laws pretended Creditors who supposing he should serve her the better there where he had a great interest made her remove it to Paris where he did all his business I was so far from being sorry for this that they could not have pleas'd me better having perhaps as many friends there as he and hop'd they would not abandon me in a Cause so very just In short every one proffer'd me his service and I that had always hated Law Suits above all things carry'd on this with so much vigour that I minded nothing else When I think of this sometimes I wonder what it was wrought so great a change in me unless it was that my Mother having on all occasions exasperated me I was very willing to have my turn in vexing her too and plague her as much as I could In the mean time however the Cause was against me and every body told me that when it came to a hearing I should be cast unless I could produce some Deeds to make out the Cheat I pretended was put upon me I had brought the Contracts of my two Aunts whereby it appear'd they had receiv'd fifty thousand Franks and that 't was likely my Father had a great deal more because we liv'd in a Country where 't was the custom to be favourable to the Male Children but the Lawyers laught at this and told me that in matters of Law they did not use to judge by supposition I was to be sure strangely embarrast at this sort of discourse and saw my self at the point to be cast for the charges when a certain Councellor of the Great Chamber sent to me to tell me that if I would promise to marry his Daughter he would engage I should carry my Cause I askt of the Messenger who this Councellor was but he told me he was not to tell me unless I accepted the proposition but that assoon as I had given him my word I should see both my Father-in-law and his Daughter I reply'd that folks did not use to marry they know not who and before I promis'd any thing I should be very willing to know who I had to do with that in the first place the proposition seem'd a little freakish or to speak seriously it seem'd to come from a man that was not very scrupulous that my Father-in-law pretended belike to sell me Justice since it might chance I should buy it with the loss of my Liberty and perhaps of my Honour and in the second place this caution he us'd to get my promise before I should be suffer'd to know him lookt as if he had no great confidence of his own reputation that I could not imagin who it should be and could guess but two or three persons whom I would not name but if it was any one of them I defy'd them and would rather run the hazard of being miserable all my life than to buy my Estate with so dishonourable a Match The man let me go on without the least interruption till I had quite done and then shrugging up his shoulders he told me this discourse from a man of twenty year old would be well enough but for one that had seen almost fifty 't was an inexcusable folly that I call'd it then selling of Justice that he would help me with his credit and interest what obligation had a man to prefer my interest before my Mother-in-laws who in all appearance had the right on her side that those Gentlemen who I talkt so scandalously of were at the same time the chief men in the Parliament that all persons were at their beck and that if I should have so little wit and so much boldness to offer them any ill language I should certainly lose my Cause which if I should be so much a Fool to do I should soon also be made to pay the costs and that if he should hear the News that all this was come to pass he should be the first to say I was serv'd as I deserv'd I confess I was sensibly touch'd with this threat and endeavouring in my self to excuse the proceedings of this pretended Father-in-law I told the Messenger perhaps he was not so much to be reflected on as I imagin'd that perhaps the methods he would use to assist me might be only interests not unjust that such men as they saw further into a Cause than other People and doubtless it was upon that score that he pretended to be able to help me in mine on the other hand 't was not so strange he should demand for his recompence that I should marry his Daughter for 't is fair every man should ask what wages he pleases for his pains that in this case to say the truth 't would not be my giving his Daughter a portion but his Daughter giving me an Estate since without her I was just a going to be not worth a groat In short to say the truth the aversion I had for my Mother-in-law reconcil'd me to all the difficulties of this affair more than I thought 't was possible for me so I told the man I would venture provided my Father-in-Law that was to be was not Monsieur Genou and that the Woman was not infamous I had an implacable enmity in my mind against Monsieur Genou for a piece of Injustice that he did to some very honest Gentlemen of my acquaintance which I could not forgive him and he run so much in my head for a notorious fellow I would be sure to avoid that it put others out of my memory who were every jot as bad as himself the man taking it for granted the business was done names to me Monsieur de Canae who was such another Villain as Genou if not a worse the very name
not expect to live long and so much the rather would not attempt to preserve my Life at the Expence of my Reputation however what I had done on account of this Man that had desir'd me to be his Second gave occasion to my Enemies to reflect on me as if I had done it for fear and they began to count me a Coward If I had been as much a Fool as I have been formerly I should have made some mischief or other on that account but besides that my Blood was not so hot now God first of all and then the King had forbid my taking that Vengeance we use to call Satisfaction and I took another way to let them know that I had as much Courage or more than they that said so The first occasion that offer'd me without taking notice of any thing to these Gentlemen I desir'd them to go out with me to discover the Enemy and I carry'd them so far that they began to mutter at me and told me I had certainly been hir'd by some body to bring them all to be murther'd this was all as I would have had it I told them I wonder'd they should discover any fear who had been so ready to censure others and making no sign of returning I came within reach of the Enemies shot when they were pleas'd to leave me This gave me opportunity enough to revenge my self When I came back to the Camp I told all this to their Acquaintance and to my own Friends how they had quitted me assoon as I came to the Enemies Quarter and tho some people did not fail to tell them again yet they thought it convenient to take no notice of it lest a Man who valu'd his life so little as they themselves had seen should not be always in the humour to bear their Reflections Indeed I was very unhappy to be so much talkt of for so small a matter since the like happen'd to another Man but t'other day and no notice at all taken of it Every body knows that the Marquis de Crequi having challeng'd a Collonel the Collonel instead of meeting him as he had appointed goes and acquaints the Marquis his Father who was General of the Army and taking him with him to the place they found the Marquis there with his Second who being surpriz'd as no doubt any Son would have been to see his Father in such a case and seeing there was no way to conceal the design he threw himself at his feet and promis'd him never to attempt it more There is nothing but good fortune and bad in the World This Collonel was so far from hurting his Reputation that he encreast it and past for a wise man and yet I not only sufferâ—d in such a case but had the misfortune to have several of my Friends reflect on me as well as the rest and I had no opportunity to tell them my mind tho I desir'd it exceedingly above all an account of a certain blustring Fellow call'd Chateau Bautot who if we would believe himself was the stoutest man in the Army I had my Eye upon him I never came into his Company but I thwarted him upon which he grew so reserv'd that I often found he had a great deal of patience and easily perceiv'd he was not such a Bravo as he said he was I ought indeed to have been content to have mortify'd him in this manner but I watcht for a further opportunity which at last offer'd it self when I least lookt for it When I return'd to the Camp the next Campaign I came to St. Disier one day when there being a great many Troops in the place I had like to have lain in the street all night but that at last I found out an Host who by the help of a Crown procur'd me a Chamber so I put my Baggage in and resolv'd to lodge there I went out then to see some Officers of my acquaintance but while I was walking with them Monsieur de Chateau Bautot comes into the same Inn and finding there was never a Chamber but mine makes bold to turn my Baggage out and take possession as soon as I came back they told me how it was and not believing any man could be so impudent I run up Stairs to inform my self I was surpriz'd to find him there who I wanted such an occasion against and he was no less when he saw who it was he was like to be concern'd with but not giving him time to make his excuse I clapt the door to and bolted it and told him there was no reason I should have the advantage of the Inn so much because I happen'd to come in an hour or two before him but I thought he best deserv'd the Chamber who was best able to keep it With those words I drew expecting that he would do the like but instead of that he told me he would not be guilty of such an ill action that he acknowledg'd he had abus'd me and as a further mark of it he would immediately remove his Baggage if I pleas'd to let them be carried away I was asham'd of his Cowardice and putting up my Sword I told him that at least then he should behave himself more modestly for the future that I had born a great deal from him but I should not always take it so that I would not use him as he had done me tho I had much more reason that I now was satisfied he had a great deal more Tongue than Courage and I should take occasion some time or other to tell him so if he did not take care to use me better Thus I remain'd Master of the Chamber which I was not a little glad of I assure you for I must own to you I had rather it had been he than any Person in the World for tho I know I ought to forgive yet I could not help being thoroughly pleas'd at such an opportunity to revenge my self This accident however made him quit the Army and go and serve under Mr. de Schomberg in Catalonia he had a Troop of Horse in the Regiment de Gassion but as he was always a man of pleasure he left the Army to run after a Mistriss and as he was coming back again was kill'd by the Miquelets As for me I was still Aid de Camp and tho the King had several in the Army who wore long Beards as well as I as the Marquis de Angeau and the Marquis d' Arcy yet none of them would pretend to dispute the Seniority with me however I was still very vigorous and Monsieur de Turenne would say of me sometimes that 't was pity I began so late and that if I had as good a constitution of body to the War as I had of mind I should have been able to do any thing Indeed I us'd to tire two or three Horses a day I was so constantly riding about in every corner that they call'd me the Petty General of
the Army I did not do this to make people believe great things of me but 't was my delight and I always chose rather to please all the world if 't was possible than to give offence to any and I know but one man in the whole Army that complain'd of me and I leave the world to judge whither that was my fault or no. In the Regiment of Horse de Harcourt there was a Gentleman of Vexin call'd Bellebuine whose Father having been one of my acquaintance a Captain in the Guards I thought my self oblig'd now and then to give his Son a hint of my observations of his conduct and I had told him of several things which I thought were not very much for his reputation indeed he was very debaucht and tho he had a very honest Woman to his Wife yet he run away from her and follow'd a Gang of nasty common Whores This could not but produce ill effects on him and all that I had foretold him came to pass he was lookt upon in the Regiment as one who 't was scandalous to be seen with and besides he had done two or three very dishonourable actions and to compleat all he brought the fould disease with him from Paris and whether he wanted Courage or was unable to serve on these accounts I know not but he came to me one day and desir'd me to ask leave of Monsieur de Turenne for him to go somewhere to be cur'd We had then the Enemies Army just at our Trenches and thnking it was not a proper time for any Man to leave the Army I gave him my opinion that Mr. de Turenne would not grant it him he would not take my word for it but seeing I refus'd to speak for him he went to Monsieur de Turenne and askt him himself but he told him the very same thing as I had said which not satisfying him he went away without leave In short I had good reason for what I said for the Armies engag'd in a day or two after and had he staid till then I should have made no difficulty to have spoke to Monsieur de Turenne for him and Monsieur de Turenne who was very civil to him told him if he would have patience two or three days he should go but going his own way to work he was cashier'd as he well deserv'd God knows I never accus'd him to Mr. de Turenne but said all I could in his favour when they told him of it nevertheless he took all the disgrace that was done him to be my doing and they wrote to me from Paris that he threatned me strangely I made a trifle of it and indeed I knew him too well to be afraid of him but I was soon taught that the bravest Men are not always the most dangerous Enemies but on the other hand a Man has nothing to secure himself against Malice and Treachery In short I was no sooner come back from â—â—e Campagne but one night as I was going along the Fauxbourg St. Germaine very late three Men set upon me with naked Swords in their hands and I knew him to be at the head of them I was not so much surpriz'd but that I had time to ask him in cold blood if it was possible for a Gentleman to be concern'd in such a piece of Villany I confess he had been in a great many ill actions as I have before observ'd and now having reduc'd himself to the last extremity he had listed in the Gens d' Arms where tho I do not say but there may be some honest Gentlemen yet I shall not fear to say also there are others who will stick at no manner of crime here it was that he furnish'd himself for all sort of Villany and I believe 't was by concert with these people he that undertook an action so horrid I was in the more danger from these Rogues because 't was very late and I could hope for no help from the Watch for they were gone it being near day But I had not so much work with them as I expected and taking care to set my back against a Shop that they might not come behind me I stood upon my Defence I have wondred a thousand times reflecting on the passage how it came to pass since they had Villany enough to contrive such an action that they had not arm'd themselves in another manner but so it pleas'd God to order it I kept them off in that fashion with the point of my Sword till at last a Coach was heard which was the Duke Lesdiguieres assoon as ever the Villains saw the Flambeaus they fled and the Duke who was in his Coach knowing me by the light made his Coach stop and askt me what was the matter I would not tell him the name of him I had so much reason to have expos'd out of my respect to his Relations who were very honest people I only told him I had been attacqu'd by three fellows I knew not who and if his Grace had not come by in the minute I did not know how it might have far'd with me He stept out of his Coach immediately for fear of a surprize and we walkt along together two or three whole streets but could see no body But this was a day of strange adventures coming to a new House which was not above half finisht we heard a grievous groaning which was like a Woman's Voice Mr. de Lesdiguieres order'd his Footmen to go into the House and see what was the matter and we follow'd them but I was strangely surpriz'd when I saw what it was 'T was a Young Woman extraordinarily well drest and to appearance of some Quality with a Masque on her Face she was fallen in Labour in that place and without any manner of help but a sort of a Girl that was not like to be capable of doing her any service I was extremely mov'd at her circumstance and said something to her to make her sensible of it but Mr. de Lesdiguieres who was a hard-hearted Man fell a laughing at her and was a going to make her pull her Masque off and if it had not been for me I believe he would have done it for he said a great many hard things to her which I did not approve of I had a great deal of difficulty to get him away but having at last perswaded him I did her a great kindness for I saw she had almost stifled herself with her Mask for fear of being known and if she had been to keep it on much longer there had been no saving her I had the Curiosity the next day to go and inqure about her making all the description I could of her Dress and Shape and the like I got so much information that I understood 't was a Councellors Daughter that past for a young Saint However tho she was of no mean Family yet the Child was expos'd to the Parish and the Commissary was
it and telling her she ought to have given notice of it to the Officers of Justice I went immediately and did it for her The young Sparks who had offer'd this violence to her found themselves in an ill case when they saw what measures we were going to take with them and especially perceiving they had to do with a person of quality who wanted neither Money nor Friends to prosecute them and some body advis'd them to come and ask pardon of the Lady and accordingly a person was sent to know if that would be accepted but I told the Messenger that would not serve their turn for an action so notoriously foul as this was 'T is true I took a false step in applying my self to the ordinary course of Justice I should rather have made my Complaint before the Mareschals of France where we should have had more justice and been sooner dispatcht But my passion transported me so far that I never thought of that till I had begun their process a little too hastily not considering that we were bringing our selves into a tedious Suit that we could not quit when we pleas'd In short our Adversaries taking advantage of this occasion got before us and made a Complaint there themselves and tho they could pretend nothing in that Court against a Woman yet they so entangled things with their tricks and turns that they got an Arrest to stop a Judgment which we had obtain'd against them in the other Court The business was then brought before the Parliament and that Court not being in haste to end matters of this nature took care to keep this alive by bringing up against this Lady and her Husband who was now made a party every thing that could be thought of in all the course of their lives and a great many invented things that had never been acted that they might if possible tire them into an accommodation This Gentleman and his Lady had one misfortune which is but too common in this age their Daughter had been a little too free with her Brothers Tutor and there was a Child in the case the Father was so enrag'd at it that once he had like to have stabb'd her and I believe he had done it if I had not advis'd him to send her away to the Plantations in the West-Indies and give out that she was dead he lik'd the proposal well enough and so it was first told abroad that his Daughter was very sick and then that she was dead and a formal Funeral was made for her in the mean time she was sent away in the night to Rochelle to be shipt off however this could not be done so privately but some whisperings of it got abroad and these people got some knowledge of it in general as that it was but a sham Funeral upon which they immediately suppos'd the Girl had been murthered and entred a process for the discovery requiring to have the Coffin taken up again and open'd in the presence of the Magistrate which being granted strangely perplext my Cousins and they try'd a thousand tricks of the Law to avoid bringing an affair upon the stage so much to their dishonour and truly they were got among such a parcel of Lawyers both of Paris and Roan that no tricks were to be plaid of that kind but they could have them done However all signified nothing the Coffin was opened and there was found a Log of Wood instead of a Corps and Testification of this being made they had now the Sollicitor General upon their backs who demanded to know what they had done with their Daughter If it was a Mortification to have the whole story of this brought before the Parliament which the adverse Lawyers did not fail to do with all the aggravations they could 't was worse to them to find out a way how to give an account of the Girl herself For it seems instead of going to the West Indies as her Father and Mother thought she had done truly she had got another fellow that falling in love with her had procured her liberty on conditions much like what she had formerly granted the Tutor 'T was a hard Chapter to tell this to a Court of Justice and yet harder to prove it if it was not believed In short the Court was not at all satisfy'd with it but they were order'd to produce the Young Woman or to answer for her at which knowing not what either to do or say they stood as if they had been amaz'd which the Court taking as an effect of guilt order'd them both to be taken up and put into the Conciergeric I was sensibly afflicted when I heard this news and the more because I was foolishly the occasion of their beginning this unhappy process and thinking my self obliged whatever it cost me to relieve them in this distress I enquir'd as privately as I could possibly of a certain sort of Women whose Employment is not very honest and which you may guess at I suppose without naming I askt them I say if they had not among their Virgins such and such a young Lady describing her as well as I could the great reward I promis'd them made them bestir themselves a little for the discovery For indeed I did not know who else to apply my self to imagining and that as I thought not without reason that a young Girl cast off by her Father and Mother and who had already been that way given would presently apply herself to such people as those tho 't was really a hard case that any person of quality should be forc'd to such a search and that their misfortunes should oblige them to save their Lives by the exposing the dishonour of their Family upon Record In the mean time these good Women taking no notice on what account it was procur'd me the sight of a great number of young Ladies I had always heard indeed that Paris was full of such people but I never thought it was possible there could be so many of them It took me up at least a month to visit all these houses and there was never less than ten or twelve at a place and yet among them all I could not find out her I wanted but all I could learn of her was that she had been seen at a certain Tire-womans call'd La Marchand that a Gentleman being in love with her had taken her a private Lodging and kept her but no body could tell me who this man was nor where he liv'd so that in short one had as good look a Needle in a Bottle of Hay as the Proverb says as to expect to find them out in such a large place as Paris I put an end to my search However since I knew this part of the story was true both by some circumstances as also that she had discover'd herself to a friend who had told us of it The Advocates to defer the Proceedings against my Kinsman and his Wife thought it proper to