Favour which you seek for with so much Heat is the Grave of Love How many gallant Heroes have we known who have been Bury'd under its ruins and who have been lost when they thought themselves at the very Port of Felicity The expectation of the Pleasure will far exceed the enjoyment it self These Obstacles made by Olympia against the Marshal's Passion did only serve to inflame it and to quicken his desire of making himself Master of that piece of Ground which she so Valiantly defended and his Passion growing more violent every moment he cou'd not forbear telling her that if she let him languish thus any longer he shou'd dye instantly at her Feet Donna Olympia then finding her strength to fail her and fearing that she shou'd not be able to hold out much longer against her charming Conqueror as she was wont to call him very courteously desir'd him to withdraw for that time because the day began to appear and that her Brother was accustom'd to walk the Rounds in the House every Morning early who if he shou'd find a Man in her Chamber they both wou'd be in great danger of their Lives The Marshal having understood her meaning with a profound reverence quitted the Room promising to renew his Visit in a short time Yes Sir said she giving him her Hand which he kiss'd very Passionately I promise it shall be so my Heart is only too forward to give its consent to so agreeable an Entertainment don't fail to see me to morrow at the same Hour in my Chamber You may believe Madam reply'd the Marshal that I shall be overjoy'd to Execute your Commands in which my Love is so nearly concern'd and that every Hour nay every Moment will seem an Age to me till such time that Medina a Relation of this Lady coming towards her Chamber and having made some noise in opening a door she oblig'd our General to Decamp with his whole Army of Sighs and Languishing Expressions He return'd to his ordinary Post I mean to his own Lodgings where instead of Sleep he was overwhelm'd with a Thousand amourous Fancies Donna Olympia flatter'd her self with having gain'd a great Point since by breaking off the Conference she had preserv'd that which indeed she was ready to part with Her Heart was torn in pieces by two different Passions for if her Vertue induc'd her strongly to its preservation on the other hand she was apt to reproach her self for not having been more favourable to her Lover Medina having perceiv'd the Confusion she was in and drawing nearer to her ask'd her in very affectionate terms the cause of her disquiet Alass cry'd she my Dearest I am the most unfortunate of all living Creatures Nothing but Death can expiate a crime which I have committed against my own self Vertue strongly opposes my Inclinations but Alass I am in Love to my eternal Confusion with the most dangerous of all Men who from the first Moment I saw him has over-rul'd my Reason I have resisted this Passion with all my Strength endeavouring to stifle it in its Birth but this too tender too Passionate Heart has at last been forc'd to yield to its Conquerour I am now no longer Mistress of it he triumphs over it in spite of all my resistance Madam reply'd Medina she being a Lady of a very subtil Wit Who is that happy Mortal that has such powerful Charms What is become of that graceful haughtiness which never left you till this time Oh! reply'd the Marchioness Sighing I do not know my self my Dearest there is something fatal in the matter I am constrain'd to submit to the present influences of my Stars Madam reply'd the young Lady take courage I don't believe that Love is so dangerous and terrible as you describe it If Love be a crime it is one of the most Innocent and very few Mortals are exempted from it Who can without injustice condemn a Passion taught us by Nature it self Especially since we our selves are not the cause of those Effects which she produces it is she her self who is the Cause of that Sin which appears so hanious in your Sight He whom I love reply'd Donna Olympiae briskly is rather the cause of it My Passion has quite overcome my Reason Oh! Madam reply'd Medina with a Smile this is the way to spoil all the pleasures of Love but pray tell me who is this happy Man He is a Frenchman my Dearest answerd the fair Spaniard with a blush he is a French Gentleman the most charming of all Men who has robb'd me of my Heart without the least hopes of recovering it this only way being left me to revenge my self upon him to robb him of his again 'T is very odd reply'd the young Lady and pray Madam what is his Name it may be I may know him Well my dear Medina answer'd Donna Olympia covering her Face with a veil since you are resolv'd to make me confess the truth to my own Confusion know that it is the Marquess de Boufflers Colonel of a Regiment of Dragoons which are quarter'd hereabouts and have lately serv'd in the Siege of Puicerda his Courage and Bravery is very well known in these Parts The Marquess de Boufflers Madam reply'd Medina as being surpris'd Oh! I know him very well I have seen him often at Paris when I belonged to the Queen's Retinue And what Queen do you mean say'd Donna Olympia her Head running upon other matters How Madam reply'd Medina who cou'd not forbear laughing sure you have not forgot that the French King has Marry'd the Sister of the King of Spain our Monarch the Infanta Maria Theresia Oh! you are in the right reply'd the Marchioness embracing her at the same time I had quite forgot it then you know that fair Thyrsis who has charm'd me and what do you think of him I Madam answer'd the young Lady very modestly I think him to be a very accomplish'd Gentleman but otherwise I take him to be as fickle in his Amours as the rest of the French are who make it their business to Court one Beauty after another to tell 'em of their Sufferings of their Sighs and Pains which seldom are any where to be found but in their Compliments and Bilets Douces which they are continually sending to their Mistresses and those are foolish enough to believe that they are in Love with ' em I had not long ago a Letter by me the most passionate in the World which this General wrote to the Marchioness de Segnelay Lady to one of the Secretaries of State in which he had so lively painted the excess of his Passion that one wou'd have believ'd a Man cou'd not live long under such an Agony He told her that her Eyes did every day commit a great many Murders for which she must be accountable to God and that it was Inhuman in her to dispeople in such a manner the whole Kingdom of France Cou'd any thing be more Hyperbolical cou'd any thing
laughing as loud as she cou'd Come Spark I 'll acquaint the Marshal de Boufflers with it who I believe will give thee a good Reward for the Pains thou takest to divulge his Amours You 'll have a care of that Dame Roux reply'd Champonniere blowing the Smoak of Tobacco in her Face or else I shall go near to have your white Top knot dy'd Black as Apollo serv'd the Sexton who was officious in relating to him what he had heard others say concerning him Boufflers having call'd his Servant the Dialogue was broke off and having sent him with some Letters to the Post-house he went into his Closet where he wrote this following Billet Doux to Mademmoiselle de Grammont Mademoiselle AMong all the Mortals who have ador'd you none e're lov'd you with so transcendent a Passion as my self beyond all that ever can be conceiv'd tender for so adorable a Person as your self I am at present reduc'd to such a Condition as I never knew before that is to say I am the most unfortunate of all Men that ever were made for Love except yon take Compassion of my Sufferings I am to treat with you upon Terms altogether different from what I was wont to do with my former Mistresses looking upon you with a quite different Eye All the Favours I sue for at your Hands most Charming Lady is only to afford me one favourable Glance of your Goodness and to lend an Ear to some of my Sighs which are roving about in the Air because they can't find a Reception from you But if I cou'd once see that happy Day when I might fix but one of 'em close to your Heart then then I shou'd have the Satisfaction of seeing you repent of all those Evils which you have made me suffer As I know you to be a very good Christian so I cannot but perswade my self that you will reflect seriously that it is not a Venial Sin thus to make a poor Mortal suffer and languish who loves you better than his own Life Heaven that hears me is my Witness that what I have said falls very short of what I feell and that if it continues long I must dye This will be the first News Madam which you will hear if you don't alter your Mind of being so inhuman as before I remain even to the very last Gasp of my Life the most sincere and passionate of all Mortal Lovers Mademoiselle de Grammont happen'd to be at Madam Maintenon's when she receiv'd this Letter and after having perus'd it she fell a laughing and told Madam Maintenon I must acknowledge that the Marshal de Boufflers has a very pretty way of writing I cou'd scarce have believ'd that a Soldier cou'd be endu'd with so much Gallantry Sure Mademoiselle reply'd Madam de Maintenon you are not in Earnest does not Love take its Rise even in the very midst of Arms and is not Gallantry the most essential Character of a Warriour Don't we see your Alexanders Caesars and Pompeys inclin'd to this tender Passion in the midst of their Conquests despising to reap the Fruits of their most glorious Victories without the soft Embraces of their beloved Mistresses Love has been in all Ages the Delight of Great Men and is of all other Passions the most innocent provided it be us'd with Moderation and Discretion which indeed are the Two Foundation-Pillars of Human Felicity What is more natural than to love that which is amiable The very irrational Creatures themselves if they see any thing surprising cannot avoid looking upon it and can it appear strange to you Mademoiselle said the Lady very pleasantly that our Marshal de Boufflers who has a very discerning Judgment shou'd stand amaz'd at your Beauty and a thousand other engaging Qualities too too powerful for him to resist Madam answer'd Mademoiselle de Grammont you shew as much Generosity as the Gentleman himself of whom you speak thus to conceal my Faults I cou'd wish my self Mistress of those Perfections which you are pleas'd so freely to attribute to me Ah! fair Creature reply'd the Lady don't oppose a Truth which is really due to your Merits Poor Boufflers is only too sensible of it 't is that which has touch'd his Heart to the Quick And do you really believe it Madam reply'd the young Lady coldly Is it possible that the Heart of so genteel and so gallant a Man as he is can be wounded at this time Oh! I much doubt it And why so ' pray reply'd Madam de Maintenon those that have so many Mistresses don't always part with their Liberty but commonly keep their Heart to their own Disposal There is a vast difference between that sort of Love which is bestow'd upon a Mistress and that which belongs to a Wife An unmarry'd Person without some little Love-Exercise grows dull and good for nothing It seems as if some little Love-Intrigue serves to animate his Vital Spirits and renders him more acceptable among Women I will allow it you Madam said Mademoiselle provided these Intrigues are not carry'd on to that height as the Marshal de Boufflers has been accustom'd to do there is none that can be ignorant of his Love Adventures And what extraordinary Matter is there in all this Mademoiselle reply'd the Lady smiling he will be the better able to find the way that leads him to the Glory of pleasing you a Man cannot be too well skill'd in the Art of Love But Madam said she sometimes these conquering Gentlemen pay dear for their Knowledge Soft soft my Darling cry'd Madam de Maintenon don't you believe that the Marshal has very good Skill in Women Indeed I know him to be so nice in this point that I dare engage for him Madam your Surety is without Exception answer'd Mademoiselle and I will rely upon all that you have said and hope you 'll give me Leave to depart for this Time that I may be at Leisure to give him a suitable Answer to his Civilities In short Mademoiselle said Madam Maintenon rising from her Seat you 'll do very well for he is a very worthy Gentleman who does not deserve to be slighted You do not know what Time may bring to pass perhaps he may one Day become your Husband Mademoiselle de Grammont had no sooner left the Abbess of St. Cyr but retiring into her Chamber she wrote the Marshal these following Lines SIR IS it possible to believe that you shou'd be so much in Love as you pretend after you have Travell'd through so many Countries Perhaps all those Ladies whom you have hitherto met with wanted sufficient Charms to engage your Heart Besides this you wou'd induce one to believe to your Advantage that you have an inexhaustible Stock of Affection for those whom you wou'd perswade they deserve it But if one may take the boldness to tell you that since that Fire you speak of as often as it is transplanted loses every time somewhat of its innate Vigour it must of
all Expression except by him who had the good Fortune to be made sensible of ' em Nothing cou'd appear more Charming than she did as she lay in Bed A careless Head-dress ty'd behind with a Carnation Ribbon in the nature of a single Top-knot together with a sweet engaging Air which was natural to her made her appear the most lovely Woman in the Universe The Marshal having now met with a favourable Opportunity to enjoy the happy Minute told Guisson who had introduc'd him that Morning to the Countess Mademoiselle Let me be with your Lady for two or three Hours in private because I have some Matters of Moment to impart to her This young Damsel who very well understood his Meaning ask'd her Mistress Whether she wou'd have her withdraw Yes said the Lady and if any shou'd come to enquire for me this Morning tell 'em That I am indispos'd and not to be spoke with at present The Young Woman having receiv'd her Lady's Orders left the Room and our Marshal finding himself now at liberty threw himself upon the Bed by his fair Lady kissing and embracing her without Intermission and finding nothing that was likely to obstruct his Passage if he advanc'd farther he in very passionate Terms begg'd of her to grant him the last Favour Alas cry'd she half vanquish'd and entangl'd in his Embraces Who can deny you any thing my Dear Alas I am ready to faint pray pity my Weakness Oh! what ravishing joys my Soul my Soveraign The Marshal now in the midst of his Enjoyments thought himself the happiest Man in the World and keeping her still in his Arms protested to her with a great many Oaths That he never in all his Life-time had receiv'd so much Satisfaction as with her He desir'd her after having by a thousand Oaths assur'd her of his Fidelity and that he wou'd love her for ever To keep their Intriegue secret and to let no Body in the World know of it lest that if the Count de should get the least scent of it it might prove of dangerous consequence both to her and himself who cou'd not suffer her to be misus'd by a Jealous Husband The Countess told him with a Kiss That he needed not in the least fear her that she did not admire Confidents in Love that she was so tender as to this Point that she scarce trusted her own Heart lest it should betray her These Assurances were sign'd by both Parties several times over and the poor Countess who was of a very tender Constitution seal'd 'em with some Drops of her Blood in hopes that their mutual Promises shou'd outlast their Lives The Marshal now more contented than a Prince left his Beloved in Bed having reiterated his Promise to come and see her often But before a few Days were pass'd the King being dissatisfy'd with the Inhabitants of Liege who had by some Acts of Hostility incurr'd his utmost Displeasure order'd That some Batteries should be rais'd against that City and the whole Management of this Affair being left to the Conduct of the Marshal de Boufflers he prepar'd himself to put his Orders in execution against Whitsontide Our General having therefore taken Leave of his Countess and repeated his former Assurances of an everlasting Love Bombarded the City of Liege for Two or three Days causing a great Consternation among the Inhabitants very many of whom were ruin'd by it But while he was taken up in this Expedition the Count carry'd his Lady back to Paris and tho' he shew'd her all the Complaisance imaginable yet she who cou'd not think upon nor be pleas'd with any thing but her Gallant receiv'd all her Husband's Caresses very coldly The Count who was not insensible of her Indifferency and lov'd her extremely was ready to dye with Vexation not imagining that she cou'd love any one but himself after he had so much advanc'd her Fortune he having marry'd her not for her Portion or extraordinary Quality but merely for her Beauty she being by Birth the Daughter only of a Private Gentleman in Poictou But to return to our Lady who never having had any great Love for her Husband was easily comforted for his Death which happen'd soon after pleasing her self with a Fancy That the Marshal de Boufflers wou'd marry her conformably to those passionate Protestations he had often made to her But she was much deceiv'd in her Aim for having notify'd to him the Death of her Husband in such Terms as were convincing enough to the Marshal That she lov'd him sufficiently to invest him with the same Quality he turn'd the whole into Raillery and answer'd her in Terms full of Equivocations which most sensibly afflicted her And the Marshal who after the Campaign was ended return'd to Paris told her with his own Mouth That he cou'd not as yet resolve to Marry but that this shou'd not hinder him from loving her as well as if she were his Wife and more for said he Marriage often suppresses the vehemency of Love and sometimes quite extinguishes its Flame But these Reasons were not cogent enough to make her lay aside the Thoughts she had of Marrying him On the contrary she conceiv'd such an Aversion toward him perceiving her self thus despis'd after she had done so much for him that Hatred succeeded in her Heart instead of Love to that degree that she refus'd to see him nay she wou'd not so much as hear him spoke of as if his very Name were terrible to her Which vex'd the Marshal to the very Heart who lov'd her to the highest degree notwithstanding he cou'd not resolve to make her his Spouse One Day as he was walking in the King's Gardens at Versailles it being a very fair Day he espy'd from far his Countess's Coach and drawing nearer and finding no Body in it but one of her Footmen he ask'd him where his Lady was who having told him That she was taking a Turn in one of the Walks of the Gardens with the Marchioness de lae Mothe the Marshal with all possible haste made up to the Place where his fair Lady was But being willing to over-hear their Discourse he hid himself behind some Trees hard by where they were walking and heard the Countess de who was wiping her Tears away with her Handkerchief say thus to the Marchioness My dearest let us bury my Misfortune in Oblivion 't is pass'd Expression when I consider what I have done for that ungrateful Man the very Thoughts of whom now are frightful to me This perfidious Wretch has not only given me his Word but sworn a thousand Oaths That if the Chance of War should happen to take off my Husband I shou'd alone dispose of his Destiny But good God! continu'd she what is become of all those Oaths He says he loves me more than ever and yet refuses to keep his Promise You are a very good-natur'd Lady indeed reply'd the Marchioness de la Mothe laughing are you to learn yet
that Promises made by Lovers have nothing of Reality in 'em they being founded upon a Passion which goes as fast as it comes and consequently all the Oaths they make return to their first Principle which is next to nothing being only a Fancy and what Woman of any Sense would lay the least stress upon ' em As for my part continu'd she I shou'd make no more of losing a Gallant than to part with one of my Ribbons I hope you are not in earnest thus to torment your self for a Loss which is not worth taking notice of Come come Madam so beautiful a Lady as you need not want Gallants if you have a Mind to be troubl'd with ' em This is not enough Madam reply'd the Countess sighing but all Men don't please us alike I am sensible what a difficult Task it was for me to shew so much Complaisance as I did to my deceas'd Husband whom I lov'd but indifferently and therefore I wou'd fain if I cou'd avoid to undergo the same Trouble But how ingenious I am at tormenting my self cry'd she looking towards the Place where the Marshal had hid himself Let us strive my Heart to do Violence to our own Inclination let us not think any more of the Ravisher of our Liberty Oh Heavens what do I see said the Lady all on a sudden Is not that this faithless Man whose Love hss cost me so many Sighs The Marchioness perceiving the Marshal coming up towards her follow'd the Countess who run with all Speed towards her Coach and having order'd the Coachman to drive as fast as he cou'd to Paris she with a disdainful Frown drew up the Glass and away they went The Marshal thinking himself above her Scorn and being by this time got on Horse-back rode close after the Coach and having presented one of his Pistols at the Coach-man Stop said he stop you Dog or else I 'll shoot you thro' the Head The Poor Fellow being extremely terrify'd leapt out of the Coach-box leaving the Coach to the Marshal's Disposal who having put one of his Servants who had been with him at Boulogne a small Village near Paris in his Place made him stop at the next Inn. The Ladies that hitherto had not seen who it was that pursu'd 'em and had made most lamentable Outcries all a-long the Road were much surpris'd when they saw the Marshal de Boufflers for imagining that it was some of their Gallants who intended to carry 'em away they had not had the Courage till now to lift up their Eyes At that same instant all the Countess's Hatred suddenly vanish'd she gave her Hand to the Marshal who led her out of the Coach into one of the best Appartments of the House The Marchioness perceiving this sudden Change in her Friend did not say one Word but pray'd one of the Footmen who had been all-a-long behind the Coach to drive her away to Paris and that he might return immediately afterwards to fetch his Lady Thus the Marshal having got his Mistress by himself cou'd not forbear laughing at this bold stroak he had made knowing that it had often stood him in good stead before upon the like Occasions Well Madam said he looking upon her stedfastly you are now in my Power cou'd you imagine that after we have been so closely acquainted you might disintangle your self with so much Ease Ladies that love Gallantry as well as you do ought not to carry Matters so haughtily your manner of Proceeding appears very unseasonable And after all what is it I have done to you continu'd he with a somewhat more compos'd Countenance I have lov'd you very tenderly and love you still in spite of all your Scorn You have propos'd Marriage to me and you don't know the Reasons why it was not in my Power to comply with your Desires in that particular You may possibly tell me That where there is a great deal of Love Reason seldom takes Place but as my Circumstances are at present I am oblig'd to consult Reason and to tell you That I cannot Marry at this Time If you have the least Kindness for me you 'll easily perswade your self That all that was in my Power to do for you I have done already The Countess was not capable of giving him one Word in answer her Speech being stopt by a Torrent of Tears which she shed Notwithstanding all these disadvantages she still appear'd to the Marshal one of the most lovely Women in the World And as he has always a great Tenderness for the fair Sex so he cou'd not but endeavour to allay her Grief He threw himself at her Feet and embracing 'em My Angel my Dearest said he 't is impossible for me to see you thus torment your self let us pardon one another all those Crimes which have made us both culpable Grant me your Pardon and I will grant you mine and freely forgive those charming Eyes of yours which have set me all in a Flame and do you forgive these tender Expressions which were the true Interpreters of my Heart it did not address it self to you most charming Creature added he in a very passionate Tone before it had consulted yours which it found so worthy of its Choice and Affection The Lady whom the great Surprise she was in had kept silent till now was not able to hold out any longer against the Power of such Charms and tender Caresses of a Lover who was belov'd by her but was forc'd to yield in spite of all her Indifferency which she had shewn to him in outward Appearance 'T is in vain my Dear reply'd she at last that I endeavour to hate thee thou know'st how to disarm me by thy most engaging Charms and my Heart as soon as it sees thee loses all its Force which it shou'd make use of against thee Away away said she with all my Haughtiness and Scorn you only serve to add Fuel to my Flame and to render my Passion more violent than before To be short my illustrious Lover added she throwing her self about his Neck and squeesing him between her Arms I love thee and all the Considerations in the World shall not be powerful enough to separate us for the future â—nd not so much as for one Moment I will leave it to your Judgment to guess what past afterwards between two Persons who lov'd one another with so much Passion By this time Night beginning to approach the Countess began to be uneasie not because she was with her Gallant who entertain'd her with so much sweetness but because she heard no News of her Coach and that she thought it wou'd look very ill in her not to return to Paris that Night she was just a talking of it as much as she thought convenient to the Marshal when putting her Head out of the Window by chance she saw one of her Footmen coming who told her That the Coach was ready at the Door And what is become of Adventure which was the
Good 'T is very true my adorable Lady said the Marshal kneeling before her But if I durst take the boldness to tell you that if Go on go on Sir in what you were about to say cry'd the young fair Lady I give you free leave to speak What are your Words stopt in their very passage I will take courage then reply'd he with a loud Voice Since you give me leave to explain my Thoughts Yes very well Sir reply'd Mademoiselle with a serious Countenance I have not laid my Hand upon your Mouth as the Pope does to his Cardinals you have full liberty to deliver your mind Having receiv'd assurance from your own Mouth Mademoiselle reply'd the Marshal that I shall not offend you in freely disclosing the Sentiments of my Heart I must tell you that I shou'd certainly believe my self the most happy of all Mortals upon Earth if Heaven had design'd me for a Spouse so accomplish'd as your self but being always mistrustful of my good Fortune I am afraid that this so much wish'd for happiness will not fall to my share It is a considerable time since I first stiffl'd this thought in my Heart without daring to let it come to light for fear it might be in any wise displeasing to you Pardon therefore at this time the boldness I take thus to lay open to your view even the inmost recesses of my Heart which will at least ease it of some part of its pain and don 't refuse to give one word in answer which shall be always most dear and acceptable to me provided it proceeds from your own Sweet Lips Mademoiselle de Grammont being somewhat surpris'd at the ingenuous Confession of her Lover and being willing at the same time to satisfy him that she had no aversion toward his Person made no difficulty to tell the Marshal with a most charming Air Sir If I were at my own Disposal I wou'd consult my own Heart as to what might be expedient for me to do in this Case But you are not ignorant that I am to be guided by my Kindred especially by my Brother the Abbot who without doubt will provide such a Match for me as he shall find suitable to his Inclinations Besides you know very well that it wou'd be very unbecoming a young Virgin in my condition to doe any thing of this nature disagreeable to the sentiments of my Relations I will not contradict you in this particular Mademoiselle reply'd the Marshal but at the same time I hope you 'll grant me that your Kindred ought not to pretend to the disposal of your Heart You being the sole Mistress of it as well as of the rest of your inclinations Pray Sir let us talk no more on this Subject reply'd she not without some disturbance I have given you sufficient Reasons I am then a very unfortunate Creature reply'd Boufflers full of despair in regard that I cannot obtain the favour to be heard so much as for one moment by the Person I adore who ever refuses me the Liberty of declaring the real Sentiments of my Heart I call all you Saints to witness whether ever any Sufferings were comparable to mine I perceive very well cry'd Mademoiselle de Grammont laughing that you are very much out of Order good Sir I believe it will be best to send for a Physitian Alas cruel fair one cry'd the Marshal smiling you are the Physitian if you please that can alone restoâ—e me to health but at the present you only apply Corrosives to my Wounds instead of Balsamicks Is there any Conscience in your Proceedings Don't you believe that you must be answerable for this cruel Usage and give account for all those Pains you have caus'd me to endure If you shou'd make a real Confession of it to your Father-Confessor I cannot be perswaded that he wou'd grant you Absolution for so heinous a Crime Nay reply'd Medemoiselle if we shou'd acquaint our Father-Confessor with the flattering Expressions and Lies which you Gentlemen are pleas'd to tell us we shou'd e'n make a pretty Story of it What Answer wou'd these Religious Men make us but to say That these being Venial Sins of small consequence we may easily be pardon'd in not believing you who so seldom or never speak truth when you pretend to make Love For sometimes you shall meet with one who immediately runs desperate or mad whilst another is just at the point of Death and talks of nothing but Daggers which are to pierce his Heart Others are continually Whining and Pineing all in Tears so that they can do nothing but sigh and talk of their Sufferings and Pains which as they give out can never cease but with their last Breath This is a short Panegyrick upon your Love-Passion which is always Languishing and is Variously represented by you to serve your turn accordingly as you shall find a fit opportunity Very well then Mademoiselle said the Marshal feigning to be surpris'd at the Learned words of his Mistress That the Pains of Love did not cease till Death And who can pretend to procure the Death of so Powerful a Deity Marriage Marraige Sir reply'd the fair Lady I say the Conjugal Union will quench the most violent Flames of Concupiscence and annihilate their force What is become of those most violent Passions what of those great efforts of Love which once appear'd in our great Monarch Lewis XIV towards a la Valiere a Montespan and several others whom he has quite abandon'd since as if he never had had any knowledge of ' em Madam de Maintenon told me the other Day that the King wou'd not so much as suffer 'em to be spoken of in his presence Alas take my Word for it there is nothing in this Sublunary World but what is continually subject to change You ought not Madam answer'd the Marshal to reflect upon these matters at your Age this part of Morality is too solid for you at this time to take up your Thoughts You ought rather to endeavour to make use of the advantage of your blooming Years in making one of your Adorers happy by the sweet enjoyments of the Matrimonial State to your mutual Comfort and Satisfaction This is that which you ought to apply your self to without loseing one Moment longer Fair CLYMENE improve your lucky Day continu'd he singing For Time flies fast and Pleasures glide away No matter for that Sir reply'd Mademoiselle de Grammont we seldom have occasion to repent of having been too Wise or Discreet Do you believe that there is any real Felicity in the enjoyment of the Pleasures of this World I can assure you that I never thought my self less happy than since the time I left the Nunnery where I was before and where I enjoy'd a most delightful Tranquillity both in Body and Mind which in the management of Worldly Affairs is continually distracted by a thousand troublesome Contingences which are daily incident to us poor Mortals during our abode in
bid her have a good Heart telling her My dearest Child you must be inur'd by degrees to the hardships and toils of War your time draws near when you must begin to carry Arms wherefore I would be glad to see you undertake the task with constancy and brave resolution that when you see the Enemy making an Assault nothing may terrify you Let us hear continued he what the Count will say the good Counsels of a valiant Captain who has undergone the toils of Cupid Wars often furnish us with a piece of Morality which may have more influence as to the conversion of a fair Lady than all the insipid moral Doctrine of a Sermon preach'd by Father Crasset Monsieur de Boufflers is much in tke right on 't said the Count he has not bestow d all his time in burning of Villages he has learnt by experience as well as my self how to give good doctrine to young people I am of opinion added he speaking to Mademoiselle de Grammont that when you have made one Campaign under him you will be skilful enough not to stand in need of my Instructions Mademoiselle de Grammont gave no other answer to the Count but by a Smile which appear'd more eloquent at that time than all the Sermons of Father Bourdalou The Marshal her Lover was so charm'd with her Modesty that he could not forbear to rob her of a Kiss Soft soft said Madam de Tilladet you will have playing time enough a Fire that burns too fierce is not lasting a moderate passion is always the most constant and durable By my faith Madam said Monsieur Bouffiers we are only making Matches now that when the day appointed for bombarding the Place comes every thing may be in a readiness Don't you know that I love Expedition if I should march into the Field and should find but one Nail wanting in my Train of Artillery I should be stark mad Then turning himself to Mademoiselle de Grammont his beloved Mistress whom he embrac'd and said he I only desire this one thing of you that you be willing to receive the directions of your General The first Attack is commonly fierce but let not the sight of a little blood dismay you every small wound we receive in the Wars is not mortal If Love does wound us sometimes she is as careful in healing of us and it was not without great reason that Moliere nam'd one of his Plays Love the Physician The Ladies who were dispos'd to laughing having silenc'd Monsieur Boufflers that they might be diverted with the Story the Count had promis'd to tell 'em I am content my Ladies said he and as for Mademoiselle de Grammont and I we will endeavour to profit by it as much as possibly we can The Countess my Wife was but twelve years of Age said the Count when I marry'd her She being so very young had not the opportunity to learn those things which she has been taught since and which she has now at her fingers ends tho she be not now above eighteen Our Nuptial Feast was celebrated at the Marchioness de Brese's my Wife's Mother About an hour before we were to go to Bed I went up into the Chamber where we were to lie that night to inspect the Nuptial Bed which was prepared for us and after I had carefully examined every thing with all the Circumspection imaginable I returned to my Spouse whom I had left in the Hall among our Guests The hour being come when we were to go to bed Wax-tapers were lighted and the Gentlemen and Ladies having taken their leave went every one to their respective Lodgings Some of the Ladies at their departure whisper'd something I know not what in my Spouses Ear which I never have been able to learn since neither from them nor her own Mouth I confess that this put me into some study for a few moments considering with my self what small progress I had made over the inclinations of this young Beauty which seem'd to be born with a general aversion to all Men. Her early years nevertheless gave me some hopes to believe that time which ripens every thing would overcome her stubborn Heart and render it more flexible towards me who omitted nothing to insinuate my self into her good Will but all in vain At last my Spouse being undrest and laid in Bed first according to the usual Custom and I having put on my Night-cap and Wedding Shirt I ordered my Valet du Chambre to withdraw and to shut the door after him which he did When I came nearer to the Bed I heard something stir underneath it which made me suspect that some body was not far off ready to play me a scurvy trick my Wife being as much surprized at it as my self I run all in a fury towards the Table where my Sword lay which having drawn out of the Scabbard I push d with it under the Bed with a design to kill any one that should have hid himself there I was much startled to see the Cavalier du Blese come out from under the Bed begging my pardon a thousand times for his unseasonable curiosity and telling me That he would willingly have given 100 Pistoles if he might have remain'd in the Post where he had plac d himself if he could have done it without being discovered I confess I stood quite amaz'd yet it was impossible for me to forbear laughing heartily when I saw the Cavalier creeping out from under the Bed as black as a Devil without a Perriwig and cover'd all over with dust By my Faith Sir said the Cavalier you have a very good Nose that you could so soon smell out a Rat. Indeed I should have been mightily pleas'd to have been a Spectator of the Engagement and a Witness of your Victory if it had not been for this unlucky accident which has spoil'd all You must know said the Count that the Chamber-pot which stood under the Bed being overturn'd I was about to take it up when I espy'd the Cavaliers Foot whom I told That I did not want either a Second or an Umpire in the Duel I was going to fight and said I to him the Devil take me if I had not run you thro and thro if you had stay'd one moment longer without discovering your self And so continued the Count I took my Gentleman by the Arm and led him out of the Chamber Door This Adventure being over which I then look'd upon no otherwise than fatal to a Man in my circumstances who was amorous even to a degree of Frenzy the only comfort I had left was the hopes of having now surmounted all the obstacles which could by any means obstruct my Happiness in enjoying that young Beauty which I had hitherto esteem'd as the most difficult Conquest in the world Being boy'd up with this assurance I put out the Candles I pull'd off my Breeches and so into Bed I went like a triumphant Hercules who had defeated all his
one day I think it was just the day before our Wedding that he believ'd he should not live long And why so reply'd her Mother Because that he had answer d the young Lady O Lord Mamma I dare not tell it Speak out you Fool cry'd the Marchioness there is none but Women here He told me answer d the Countess that he had a certain Gut that would come out in ... If it be so Mamma I cannot possibly lie with him because I know not what it means At these words all the Ladies fell a laughing as loud as they could for a considerable time But to come to the end of my Story added the Count my Mother-in-law and the rest of the Ladies who were there present in Court as Assistants did so tutor this ignorant Girl and explained this Gut in Terms so lively and natural to her that the poor Child at last was over-perswaded to sacrifice her Maiden-Treasure which she had hitherto so carefully preserv'd so that after six Months Marriage she was made a Wife the Prodigy of our Age and perhaps the most extraordinary one that ever was heard of before The Count having finisht his Relation Madam de Tilladet and the rest of the Ladies taking the Countess de Surlaube on one side ask'd her Whether her Husband had spoke nothing but the truth as to all the circumstances of his Narrative He has been very punctual reply'd the Countess laughing as loud as she could My dear Child said Monsieur Boufflers addressing himself to Mademoiselle de Grammont and how do you like this Story of the Gut shall I be as unfortunate as the Count I am devilish impatient continu d he if any thing like this should happen to me my Wedding-day would be that of my Funeral Sir reply'd Mademoiselle pleasantly if I thought I should act with as good success as the Countess I should take it to be the greatest pleasure in the World to let you languish for some time She accompany'd these words with so charming a smile that the Marshal was easily convinc'd that at her Age she was not so ignorant as Madam de Surlaube had been and that whenever that time should come she would not stop her Ears to his demands The Marshal answer'd her by a thousand amourous looks telling her That he was not ignorant what delight young Ladies would often take to play a spiteful trick with their Gallants I think said he that 't is much more excusable when it proceeds from a Principle of Modesty and Innocency which is natural to so tender an Age. In such a case as this I should be so far from tormenting my self about it that on the contrary I should esteem it as the most delicious and most savory Dish Love can afford us I should then look upon my self to be the Possessor of the whole stock of Charms and sweet Fruits that Love is able to give to a Lover and that I might flatter my self even to an assurance that I was the first who put the Plow into that ground which I think to be the greatest Charm peculiar to a Beauty that never saw day-light before This is so great a rarity continu'd the Marshal in the Age we now live in that such a Mistress is to be accounted a Phoenix Our modern Gallantry in use among Ladies is like an Academy of young Beauties where at the Age of 14 they are so well instructed in these matters that they will scarce refuse a good thing when 't is once offer'd em This is past contradiction said the Count de Surlaube Monsieur de Boufflers Morals tho somewhat remiss come very near the truth and probability pleads strongly for what he has offered Experience has sufficiently taught us that he talks of it like a Master and that the Draught which he has given us of the Intreagues of the fair Sex is done to the Life For my part added he I foresee already that he will have no reason to complain of his Lady s cruelty and that his Happiness will be more compleat at the very beginning than mine has ever been as yet tho thanks to Heaven I have no reason to complain now of her who made me suffer so much before You ought to attribute your Felicity reply'd Monsieur Boufflers to the explication of the Story of the Gut for without that I believe your Lady would have been a Maid to this day Monsieur de Boufflers had scarce spoke these last Words when a Page of Madamoiselle de Grammont s came to advertise him and his Lady that Madam de Maintenon's Coach was at the door This Lady had not seen our Lovers for some days last past and as she of all the rest that were at Court shew'd most concern for their Happiness and had her self been the first that spoke in Monsieur Bouffler's Favour to Mademoiselle de Grammont nothing was transacted in carrying on the Match without her approbation The Marshal and Madamoiselle de Grammont went immediately out of the Room to receive her at the Stair-head she being accompany'd by the Abbot de Tellier Brother to the late Marquess de Louvois Madam de Maintenon at her coming into the Chamber being overjoy'd to meet with so much good Company all the Gentlemen and Ladies of whom we spoke before entertain'd her with all the Courtesie imaginable The Marshal de Boufflers himself presented a Chair to her and the Marchioness de Maintenon having taken her Seat Nephew said he for so she was won't to call him I have some good News to impart to you And what good News pray Madam said the Marshal I just now came from Court reply'd the Machioness where the King told me that his pleasure was that those obstacles which have hitherto obstructed your Match should be removed His Majesty added she is resolv'd to beg in the Campaign very early and therfore will soon have occasion for your Service in Falnders It is for this reason that he will have the Marriage forthwith consummated and that all shall be over in fifteen days I am very glad to bring you these good tidings that both you and Mademoiselle de Grammont may take yorr measures accordingly I don't question but you are already so far advanced into your Mistress's favour that she will not be dissatisfied with this sudden change I know that young Ladies at her Age are not so backward to taste those secret enjoyments which Love offers the first night after Marriage supposing this to be true I believe you both have an equal share in this satisfaction Madam answered the Marshal except I shou d differ from all the World and that my Heart shou d be quite insensible how cou'd I choose otherwise than to be charm'd with the engaging allurements of such a Person as Mademoiselle de Grammont I am already all over in a flame according to my natural disposition and this fire cannot but burn with great vehemency when 't is fed by an object more bright
your self off to the best advantage 't is possible you have some great design in hand Yes Madam reply'd the Marshal kissing her Snow white Hand my design is to please you and effectually to make you sensible of my Passion all naked as it is Oh! no Sir said the Lady 't is possible you may frighten me you had better cover it with somewhat or another Medina who was unwilling to disturb these two Lovers retir'd out of respect to her Kinswoman The Marshal being now left in Company only with his Mistress did so lively represent the vehemency of his Passion in Terms so affectionate and obliging confirm'd by a thousand Oaths and Imprecations that he wou'd Love her as long as he liv'd that at last the fair Spaniard was vanquish'd and having ask'd him with a very tender and Passionate Air Will you never cease to Love me Will you never forsake me She surrender'd the Place which had held out so long against the Marshal's most vigourous Attacks The Marshal had no sooner taken possession of this strong Hold but he repented of the Bargain having found her nothing near so amiable as he had imagin'd before The Spanish Lady's are generally Subject to a great Infirmity for as soon as they have pass'd the Age of Eighteen or Twenty Years they are seiz'd with a continual Flux which is not fit to be touch'd nor so much as nam'd and the worst is that no Remedy can be found against it This was more than sufficient to put our General out of conceit with his Mistress he being the Nicest Man in the World as to Women Indeed he was so dismay'd at this Bloody Encounter that he cou'd scarce conceal his displeasure The Lady was for having him renew the amourous Engagement but he excus'd himself as well as he cou'd telling her that on a sudden he was seis'd with a most violent Head-Ach The Lady was therefore oblig'd to expect the second Rencounter the next time which is as yet to come for he never came near her since that Day He was nevertheless so generous as to make her a Present of some Jewels which he had brought along with him for that purpose as a reward of that Favour which he had receiv'd from this fair Spaniard Donna Olympia with a profound reverence Kiss'd her own Hands which according to the Custom of that Country is as much as to say I accept the Present Nay she appear'd extremely well satisfi'd at first with it looking upon it as a Pledge of her Lover's Passion but she was most grosly mistaken in her aim for the Marshal's Passsion was grown so cool by this time that he wish'd himself at a great distance from the Place where he was Donna Olympia in the mean while began to be more and more sensible of the indifferency of her Lover which made her break out into these Words Did not I tell you before Sir that as soon as you had obtain'd what you so Passionately wish'd for you wou'd not continue to Love me with the same Ardour as before all Men usually loose a great part of their eager Desires as soon as they have tasted the purest and most delicious Pleasures of Love Oh! how much are you chang'd already what is become of that Passion which the Universe was not able to contain What is become of all your most sincere Protestaions what of all your Passionate Expressions The Marshal who began to be afraid that the Lady might play him some scurvy trick or another or perhaps cause him to be Poiniarded before he cou'd get out of the House was fain to set on the best countenance he cou'd and to Caress her with a thousand fair Promises of which he did not intend to keep the least By this Artifice he at last got clear of his Mistress having first made a solemn Promise to visit her as often as she shou'd think convenient Promises made in the Air without the least Prospect of accomplishment except he had lik'd the Game better than he did but what wou'd not a Man say to a Woman when she has lost her charms and is become Burdensome The Marshal being return'd to his Lodgings had now all his Thoughts employ'd how to Decamp with privacy from Puicerda which he now began to nauseate as much as he hadadmir'd it before Have not I done very finely sai'd he to himself to have spent so much time i'dly in an Amourous Adventure which was not worth the pains I took in looking after it Madam Olympia 't was not in your power to retain me long in your Service I was very much mistaken in your Charms You are not engaging enough for a Man of my Humour who hates to Swim in But away with it let us not think of it any more for I begin to be Heart-sick Then calling his Valet du Chambre Champonniere said he hadst thou ever a Spanish Mistress Pray tell me your Adventures The Marshal's Gentleman finding his Master in a Humour to divert himself with him some part of the Night burst out into laughter having soon perceiv'd how he had been treated by this Spanish Lady How now Rascal said the General is this your way to laugh at me as fast as you can Oh! Sir reply'd the Servant laughing as heartily as he did before You have order'd me to make a recital of my amourous Adventures and when I reflect upon some passages of 'em 't is impossible for me to forbear laughing If thy Mistress were a Spaniard said Monsieur de Boufflers without question she gave thee great satisfaction Yes Sir answer'd his Genteleman I have had a touch with most Nations How said the Marshal then thou hast dipt thy Sword in that Current of the Spanish Women What dost thou think of these running Rivulets Truly Sir said he I don't know what to say of 'em but that they are not very Savoury Thou art in the right on 't reply'd the General Let us have no more of 'em or else I shall Spew my Heart out Go bring me up some Wine to recruit my Spirits or else I shall Swoon in good Earnest The Gentleman thought that his Master had only been in jest but he was extremely surpris'd when he saw him instantly fall from his Chair upon the Ground Being in a great Consternation he call'd up the Land-lady who having wash'd his Face very well with fair Water soon brought him to himself again and having caus'd him to be laid in his Bed he rested pretty well for the remainder of the Night Some days after Monsieur Boufflers quitted Catalonia and march'd with the French Army towards the Rhine where he signalis'd himself in several advantageous Rencounters with the Imperialists The two Marshals de Crequi and de Navaille pursu'd their Victories against the Imperial Forces having defeated a considerable Party of their Dragoons and the Marshal de Boufflers gave great Proofs of his Valour in this Engagement which was follow'd by the surrender of the Castle of
England a Woman shou'd commit these extravagancies she wou'd be thought only fit for a Mad-House But it is to be consider'd that in no other place in the World these violent attempts are so frequently put in Execution as there I don't know what hard sentiments they have concerning themselves but this is certain that for a small disappointment 't is often known that they Hang Poyson or Pistol themselves without any sense of thir crime Our General being touch'd as much with compassion as with Love threw himself ather Feet entreating her to tell him the truecauseof that affliction which had inspir'd her with so desperate a Resolution the mark 's of which plainly appear'd in her Countenance The English Lady being somewhat of a haughty temper cou'd at first scarce resolve to discover the Circumstances of her Affairs to Monsieur de Bouffflers looking upon it as a thing very unbecoming herself and as somewhat which cou'd not but most sensibly affect her Honour Nevertheless considering with her self in what a generous and obliging manner she was treated by the Marshal she at last determin'd to make an ingenuous Confession in these Words Is it possible Sir that my ill Fortune shou'd drive me to this point of Extremity in which you see me at present My Husband who scarce deserves that name having left me without Mony and without any prospect of receiving assistance from any Person I have been for some time in this Inn with my Valet du Chambre and my waiting Woman and besides other Necessaries requisite for a Person of my Quality I have not wherewithal to satisfy my Host whom I cannot expect to entertain me Gratis I am quite beyond all Patience to see my self reduc'd to this extremity by the neglect of an ill Husband who She cou'd not proceed the Tears which trickl'd down her Beautiful Cheeks having quite stopt her Speech The Marshal was so touch'd with compassion that immediately he offer'd her his Purse desiring her to make use of it as if it were her own and to shew her that his Words were not bare Compliments as 't is the common Custom of a great many but that his Offers were real he went immediately down to the Host whom he ask'd how much that English Lady who with her Servants Lodg'd in his House was indebted to him The Inn-holder having brought him her Bill he immediately pay'd him what he demanded telling him that he had receiv'd Orders from her Husband Mr. Stone to pay him his Mony and to engage his Word for what ever she shou'd have occasion for in his House for the future In a few Moments after Monsieur de Boufflers sent to his new Mistress a Purse full of Lovis's d'or Embroider'd with fine Pearls on both sides and trimm'd with Ribonds of all sorts of Colours to supply her self with such little Necessaries as she might have occasion for at that time The Marshal discovering in this fair Lady every day new charms was extremely glad of this Opportunity hoping that his Liberality wou'd be repaid him in another Coin that is to say by his Mistresses Favours Is it possible said he to himself that any Husband can be so unworthy thus to abandon a Person of her merit and who is so Charming and Amiable in outward appearance Truly I don't know what may be in the bottom of this matter which perhaps is past my finding out if she shou'd perhaps continu'd he with a Smile have some resemblance to my Spanish Mistress what a disappointment wou'd that be but let it be as it will I don't repent of having given her some assistance at a time when she was just at the point of Despair I have at least done a work of Charity if her Charms shou'd not prove answerable to my expectation If Monsieur de Boufflers was thus employ'd in reasoning with himself my Lady Stone did make no less Reflections upon the Liberality which she had receiv'd from an Officer whom she did not know before she had seen him in the same Place where she Lodg'd Oh! cry'd she being all alone in her Chamber I insensibly engage my self to I know not whom Perhaps this Stranger will scarce be contented with a bare Acknowledgement he appears to me so Passionate that I have all the reason to believe he aims at no less than my Heart Without this prospect which is natural to all Men what cou'd have induc'd him to shew his Generosity to me Oh cruel Husband cry'd this Lady sighing If I part with something which only belongs to you alone remember that you your self are the cause of it For when I reflect upon your Behaviour towards me I find a strong Inclination in me to grant it I beseech thee good God to give me Vertue and Strength enough to resist so powerful a Temptation I foresee by some secret Instinct that I shall not be able to come off a Conquerour in this Engagement My Lady Stone was thus Tormenting her self when the Marshal came into the same Room where she was and after having pay'd his respects and Saluted her he set himself down by her What is it Madam said he that occasions all these troubles Why do you strive to render your self unfortunate in Reflecting too much upon your present Condition Don't let the Spring-season of your Life pass away without Pleasure so charming a Person as you ought to be made sensible of the satisfaction which attends the full enjoyment of the happy Minute If you have the least inclination to Love I know a certain Gentleman so violently charm'd with your engaging Air that he declares he loves you more than his own Life And how come you to know this answer'd the Lady in a Melancholy Tone are you the Guardian of this Gentleman's Heart Yes Madam reply'd the Marshal with a very Passionate look I know him as well as my own self and I will be answerable for his Passion and Constancy and that he shall protest to you that he will Love you as long as he lives You surprise me Sir reply'd the fair Lady pray tell me who is this Gentleman that has such advantageous Thoughts of me do I not know him Madam reply'd the Marshal casting on her a very amourous look He is not unknown to you 't is the same whom you see before you This Declaration of the Marshal's having put our English Lady to the blush he continu'd to make to her all the most sincere Protestations of a violent Passion according to the Custom of most Men at the first rise of their Love The Marshal was so extremely delighted with his growing Passion that he protested with a Thousand Oaths at the Feet of his Mistress that he Passionately lov'd her that he ador'd her that he was Inchanted by her powerfull Charms and a Thousand such like extravagant Expressions Is it posible reply'd my Lady Stone coldly that you shou'd Love me so much as you pretend you do May one rely upon your Words Commonly Persons
of your Character are in Love with most Women more out of a Principle of Civility than Love But continu'd she what is it that I say I cannot but be perswaded that you have some kindness for me since you have dealt so generously with me I will take it then for granted it will serve at least to please my Fancy What advantage cou'd you purpose to your self in deceiving an unfortunate and afflicted Person who desires nothing but Compassion Oh Madam reply'd the Marshal squeezing her fair Hands between his own 'T is I that rather stand in need of Compassion my Love encreases every Moment and if you don't find out a Remedy to appease my pain I am infallibly undone Sir reply'd the Lady Smiling I have a certain Chamber-Maid belonging to me who has a Soveraign Antidote against Love I 'll engage as soon as you do but look upon her you 'll be cur'd of your Distemper O Madam cry'd the Marshal being impatient to see her pray let her come that she may apply somewhat to asswage my Pain The Plaister which she uses reply'd the English Lady facetiously is very large it will cover your whole Body This is a Plaister for the Devil said he but pray let us see it he had no sooner spoke these Words but the Lady call'd Betty which was the name of her Chamber-Maid who was so ugly that she was only fit to make a Bugg-bear to frighten Children withal Her Mouth was so big that it reach'd from one Ear to the other her Nose was very small her Fore-head very low and flat her Eyes vastly large her Hair and the grain of her Skin very course if you touch'd her she felt like a Nutmeg grater besides that she was as Black as a Tawny-moor and her shape was all awry But notwithstanding all this she had a most admirable Head-piece having a ready and well refin'd Wit and was most excellent at Repartees When one heard her talk she made an ample amends for the Deformity of her Body and Face and 't was by this means that she insinuated herself into the favour of her Mistress who had a particular kindness for her The Marshal at first sight of her went two or three steps backwards on purpose to shew his surprise This young Woman who as we have already intimated had a very ready Wit and was well acquainted with this sort of Divertisements was not at all balk'd at it but on the contrary told the Marshal very briskly that this was a certain Proof of her Merit because she had been powerful enough to cause so sudden an Emotion in a Person so brave and Galiant as the Marshal 'T is very true Mistress reply'd Monsieur de Boufflers pray come nearer to me and make me sensible of your Remedy against Love which your Lady has told me that you always carry about you Alass reply'd Betty with a Smile Sir my charms are not powerful enough to cure you of your Love I want that advantage except in seeing me so ill shap'd and so ugly you might take a general antipathy against Women They are not all of 'em so ugly nor so ill shap'd reply'd her Mistress as thou art Betty wherefore I don't believe that the Marshal is resolv'd as yet to renounce his Passion for the fair Sex I conjecture I know a certain Person in the World whom he does not altogether look upon with an indifferent Eye And so do I reply'd Betty laughing For that I know it may be your own self it being very likely that the Marshal is not insensible of your Charms You jeer me reply'd Madam Stone pleasantly what do you say to the cajoleing Language of my Maid said she to the Marshal I say Madam reply'd he that she is absolutely in the right on 't and that she has spoke nothing but what is due to so adorable and so amiable a Person as your self Alass I am only too well convinc'd of the truth of it my Heart having been Wounded by your irresistible Charms O Sir reply'd Madam Stone carelesly why then don 't you wear it in a Scarff I am afraid this poor Heart of yours is so mangl'd ever since you first saw me that it will not hold long together How can it be otherwise Madam answer'd Betty who was very smart upon the Marshal so that he was extremely taken with her Conversation They were about to continue their discourse when Dame Helenemberg the Mistress of the House came in to tell her Guests that in the Evening there wou'd be a Ball at the House of the Bailiff of the Town The Marshal knew so well how to perswade my Lady Stone to go thither with him that she easily granted his Request according to the Inclinations of the English Women who are naturally addicted to Pleasure This German Ball was compos'd of the chief Magistrates of the Place who after they had Eat and Drunk very plentifully and their Musick which was rather confus'd Noise than any thing relating to Harmony having begun to Play they danc'd according to their own Country-Fashion with their Wives and Daughters The Marshal being somewhat concern'd immediately departed and at his return brought along with him some Haut-bois and Pipers belonging to the French Regiments thereabouts who play'd very sweetly and conducted him and his Mistress to the Ball where they danc'd with so admirable an Air that the whole Company stood amaz'd at the graceful performance of these two unknown Persons Dame Helenemberg who had squeez'd her self up in some corner for fear of being known did rub her Hands for joy being not a little Proud that she had the good Fortune to entertain such Guests in her House At last the Ball being ended the Turn-Spits as I suppose all on a sudden made such a clattering noise amidst the Kettles and Frying-Pans and with the Fire Shovels Tongs and other Kitchen-Instruments that the Marshal and his Lady being frighted at it got away as fast as they cou'd to their own Lodgings It was about four a Clock in the Morning when they return'd from the Ball and our Lovers beginning now by degrees to be more and more sensible of the Pleasures of their growing Love resolv'd not to go to Bed that Night but to pass it away in those amourous Protestations which are usually the effects of a most tender Passion The Marshal who wou'd fain in some measure have moderated the Vehemency of his Love found his endeavours so weak and his Mistress's Charms so engaging and powerful that he was constrain'd absolutely to give way to his Passion He thought her at that time more charming than ever which serv'd for nothing else but to render him more unfortunate and to entangle him the more in a Passion which it wou'd not be easie for him to shake off so soon He grew at last Melancholy to that degree that he avoided all manner of civil Society and Conversation One day the Lady having reprehended him for his ill Humour telling
of some other Sciences for two or three Years during which time he became such a Proficient in every one of 'em that he attain'd to the highest perfections surpassing even his Masters especially in the Mathematicks to which his Genius was naturally inclin'd The King having made him soon after a Knight of the Order of the Holy-Ghost he was all of a sudden inspir'd with so much Devotion that he went every day to Mass and to hear Sermons of which he never miss'd one He was wont also frequently at that time to pay his visits to the Jesuits in the Professed House of Paris who by that means became his particular Friends and they prevail'd with him to make a Vow to St. Amable who is in great esteem in the City of Rion in Auvergne both for his antiquity and the great number of miracles which he is said to have wrought This Saint is to be seen in the great Church of that City and it is reported of him that if any one does but touch with a true faith a certain great Tooth which he has it secures him from ever dying of his Wounds receiv'd in the Wars or otherwise as well as from any others got by the biting of mad Dogs or Venomous Beast The Reader may easily judge from thence that the Marshal had rais'd his mind to the highest pitch of Devotion and some began to be of Opinion that he was in a fair way of turning an absolute Bigot if Love which is not a fit Companion for such sort of People and which had always the chief Ascendant over his Heart had not quickly made him change his Inclination and oblig'd him to re-assume his former Liberty Let us now see him go to the Battel of Fleurus which happen'd in the Year 1690 in the Month of June under the Command of the Duke of Luxemburg who was then General over the King's Forces in Flanders No sooner were the Enemies beaten out of the Field but Monsieur Boufflers who had had an ample share in the Victory took his rest in the Arms of a new Mistress who possess'd all his thoughts for some time This was one Mrs. Montberg the Daughter of a certain Flemmish Officer who had been kill'd in the same Battel It must be said to her advantage that never was seen a more beautiful Woman of a brown Complexion in the World and who had a more gracefull haughtiness in her whole Behaviour than she and it was not without a great deal of trouble that the Marshal cou'd find an opportunity to address his Courtship to her The loss of her Father who was one of the best Officers the Allies had in the whole Army had afflicted her to that degree that she refus'd to admit of any Consolation having by his Death been bereav'd of all what she cou'd call her own as having no other Subsistance but what depended absolutely upon her Father's Fortune Monsieur de Boufflers having been inform'd concerning her present Condition by one of her Acquaintance according to his generous inclination which extended it self more particularly towards the fair Sex offer'd her his Purse It was not without great reluctancy that she accepted the offer of a Man whom she suspected did not make his Presents for nothing and the truth is why shou'd any Man shew so much kindness toward a Woman unless with a prospect of receiving some favours They ought not to take the Liberality of their Gallants in any other sense because they very often pay dearly for ' em Our Marshal has often found it so by his own experience and to his Cost But let us return to Mrs. Montberg who by her passionate and Engaging Air had so Captivated the Heart of our General that he has protested to me since that he never was so much in Love in all his Life-time before she appear'd to him so full of charms and sweetness in her whole Deportment besides her Beauty which tho' it was always extraordinary yet appear'd at certain times with such a lustre that it quite dazzl'd his Reason so that in a little time he turn'd stark Fool and her perfect Idolater as he one day when he lay at her Feet was pleas'd to tell her himself You then Love me indeed my dear Boufflers said she very pleasantly Yes my incomparable reply'd the Marshal embracing her but I intend to discount with your Heart for all the sufferings it makes me endure You have Complaisance enough to make me a return of some small Favours but you will not grant me What is it you wou'd have me grant you my dearly Belov'd answer'd the young Lady laughing and interrupting his discourse If I had in my gift the most eminent Offices in the State or any thing else that is worth your acceptance nay if it lay in my power continu'd she with a charming Air to put a Crown upon your Head I protest to you that you shou'd not stay for it till to morrow The weight of that Madam reply'd the Marshal modestly wou'd be too heavy and troublesome for me It is in your power to make me a Present no less precious than that That agreeable Throne environ'd with Purple the sweetest seat of Love added he all transported with Passion is that to which my Ambition leads me This is that Soveraignty which is in your possession and which if you will put into my Hands I 'll make you my Queen and all my desires shall center in you My Scepter shall only be touch'd by your fair Hands and you alone shall have the whole sway and management of all the Affairs of State Mrs. Montberg cou'd not forbear laughing out as loud as she cou'd at the ingenious interpretation which her Lover had made of her Words to whom she answer'd with a smile Sir it is a Talent peculiar only to the French Gentle men to express themselves in so extraordinary a manner other Nations cannot pretend to that subtilty of Wit And pray Madam reply'd the Marshal with a great deal of feigned sincerity what great Subtilty can there be in Expressing things naturally as they are Is there any thing more common among Men than to endeavour to be happy And as it is in your power my Divine Creature to make me the most Fortunate of all Mortals I come here to embrace your Feet and to pray you not to delay any longer my Happiness There is another Thought reply'd the young Lady no less witty and pleasant than the former I cou'd wish my self now a larger share of Wit than I have that I might have the satisfaction of giving you a suitable return to these excellent Expressions Madam answer'd the Marshal you 'll certainly make me a suitable return when you shall vouchsafe to grant my Request And what is it then Sir reply'd the Lady abruptly that you desire for that I see you are not very easily satisfy'd Yes my lovely Creature pretty easily said the Marshal kissing her fair Hands you are not ignorant
your self and tho' her wound appears to be but slight outwardly her Heart is nevertheless most sensibly touch'd by a more dangerous Weapon and Here the Marshal interrupting the young Officer according to outward appearance since you know said he the Countess so well pray deliver to her this Letter which I give you and tell her from me that I most impatiently desire to see her The Lady who admir'd her own dexterity in Personating herself so well as she did took the Letter with a great of Respect to carry it to his Mistress But she was not gone far from the place where she had left the Marshal de Boufflers e'r she retir'd into an adjacent Wood where having unfolded the Mystery of Love with which she was entrusted she read these following Words Dear Countess IF the rigour of my Destiny keeps me one day longer from your sight I must resolve to embrace death but a death a thousand times more cruel to me than that which my Wounds cou'd have procur'd to me Heaven has against my will restor'd me a Life that I might love you more now than ever before But alass how can I be sure whether you Heart continues still the same as to me It 's possible it has chang'd it's inclinations and parhaps some fortunate Rival possesses But oh I dare not enlarge farther upon that Subject lest the very thoughts of it shou'd Kill me in an instant I will rather flatter myself with some sweet hopes which may prolong my Life at least for some time Don't therefore put me out of your Remembrance my most incomparable Queen consider with your self that you have Captivated a Heart which adores and loves you even to an excess of Passion When I receiv'd my Wound in the Heat of the Engagement I than believ'd I shou'd never have seen you again but since I begin to grow better and that I am likely to stay some time longer in this World on purpose to serve my Prince and you I will employ the precious remainder of my days in making you sensible of the sincerity of my Affection Farewell my incomparable and believe that my Love is far surpassing what can be conceiv'd in that kind by any Mortal I remain if I live till to Morrow The most tender and Affectionate of all your Lovers After the Countess had read this Letter which was altogether agreeable to her wishes Is it possible said she to her self that thou my Dearest shoud'st not know me It is four or five days since I have been with thee in the same Tent and does not thy Heart tell thee that it is she that Loves thee Alass I have a great deal of Compassion for thee and I attribute this want of knowing me wholly to thy Distemper which appears to me very violent altho' it seems as if thou woud'st insinuate the contrary And notwithstanding all the pains thou endurest thou still keepest me in Remembrance nay thy Remembrance is founded upon sincerity I am my self an Eye-witness of this secret which nevertheless thou hast put into the Hands of an unknown Person Thy Integrity and eager desire of hearing news from me have made thee hazard all but dost thou not O Soveraign King of my Heart consider unto what dangers thou hast expos'd me and that if my Husband shou'd discover the least of this Passion that I have for thee I am infallibly undone Thou know'st that he abominates Horns and that nothing in the World cou'd touch him so sensibly as to find himself a Cuckold and especially to be so dignify'd by the means of such a one as thee whose singular merits and charms he ought most to dread The Countess was making these and such like other Reflections when the Marshal who had taken a walk into the Wood for alittle Air and being come by chance near the place where she had seated herself understood some part of what she had said Never was any agreeable Surprise greater than this he having immediately known her Voice which was then without disguise Having embrac'd her several times Is it you said he is it you my adorable Angel Unto what dangers do you expose your self for my sake Alass I am at present in an unspeakable pain for you You see my Dearest reply'd she with a languishing tone what one is willing to do to enjoy the sight of an Object one Loves and how a genuine Passion triumphs over all the most frightful Obstacles I have hazarded all to see you and I have Sacrifis'd even my Honour for your sake I am ready to own it Madam said the General kissing one of her pretty Hands which she had given him without a Glove And I protest to you that I at the same time acknowledge my self unworthy of these Favours you bestow upon me I Will endeavour to give you the most sensible and livevely Marks of my Gratitude Some Officers who were at the same time walking in the Wood and knew Monsieur de Boufflers coming up towards 'em broke off the Intercourse of our Lovers for that Time The Countess who was afraid of being discover'd made the best of her way to her own Lodgings being well satisfy'd that she had seen and spoke to her Gallant who was not long without repaying her Visit When this Lady went first from her Lodgings she told her Gentlewomen and the rest of her Domestick Servants That she was going to see one of her Acquaintance who was in a Monastery near Mons which was the Reason that during her Stay with our General which was about Five or six Days they were not disturb'd at her Absence She had made one of her Waiting Gentlewomen whose Name was Gvisson and one whom she had a more particular Respect for than all the rest her Confident in the Business she waited upon her in one Corner of the Wood with her Woman's Apparel which she had there chang'd for the Man's Cloaths he had worn before Thus our Heroine Lady return'd Home to her Lodgings accompany'd only by this Damsel leaning upon her Arm as if she had been the most harmless Creature in the World and as if during her Stay she had employ'd her Time in nothing else but praying with those Religious Sisters for the Preservation of her Husband from the imminent Dangers of War The Marshal de Boufflers after he had got clear from the other Officers that met him in the Wood spent all that Night under most terrible Agonies not knowing what was become of his Mistress whom he had search'd for all over the Forest but no sooner did the next Morning appear but to ease himself of the Trouble which distracted his Mind he mounted on Horse-back steering his Course directly to the Place where he knew his Beloved lodg'd all that Time He found his lovely Countess as yet in Bed who having receiv'd him with incredible Joy and clos'd him between her Arms told him a thousand passionate things in Terms so engaging and charming that they are past
that instant was to send for an able Surgeon who heal'd her Wounds in a little time with so much Skill that not the least Scarr appear'd However the Marshal conceiv'd so great an Aversion toward the Countess that all the World was extremely surpriz'd at it considering to what a degree he had Lov'd her before One evening during the Carnaval the Marquess de Boufflers came in Masquerade to a Ball made by the Order of the Duke de Villeroy of which the Countess having had some notice she also went thither in a disguise and took out our General to Dance with her but he by some secret instinct supposing it to be her excus'd himself and to avoid any further confusion immediately left the Company The next Night was wholly spent by him in running thro' the Ball disguis'd in the Habit of a Satyr with his Page who with her fair Hair spread all over her shoulders Danc'd to the admiration of all the Spectators every one being amaz'd at the becoming Air and Meen of Fransson who pass'd for a young Man among those that did not know her to the great satisfaction of our General who cou'd not forbear laughing at it Not long after Madam de Chatillon Sister of the Marshal de Luxemburg fell desperately in Love with her which was a most pleasant Scene to Boufflers and serv'd as an agreeable Diversion to him for a long time after She never made him a Visit but all her Discourse run upon the excellency of this Page whom she thought as fair as an Angel besides said she that there is somewhat so uncommon and so amiable in his Air that 't is impossible for a tender Heart to resist such engaging Charms 't is very well for you Men that he was not born a Woman for he wou'd certainly have set you all in a flame and burnt you to ashes I must confess Madam reply'd the Marshal with a smile a Beauty so fair as my Page might cause great disorders in the World and therefore prudent Nature having foreseen this evil judg'd it most expedient to make him a Man as he appears to be But Sir said Madam de Chatillon interrupting him and casting a very Passionate look upon Fransson Don't you believe that a Man who is endow'd with extraordinary perfections may cause as many Commotions among our Sex as a fair Lady does among yours Yes very well Madam said our General I am throughly convinc'd that your Hearts are as tender as ours nay that you out do us in certain respects You Love with more constancy and reality whilst we Men are continually upbraided with Levity in changing our Mistresses as often as we please For my part if I were oblig'd to speak sincerely I must confess that I have seen great variety of Countries in the Empire of Venus and have made those Ladies sufficiently sensible of it with whom I have had any Love-concerns for some time For I never set up for much Constancy it being a thing I never was ambitious of An Engagement which lasts above two or three Months becomes burdensome and variety is most agreeable to my Humour especially in matters of Love which nevertheless seldom suits with the Temper of the Female Sex who take a particular Delight and make it a point of Honour to preserve the remainders of an old Passion almost quite worn out meerly to have the satisfaction to say Such and such a one still continues to Love me a convincing proof that my Charms have been so powerful as to keep him in Chains even to this very Day Truly Sir reply'd the Lady you speak very favourably of our Sex when you tell us That you take 'em to be more Constant than yours We are at least as fickle as you and if it were not for a certain kind of Modesty inseparable from our Sex believe me we shou'd be as forward to seek for new Gallants as you are to find out fresh Beauties I know not what to say to it Madam said the Marshal laughing this I see plainly that none in this World can be free from Faults if Changeableness is to be counted so Fransson who was almost tir'd with hearing her thus Prattle without intermission and knowing that Monsieur de Boufflers paid her a great deal of Respect more out of Policy than any thing else went into a Room over head from whence through the Clefts of the Planks she pour'd some dirty Water upon her Head-Dress of which she was the nicest Woman in the World and which was always exactly set in the Quills whilst she affected to imitate the motions of a Puppet Monsieur de Boufflers seem'd to be very angry with his Page chiding him and calling him an awkward Fool. But the Lady immediately took Fransson's part telling the Marshal That 't was of so little consequence that he ought not to chide so pretty a Creature as that about it especially since it was done by mischance without any malicious Intent No Madam reply'd the Page with a great deal of affected Simplicity It was my Master's Ape that in running after me overthrew the Water-bowl We are Play-fellows together and I often suffer for his Tricks of which 't is impossible to break him She spoke all this with so much seeming Innocency that she charm'd Madam Chatillon to the highest degree who went home more amorous than ever She had no sooner enter'd her own House but having first chang'd her Head-cloaths and Linnen she lock'd her self up in her Closet to make Reflections upon her growing Passion The Marshal after she was gone ask'd Fransson Whether she had spilt the Water upon the Duke of Luxemburg's Sister on purpose Yes my Dearest reply'd she embracing him I had only a mind to be rid of this prattling Creature who is continually Talking without intermission You are an unlucky Baggage reply'd the General with a Smile thus to abuse a poor Gentlewoman who shews so much Affection towards you O reply'd Fransson that is because she verily believes me to be a Man but if she shou'd go about to search me she wou'd soon be convinc'd to the contrary so that is behoves me to take a great deal of care not to let her come thereabouts for in regard that she has no great share of Discretion it wou'd not be long e're she wou'd divulge the Matter to all the World I only wonder that the Marshal her Brother has not found out the Mystery before this time by the help of his Magical Art Indeed I am sorely afraid of that old Devil as often as I see him My pretty little Creature said the Marshal he has the misfortune to be a Scare-crow to the handsome Ladies he never has had any success in Love concerns I don't know by what means he insinuated himself into the favour of the Countess de Soissons she being the only Woman that ever lov'd him in his Life-time as he has often told me with his own Mouth not without much regret he being
necessity follow that according to your own description it cannot be so vehement except it be upon the Paper where in my Opinion it acts with its utmost Energy I am willing nevertheless to believe thus much for your sake that there may be left some small remainders of your Heart which you are ready to offer me as a second-Hand Sacrifice In return of this your fine Present I will also promise to you so much of my Inclination as is suitable to it I mean so far as to accept it This ought to be taken as something not fit to be despis'd for you know Sir that even the least Boon that a Lady grants to a Gentleman immediately is dignify'd with the Title of a Favour which is commonly represented through a magnifying Glass much bigger than it is really intended But let it be as it will I am willing to bestow somewhat upon it to have the satisfaction of hearing it said that you have some Affection for me and that at present I am the sole Mistress of a Heart which formerly was shar'd among so many Beauties The Marshal having read and kiss'd the Letter a thousand times over found it very witty and extremely well writ How cry'd he laughing who has made you so well acquainted with my former Amours You have a very pretty way of upbraiding me very wittily with all my former Mistresses Ha! I don't dislike this Humour of yours for out of what you say I am sufficiently convinc'd that you don't hate me And the last Reserve which you offer me of some part of your Inclinations tho' but very small at present is nevertheless very acceptable to me Time I don't question will provide for the rest and abate much of your Cruelty While the Marshal was thus talking Judith came into his Chamber with a pair of Point de Venice Ruffles which were some Days before torn in pieces in one of their amorous Skirmishes Here Mr. Dragoon said she throwing 'em at his Face these are the Remnants of your fine Ruffles which I have sticht together as well as I cou'd How now you little sawcy Baggage answer'd Boufflers where are you Manners Is this your way of speaking to a Gentleman I will promise thee that to break thee of this familiarity I 'll make use of a good Birch-broom I am not ignorant that when a Man and a Woman have been so closely acquainted as we Love knows no inequality nevertheless I wou'd have you keep your self at some distance for very good Reasons And I Sir reply'd the young Wench wou'd have you do the same thing with respect to me Pray have a care another time not to make me Dance stark naked without a Shift round your Chamber and then to pretend to put in backwards something which I did not care shou'd O what a pretty sort of Clyster you were about to apply to me And what great matter is there in all this you wanton Slut cry'd the General I was applying it in the right place and where it does most good I know very well whereabouts thou art now thou wou'dst have me put it in another place No question reply'd Judith because that is the proper place where such Applications ought to be made Well well then said the Marshal throwing her upon his Bed let us try whether I can Syringe you right there or not Hold hold a little Sir said Judith giving him three or four good Poults with her double Fist upon his Back What the Devil are you going to do Your Tools are soon ready you might have ask'd first whether mine were so too You Gentlemen of the Province of Picardy are so brisk and forward but I wou'd have you not be so over-eager The Marshal in the mean while little minding what she said advanc'd a-pace and that so furiously that he drew Blood from the poor Girl who then began to cry for her Maiden head which as she said she had kept entire till that time The Land-lady coming some Hours after into the Chamber to make the Bed found upon the Sheets some few Drops or Spots the Marks of a lost Virginity which made her not doubt any longer but that Monsieur Boufflers was wont to kiss his Laundress The Woman being acquainted with Judith's Mother told her all that she knew concerning the Matter and that she believ'd the General had debauch'd the silly Wench Her Mother who was a Herb-woman in the lesser Green-Market and who pretended to be very careful of her Daughters Honour left all her Herbs and Seeds running the same Evening directly to the Marshal's Lodgings with one Hand on her side and a great Stick in the other where she thus began to accost him I wou'd fain know good Sir with what Impudence you cou'd attempt to debauch my Daughter whom I have brought up with so much care I wish that S. Martin who hears me may punish me severely for all my Sins if I don't tickle your Codpiece except you restore my Daughter's Honour a Pox on your damn'd Tricks The Marshal burst out a Laughing very heartily And Mother Gobille this was the Herb-woman's Name said he which way wou'd you have me restore your Daughter's Honour whom you believe I have Truly these sorts of Breaches are never to be repair'd I know that as well as you good Sir said she raving for Madness but then I 'll make your Purse pay for it What! shall I see my Child turn Strumpet and get nothing by the Bargain No before George added she lifting up her Stick be you never so much a Marshal over the King's Armies I 'll lay this over your Head except Hold hold Dame Gobille cry'd the Marshal taking hold of her Arm don't be so furious how much do you demand for your Daughter's Maiden-head You must let me have a Penny-worth because perhaps I had it not all entirely Then you own you had it my good natur'd Friend reply'd the Woman with her Eyes rolling in her Head I 'll swear you shall pay for 't or else I shall seise on your Field-Equippage which is all you are worth in the World And how dost thou know my dear Bird answer'd Boufflers that that is all what I am worth Who has given thee an account of my Circumstances Thou art very impudent to treat a Gentleman of my Quality so rudely Get thee gone for an impertinent Piece as thou art thou deserv'st to be soundly cudgell'd with the same Stick thou hast the Impudence to lift up against me Pay me ery'd the Herb-woman as loud as she cou'd pay me for my Daughter's Maiden-head or else I 'll go to my Lord Arch-bishop who will make you pay dearly for it This Holy Man knows the true value of a Virginity You Soldiers are so inur'd to pillaging and ravishing whilst you are in the Army that you make no Conscience of it at home She cou'd not utter these last Words without a whole Flood of Tears so that our Marshal taking some Compassion of
these Terrestrial Mansions If my Brothers had not engag'd me to come and live with an Aunt of mine who upon her Death-Bed made me promise her to Marry I wou'd never have left it O cry'd the Marshal embracing her I am overjoy'd my most lovely Creature to understand from your own Mouth that you are resolv'd to Marry What a happy Man will he be added our General transported with passion who shall be the possessor of so incomparable a Lady Therefore I must go to consult the Oracle at Versailles Madam Maintenon to know whether this shall be my Destiny Mademoiselle de Grammont who very well understood his meaning as to this familiar Oracle which is very advantagious to its Favourites cou'd not forbear laughing and said she to her Lover You have free access to this Sibyl without the assistance of any Mediator you are more in her favour than any one at Court and no Question she will tell you your Destiny without dissimulation May Heaven be propitious to me I will go to consult her to morrow Madam answer'd the Marshal de Boufflers but it must not be without your good Company you shall also learn your Destiny from this Oracle That is the least of my Concerns reply'd Mademoiselle de Grammont carelessly let Heaven dispose of me as it thinks fit O what a good Christian O what a pretty Child is this said the General who leaves her self altogether to the disposal of Providence there are but very few Persons in our Age who are so careful of the Welfare of their Souls and are dispos'd to take so good a Resolution I must attribute it in some part to your Holy Mothers the Vrselines among whom you have been educated and who have inspir'd you with these noble Sentiments When I see the Abbot de Bonne Avanture I will not forget to acquaint him how prudent and devout you are I suppose he will not be displeas'd at it Sir reply'd the young Lady as she was just arising to meet Mademoiselle de Pontriant one of her Acquaintance who was come to give her a Visit The manner of Conversation being in an instant chang'd with the Company they began to be much more Jovial than before For this Young Lady being of a very frolicksome Humor wou'd needs divert 'em with a Story of a Servant-maid of hers who being Heart-sick for a Sweet-Heart the young Lady told her Yes yes Echalotte he will shortly come to see thee For I have been told that he is already upon the Road coming on purpose to give thee a Visit I pray God that the Holy S. Miclotie may safely conduct him hither Do you say so Madam reply'd the poor Wench and holding up her Hands I will said she say a Pater Noster and an Ave Mary for him which she actually did and that too with so much Innocence and Devotion that every one was amaz'd at it A little after she came to her self I left her and they tell me since that she is pretty well recover'd The Marshal de Boufflers and Mademoiselle de Grammont looking at one another laugh'd heartily at the Story of Mademoiselle de Pontriant who having diverted 'em for some time longer with such like Adventures took her Leave of our Lovers whom she left at liberty to renew their former Discourse But the Marshal having soon after recall'd to memory his intended Journey to S. Cyr left his Mistress and went directly from thence to pay a Visit to Madam Maintenon No sooner had he enter'd this Lady's Closet introduc'd by Sister Nicolle but said he Madam I am come hither to consult you no otherwise than an Oracle or some great Deity whose Power it is to dispose of me my whole Destiny being solely put into your Hands Pray tell me whether I shall be happy or unhappy and whether I shall obtain for my Spouse a certain charming Lady of your Acquaintance who relies upon your Decision of her Fortune looking upon you as her Governing Planet from whence she expects nothing but a favourable Aspect and benign Influences And pray Sir reply'd Madam Maintenon who is this Person who puts so much Confidence in me I 'm extremely oblig'd to her for the good Esteem she has of that mean Ability I have to serve her but I am not so skilful as you imagine I did not at my Birth receive that Gift of Prophecy How Madam reply'd the Marshal can you be ignorant of that Beauty over which you have so powerful an Ascendant she does nothing without your prudent Counsels and you are the very Soul that guides her Inclinations Don't you know Mademoiselle de Grammont Yes Sir said the Lady she is a very charming Person for whom I have a most singular Respect and whom I shou'd be ready to serve upon all occasions Is it her then continu'd she my dear Child whom you are desirous to have for your Spouse Truly I see you are endu'd with a discerning Judgment I can assure you that you have made a Choice not unbecoming your self for besides that she is vastly rich she is very well look'd upon at Court for her extraordinary Endowments which make her to be admir'd by every one Madam said Boufflers with somewhat of Impatience all my Felicity depends upon your Favour in regard that she has sent me to you to know whether this Match is like to be prosperous on my side She referrs her self entirely to your Determination You are in Jest Sir reply'd Madam de Maintenon with a smile you speak thus to satisfie your own Inclinations which are wholly bent upon this Lady Mademoiselle de Grammont is a young Lady who has a great deal of Wit and perhaps told you this to free her self from your amorous Importunities Believe me Sir she her self is not destitute of Subtilty she knows very well what she has to do without consulting me as her Oracle If nevertheless it lies in my Power to do you any Service with her I am ready to do it with all my Heart for several Reasons You must manage her softly and by degrees she being of a sweet and quiet Disposition don't overload her with Complements as it is natural for you Gentlemen to do when you make Love to Women without considering whether it be suitable to their Humour or not I give you this Advice as to a Friend for whom I have some concern You know that you have the Repute to have play'd the Gallant a little too much in your younger Years and perhaps something of it may be come to her Ears as well as your late Adventure with the Laundress She has given me once already a Touch as to that reply'd the Marshal but I am in good Hopes that this unfortunate Accident will not make any great Impression upon her Mind and that she will bury in Oblivion the rest of my Amorous Trespasses which I have unluckily committed in former Time I much question it Sir reply'd the Lady for she has always been educated
That she cou'd not imagine who he shou'd be but that he resembl'd as much as one Brother does another the Person she had spoke of before O! reply'd the good Woman embracing her I have heard it talk'd of among us that you are going to be Marry'd to that Monsieur Boufflers who makes so much noise in the World Indeed it is much discours'd of said she my Friends are busie in making up the Match if it comes to a conclusion you shall be at the Wedding That is evident of it self answer'd she What a Child that I have so carefully Nurs'd shou'd she not let me have a share in that merry day Alas if your dear Father the late Marshal de Grammont God bless his Soul had been alive I shou'd have sat at the upper end of the Table Ay marry shou'd I because he had promis'd it me a great while ago Don't trouble thy self upon that account Foncette reply'd Mademoiselle de Grammont taking her by the hand thou shalt certainly be there tho' not just at the upper end of the Table for thou know'st that that belongs to the Mistress of the Feast all my Kindred have a kindness for thee for my sake When she had spoke these words she put a Piece of Gold in her Hand and so went in her Coach with her Companions and an Aunt of hers directly taking their way to Paris But the Marshal de Boufflers who had watch'd their coming back upon the road accosting 'em on foot with one Servant only they desir'd him to come into their Coach Mademoiselle de Grammont having ask'd him what cou'd induce him to take so long a walk I do not very well know Mademoiselle said he rubbing his Forehead and looking upon her with a passionate Eye those Commotions which Love has rais'd in my Heart have such strange Influences over my Spirit that I think the solitary Deserts and frightful Forests the most suitable to my Humour The Ladies who were present did not in the least question but that this Complement was address'd to Mademoiselle de Grammont who at this time had the least share in it his Mind being at that instant taken up with the Beauty of his Country-damsel whom nevertheless he was fain to abandon at least for some time for fear of spoiling the whole Business if the Hony-Pot shou'd be discover'd In the mean while finding that by the overflowing Heat of his Love he had spoil'd the Country-damsel's Shape he thought it most convenient to provide her a Husband before it was too late and having found out a Water-man of his Acquaintance belonging to the River Seine he gave him 20 or 30 Pistoles as a Portion with his Wife to make him some amends for his Horn-work which he afterwards took care to make a regular Fortification by adding several new Bastions and Half-moons in the Front of the Place Some Weeks after Mademoiselle de Grammont who had not yet forgot the beautiful Country-damsel she had seen at Boulogn talking of the Gallantries of the Count de Harcourt whose Mistress this young Woman's Mother had been told the Marshal that she had seen there a certain Man as like him as cou'd be in all respects except in his Cloaths which were very ordinary The Marshal who otherwise is not very shamefac'd blush'd at these words his Heart accusing him of Treachery the common vice of Men and our fair Lady having observ'd his Colour to go and come Ha! said she one while a Flush appears in your Face and anon you grow pale again Sir surely you have had a finger in the Pye as the saying is and indeed your looks betray your Guilt And what Guilt pray Mademoiselle reply'd the Marshal No less than high Treason said she with a smile Possibly you have infring'd that fidelity which you have so often sworn to me you wou'd keep inviolably Certainly my most charming Creature answer'd the Marquess de Boufflers you are only in jest and throwing himself at her Feet is it posible said he for you to imagine that any thing in the World cou'd appear to me more worthy of all my care and that does better deserve the entire disposal of my Heart than you O! do me more Justice or else I shall not be able to live any longer Then I wou'd have you live said she altho' possibly I might be mistaken yet I am willing to believe you the most innocent of all Men. Can any thing be parallel'd to my present happiness cry'd the Marshal transported with Joy Since I have met with a Person endu'd with so much Good Nature and Generosity and capable of curing her self so soon of the Distemper of Mistrustfulness which is certainly the greatest Evil that can befal any one in this World For either it is requisite to relye upon a Confident or not and if one cannot put trust in a Friend what satisfaction can there be in this Life You say very well Sir reply'd the young Lady but you 'll allow that if one loves a Friend one is very unwilling to lose him and that is the true cause of Mistrustfulness Then you own you love me a little said the Marshal looking upon her very tenderly At this very Moment my adorable Deity it is that I can properly call my self happy And do you question it Sir reply'd Mademoiselle de Grammont is it possible to marry a Man without loving him Indeed that is a thing I cou'd never do I shou'd not be of the same mind as some of our light House-wives are who Marry a Man meerly to serve 'em as a Cloak for their extravagancies Your Gallants continu'd she will find very slender entertainment with me When I am Marry'd my Husband is to be my All in All and I shou'd think my self very happy if I were sole Mistress of his Affections And as I never can love any Man besides him whom my Destiny has provided for me so he ought not to doubt but that I shall always be entirely at his Devotion And is it easie to be believ'd Mademoiselle reply'd Boufflers that a Person so adorable at your self whose singular Merits are so well known to all the World and who has been always surrounded with so many Adorers shou'd never as yet have had a kindness for any Gentleman before Sure your Heart must needs be made of a very hard sort of Metal to have been Proof against so many Sighs and Tears as have been so lavishly bestow'd upon you Certainly 't is almost past belief considering you are so Lovely so Engaging and Transcendently Beautiful Nothing is more true than what I have told you Sir reply'd the fair Lady and I did not deliver my Mind with so much freedom on purpose to be complemented by you but only to let you know that I shall for ever place all my Joy and Felicity in preserving my Heart entire for him who has so much deserv'd it But now the time of Courtship being pass'd it was thought convenient to come to the Consummation of a Match in which the Court took so much concern and the Marshal was preparing to go to Church with Mademoiselle de Grammont which he did one Morning early at six a Clock when they were Marry'd by the Archbishop of Paris in the Church of our Lady The Ceremony being over and the Marshal thinking himself now at the very point of casting Anchor in the Port of Felicity he cou'd not without a great deal of affliction understand from Mademoiselle de Grammont that she was not at present in a condition to go to Bed with him being disturb'd at that time with a certain Infirmity incident to all young Women once a Month The Marshal wou'd have made a Jest of it but his Lady being positive in her Resolution he was so Complaisant as to languish three Days longer The next Day after the Wedding a great number of Persons of Quality who were invited to a sumptuous Feast and Ball that was to be that Evening came to Congratulate our Marshal for the happy Minutes he had enjoy'd the Night before with his Spouse whom they look'd upon as a Person so full of Charms as to be capable of giving all possible satisfaction as to what Men can imagine most delicious in Love But he who had not as yet tasted of the Sweat-meat receiv'd their Complements with so much coldness and indifferency that the whole Company was much surpris'd at it The Count de Montal at last unto whom the Marshal as to a most intimate Friend had told the business unfolded the Riddle to some who made themselves very merry with it in our General 's presence The Marriage being at last consummated with a great deal of satisfaction on both sides they receiv'd for 8 or 10 Weeks successively the Visits of most Persons of Quality at Court and the Marshal after having reap'd the first Fruits of the Matrimonial State was by vertue of his Majesties special Command oblig'd to go to Flanders not without a most sensible regret of being forc'd so soon to quit his adorable Spouse FINIS
Mademoiselle de Grammont the whole World looking upon you as the most fortunate Lady in Europe You are belov'd by a great Monarch who does nothing without your Advice and who does every thing to please you In saying thus I avouch nothing but what is allow'd of by all the World O Mademoiselle said this Lady consider that all that glisters is not Gold I often think of a certain Proverb which was in use a long time before I was born and which I find to hold true still That no Condition of Men is free from Troubles and Anxieties It is very true what the Princess de Conde told me the other Day That a mean Shepherdess often receives more satisfaction in the enjoyment of her innocent Pleasures than the greatest Lady in the Kingdom It is not always Worldly Grandeur and Lustre that makes us happy in this Life or that we ought to look upon as our Soveraign Good I don't disagree with you Madam answer'd the young Lady but I hope you will not also deny but that an eminent Station in this World is very agreeable to Mankind And I tell you Mademoiselle said the Marshal abruptly to put an end to your moral Doctrin which carries us too far from our purpose that of all the Pleasures that this Life affords Love is the sweetest I mean when one Loves sincerely and is belov'd again for if Love be not reciprocal I am not for it as knowing that it is so far from being delightful that it is nothing else but a continual Misery All the World is for Pleasure reply'd Madam de Maintenon we Mortals scarce think of any thing else not considering that both they and we pass away like a Dream and that one day we must all be accountable for our Actions and you Gentlemen of the Blade don't think that you will be exempted from it Good faith answer'd the Marshal with a great deal of indifferency I don't overload my self with those things I lay 'em all as often as I go to Confession upon my Father-Confessor's Back and that is broad enough to bear ' em This good Religious Father as soon as he finds the Pence come in tells me always that he will find out means to cleanse me from my Sins that I shall appear as white as Snow tho' I were as black as a Chimney-stock before You are very happy in your Father-Confessor reply'd the Lady for our Father la Chaise does not tell us so He talks of nothing else to us but Penances and Mortifications and at last of all perhaps he will tell you We are uncertain what will become of us But pray where cou'd you find out such a Father-Confessor who is so favourable to you Soldiers who seldom believe Heaven or Hell Madam reply'd Boufflers I found him out by good chance yet he belongs to the Profess'd House of Jesuits in Paris and for my part I was never so curious as to enquire after his Name provided he does but grant me Absolution of what they call Sin I don't trouble my Head any farther This is truly living like a Cavalier answer'd Mademoiselle de Grammont laughing outright Madam may very well say that you Officers of the Army believe neither Heaven nor Hell O Lord Sir into what Errors do you run head-long the very thought of it makes me tremble O Mademoiselle said Boufflers we are not so irreligious as you imagine 't is a sort of vulgar Error which has prevail'd throughout the World to our disadvantage I hope to see Heaven as soon as one of your most Religious Zealots I have a good stock of Indulgences which I have pick't up in all Parts of Europe enough to serve my self and all my Dragoons Make much of 'em Sir answer'd Madam de Maintenon for they may stand you in good stead when you are in Purgatory where you may be in danger to burn all your life-time without a good Preservative I mean your Soul which will never perish By my Faith Madam you frighten me said the Marshall steping some paces backward pray let us talk no more of these everlasting Flames they put me in a fright These little pretty Devils that possess our Hearts are far more agreeable I acknowledge it Sir reply'd the Lady but these are often the occasion of our eternal Sufferings In the mean while let us implore Heaven to preserve us from them and let us alter the Scene for I perceive that this too much disturbs you Our Ladies then being again gone into their Coach and our Marshal having remounted his Horse they return'd to St Cyr from whence Monsieur Boufflers accompany'd his Mistress to her own House where having taken his leave of her he went to sup that evening with some of his Brother-Generals They having observed a certain paleness in his countenance ever since he courted Mademoiselle de Grammont the Count de Montal who was among the rest at the Table began thus to address himself to the Company If Men were subject to the Green-sickness I should be apt to believe that the Marshal de Boufflers was troubled with it But since this Distemper is not incident to us Men I will speak no more of that I am rather inclin'd to believe said the Duke de Villeroy that it is his Maiden-head which sending up some Vapours to his Brain causes this paleness in his Face 'T is high time to marry him lest his Distemper should prove mortal It is a great while Gentlemen reply'd the Marquess de Boufflers since my Maiden-head is flown up into the Air and if it be there still I believe it to be a good way off The Devil take me if that be the cause of my paleness or else I am strangely deceiv'd in my self for I am sure I have given it over and over a thousand times if I should shew you a List of all my Mistresses you would be convinc'd of the truth of it O the very thoughts of it tickle my fancy at this very moment continued he with a passionate Air. I am transported with the very conceit of it Sir Sir said the Count de Montal addressing himself to the Duke de Villeroy and pulling him by the sleeve let us deal a little more charitably with our friend I see his colour change our discourse may put his Animal Spirits into such a ferment as to make him faint away Some Wine here said he to one of his Footmen some Wine here for the Marshal de Boufflers come Sir drink to your own inclinations Well then reply d the General pulling off his Hat Here is a Health to that charming Beauty which I admire You should rather have said reply d Valleroy laughing a Health to all those fair Ladies you love for I am of opinion that you have a good many of them in all Parts and I am also apt to believe that since you have served the King you have never been present at the besieging of any Town but that at the same time you have
conquer'd a Heart and forc'd it to pay you Hommage Sir reply'd the Marshal you are pleas'd to honour me beyond my deserts in enrolling my Name among those of your great Conquerors My amorous and warlike Expeditions are neither of them so considerable as you think fit to represent 'em and my most glorious Love-exploits have terminated in the Conquests of certain pretty young Damsels who were not undeserving of what pains I took for ' em But I have now laid aside all these former slight Engagements I am resolved to be wiser for the future and wholly to devote my self to one Mistress whom I intend for my Spouse if I can attain to that good fortune I know that the sighs of an old Lover seldom find good reception among Ladies They are commonly look d upon as your ancient Slaves who have nothing to do but to wear their Fetters rarely meeting with the lucky minute Ha! Now you speak of the critical minute said the Duke de Villeroy if I had been inclined to make use if it a very fair opportunity presented it sels three or four days ago when walking over the new Bridge a pretty young Fan-flap pulling me by the Sleeve whisper d me Have you a mind to be merry to night my Lord I had a great mind to do it but That But Sir said the Marquess de Boufflers laughing stopt your passage Yes indeed so it did reply d the Duke I was afraid I should be pepper d off for all my Life-time We often pay at too dear a rate for such sorts of Commodities Nevertheless she was the best humour d Wench that ever I saw Surely answered the Count de Montal if she were so charming a Creature I wonder how you could forbear I believe you were fain to put a great force upon your inclination I ll lay you a Wager if the Marshal de Boufflers had been in your place he would not have been so cautious as you and I am apt to believe that this perhaps may be the cause of his pale countenance No indeed Sir reply'd he very seriously it was never my humour to meddle with such sort of Cattel I had always an aversion to them because I cannot endure to go into the Country upon that account If all Mens stomachs were turn'd against 'em as much as mine is they would be all thrown over the Bridge into the Seine without taking the trouble to send them to the Plantations in Canada and other places where they communicate their pestilent Distemper to those poor Wretches who have the misfortune to deal with ' em By this time the intended Match between the Marshal de Bouflers and Mademoiselle de Grammont began to make a great noise among the peeple of the greatest quality at Court Our two Lovers frequently received Visits of the Ladies where the chief entertainment was of nothing but Gayety and gallant Diversions Repartees one of the best exercises of Wit were not wanting in those Intercourses which sometimes were put so close that it turn'd to ridiculing one or another of the Company and tho some of them were very smart yet were they so well manag'd that none could take any exception One day among the rest the Count de Surlaube had his share of it He had marry'd Mademoiselle de ... Daughter to the Marchioness de Brese who was not above 12 years of age when she was engag'd to her Husband A very tender age indeed to endure the fatigues especially the first night of a Husband of such a bulk as the Count was he being one of the fattest and most robust Gentlemen in France The Marshal de Boufflers having a mind to divert the Company and addressing himself to the Count ask'd him How he could possibly overcome so difficult an enterprize Sir answer'd the Count As great a General as you are I am very well convinc'd that if you had been in my place you would have sooner chose to undertake the Conquest of one of the most considerable Forts in Flanders At these words all the Ladies that were present burst out aloud into a'laughter But the Count who is a very pleasant Companion thus continu'd his Discourse Monsieur Boufflers we shall have shortly the opportunity to see which way you 'll go about it if you 'll permit me to teach you some Lessons as to this particular I only desire your leave to hold the Candle whilst you perform the operation If you should perhaps be deficient in some formalities I promise you I will be your Assistant if it may be without offence to Madamoiselle de Grammont who could not forbear smiling at it Signior Count reply'd Monsieur Boufflers You are come to that age that you cannot but be sensible that all you are able to do in such a case as this is only to assist me with your good Counsel And if we may give credit to the common report you could not at that time pass the Ditch without a great deal of difficulty Nay I have heard it affirmed for truth that you were not able to make your self Master of the Counter scarp till six months after the Trenches were open'd If this be true I must confess it is one of the most famous Sieges that we have known of and if you had not received Succors from the Relations of the Countess your Lady it is a great question to me whether you would not have been oblig'd to raise the Siege The Countess who was present during the Contest blusht at this Discourse but this Colour which is so natural to all civil Women being a little gone she did like the rest who laugh'd all as heartily as they could The Count then resuming the Discourse To compleat your Diversion Ladies said he I will give you an exact History of what past between my Spouse and me the first night after our Wedding The Marchioness de Choisi a very grave Matron told him That the Ladies would not be against it provided he would be cautious in offering any thing that might be offensive to the fair Sex Ladies said the Count In case I tell you nothing but what is true and that I give you a faithful Relation of the whole History I don't question but you will pardon the rest The Countess my Spouse who is here present shall engage for me as to that particular and I give her free leave to silence me if I speak one word of untruth Well well let us have it then unanimously cry'd the Ladies except Mademoiselle de Grammont who being the only Maiden Gentlewoman in the Company whisper'd her Lover the Marshal de Boufflers in the Ear That she was afraid that this story would make her uneasie that she foresaw the Count was preparing to give a relation so circumstantial as to those matters as would make her colour rise in her Face because she was upon the point of being marry'd her self and might perhaps be subject to the same frailties But Monsieur de Boufflers