her to her Faâ—â—ers door and confirm'd by her going in there he was strangely confounded but yet imagining that possibly there might be some other family in that house he still justify'd her in his thoughts till he should be inform'd how it was But the Neighbours having satisfy'd him of the contrary as also the Taylor he was resolv'd not to be convinc'd unless he could see even what she did there with his own eyes To which purpose he goes himself to that honest place where he soon got acquaintance and for his Money they brought him a Girl he would not ask for another for fear of giving suspicion but paid her very generously and so from that time past for one of their best Customers The next day he came again and having desir'd them to show him something that was extraordinary they brought him the person he wisht for or fear'd rather for at the sight of her he was so toucht as made him cry like a Child and going out without speaking one word to her took Horse and rode home to his own house without seeing so much as Monsieur De Marillac But it is not so easie a thing to get out of the hands of the Parisians and my Father having had the discretion notwithstanding all that had been said to him to sign the Contract they fetcht him back sore against his will to clear himself of the Ecclesiastical Court where they had obtain'd a Sentence against him for two thousand Franks with Damages and Interest He never paid any thing in his life with so ill a will wherefore he made an Appeal to the Parliament and consulted with his Lawyers seeing he was like to be cast but all this did but encrease both his sorrow and his debt for the same trick that had helpt him before undid him now and instead of his fine of two thousand Franks he was forced to pay three thousand Tho he was incorrigible after the first mischance every body thought that on the addition of this adventure he had done with the thoughts of marrying But it being decreed as I said that I 〈◊〉 have a Mother-in-law and that one as bad as possible he married a Person of Quality in the Country who so master'd his temper that she was no sooner come home but I was turn'd out of doors and my Nurse too I was carried back to Olinville on purpose as I suppose that as that place had been fatal to my Mother it might be no better to me I was kept there a whole year before my Nurse ever heard a word from my Father tho she had writ several Letters to him and her Husband had gone himself to his House but at last one of his Carters passing near the Town sent to tell my Nurse that he had order to leave with her about twelve Bushels of Wheat As if that had been enough to satisfie her for my keeping and to avoid being askt for Money they let me lye there another whole year without enquiring whether I was alive or dead The poor people with whom I was notwithstanding all this us'd me like their own Child whether taken with the little diversions of my behaviour or because they had no Children themselves I know not for they could have no other reason for it My Father in the mean time forgot me with less difficulty for that he had one Son already by my mother-in-Mother-in-law and she was ready to lye down of another yet he could not avoid being often askt by the Neighbours what was become of me my Mother had her answer readier than my Father who was something puzzl'd with these questions and would reply briskly that I was well but they did not fetch me home because I should not bring the memory of my Mother into his mind none but Sots could be wheedl'd with such an answer and my Mothers Relations living above eighty Leagues off and having no body to regard me I continu'd three years longer with my Nurse and I believe should have been there still had it not been for Monsieur de Marillac who seeing me at Mass at Olinville asked notwithstanding the poor plight I was in if I was not his Cousin R's Son I had always a good heart and when I found my Nurse would not answer for me I spoke boldly to Monsieur de Marillac and told him that I was indeed the Son of Monsieur L. C. De Rochefort but that it had been my misfortune never to have seen him that I remembred my answer pleas'd him tho it was nothing but what I had learnt by hearing my Nurse say so however being a brisk Boy and if I may say it genteel enough he made one of his Pages lead me to his Castle where he order'd me to be cloath'd suitable to my quality and having kept me there till he was oblig'd to return to Paris he sent his Steward with me to my Father to whom he writ that I began now to be of an age in which he ought to take more care of me My Father receiv'd me because he could not help it but much against his will I am sure for he used me so roughly the very day I came to him that as young as I was I could plainly see he did not much care for me if I had dar'd I would have askt him the reason of it and leave also to return to my Nurse where I had received quite contrary usage but being afraid to open my mouth I stood in a corner as if I had not belong'd to the Family while they carest and fondled one of her Children tho he was as mangy and scabby as a Hound this madded me intolerably for being now almost six years old and beginning to have some knowledge of matters I was ready to burst with spleen I liv'd thus however about a year and a half eating with the Footmen having no countenance from any body but from our Curate who was a very good man I pray'd him to teach me to read for they never thought of putting me to School and the Curate was so pleas'd with my motion coming from my self that he took a great deal of pains with me insomuch that in three or four months I could read perfectly in any sort of Books Every day my Mother-in-law plagu'd me with one thing or another and not only did me all the mischief she could but told an hundred Lies of me to my Father to set him against me and my Father who did not much care for me believ'd all she said and would often beat me without knowing for what which made me so desperate that I resolved to poyson my self There was a Weed in the Garden which they had often told me was poison I took some of it and after saying my Prayers I eat enough to have kill'd me twice over if I had not happily wanted wit to know Hemlock from another Herb or as I have often thought that I was guided even by a Miracle to mistake
Father it seems was of another opinion and I had the unhappiness that he dy'd without being reconciâ—'d to me 't was none of my fault and so I believe his Curse had not the effect he desir'd upon me At his Death I enter'd upon the Estate and set my Seal upon the Goods which you may be sure put my Mother-in-law into a great rage She who when I did all I could to oblige her persecuted me with so much cruelty would not fail to exclaim against me upon this proceeding I did now as I us'd to do formerly let her say what she pleas'd and the rather because she never had more occasion however that she might have nothing justly to reproach me with and not out of any distrust of my own Title I offer'd her a thousand Crowns a year provided she would relinquish her other pretensions this was a Present she ought to have look'd upon as very civil in me for in justice she could hope for nothing but her own Fortune of which the best part was never paid but she having taken some measures which I knew nothing of sent me word that I ought to have accepted the offers my Father had made me if I had been well advis'd but that since I had not I should see in a short time whether I was in the right or no. This sort of talk did not trouble me having no apprehensions of the trick they were going to play me but I went on to make out my Title and was busie with the Advocates who according to their rules declar'd I ought to have the whole Estate if it was never so great So I concluded to take off the Seals which I had put on which I did in the customary form and found among the papers that my Mother-in-law was a Feme sole by the Contract of Marriage I suppos'd my Case was the better for that because that then if there had been any payments made out of her money the Estate was not answerable for them and imagining that since she had shown so much ill nature she might have forgotten this particular I was such a Fool to tell her of it but all the answer she made me was that the end of the matter would discover the truth and perhaps it might spoil my mirth I could not comprehend for the soul of me what she had in her head till at last it discover'd it self in a moment to my no small disturbance The person that made the Inventory brought me a bag of papers ty'd together with a Ballet or Ticket upon it in which was written with my Mothers own hand as follows Disbursements paid of my Money out of the several parts of my allowance due to me from my Husband for which I have the Preference of Demand upon his Estate before all other Debts I was not much surpriz'd at this till I had look'd a little further but taking the papers out of the bag I saw some contracts of Settlements made by my Grandfather to some particular persons in trust for payment of Debts one of which was for no less than fifty thousand Crowns so that if what my Mother pretended had been just she might well say I had no cause to laugh she would spoil my Mirth for I was remov'd out of the Family when I was but a Child and had never any account of their affairs so that I could say nothing to this till I was better inform'd I saw well enough there was a juggle in it and the most favourable construction I could pass on it as to my mother-in-Mother-in-law was that she had imploy'd the Revenue of her Sons Benefices to her own use that which confirm'd me in this thought was that tho my Brother the Abbot left all his affairs to the management of his Father and Mother yet I found but eight Livres and a half of ready Money in the House when my Father dy'd a fine sum for a Family that made such a figure in the Country or rather a very good mark of my Mothers extraordinary management However after I had mus'd upon this Case a while I began to consider that 't was impossible my Grandfather should leave so many Debts since the whole Estate did not amount to more and my Father had marry'd two of his Sisters and had paid them five and twenty thousand Livres each for their Portions and from hence I thought this was an infallible consequence that my Father was far enough from having his Estate so much encumber'd but that they were old Contracts that they had reviv'd by some clandestine methods to make pretensions upon the Estate the chief of those Creditors being all Relations of one kind or another to my Mother-in-law I acquainted some very judicious persons with my suspicions who were presently of my opinion and after them the Lawyers who advis'd me however before I made any stir about it or commenc'd any Suit at Law in the case which could not but be very inconvenient to me that I should try if I could any way underhand discover the Cheat. I try'd all the ways that I could possibly think of having set several Persons of Quality of that Province to work for me who knew what I had done for the Family and were mov'd to compassion to see me us'd in such a manner But tho they us'd their utmost skill and very heartily too the Agents my Mother-in-law had employ'd had plaid their game too sure to be discover'd and no doubt had been well enough paid so that all our endeavours were to no purpose and I was forc'd at last to begin a tedious Suit at Law Then I charg'd them with Forgery concerning those pretended Reinbursements and having obtain'd the liberty to publish a Monitory thereof I caus'd it to be read in the Churches of those Parishes where they liv'd whom I suspected had a hand in the fâ—aud hoping that the time of Christmas being at hand when every one was to pass for Absolution 't would oblige them to consult seriously with their Consciences My Sister show'd me at this time a particular mark of her Gratitude she came to me and told me that tho she knew what she was going to say would embroil her with her Mother if ever she should come to hear of it she would nevertheless witness the truth so far as to tell me that she had heard my Father often say in discoursing of several things with my Mother-in-law that his Father had not left him one Farthing in debt but that on the other hand he found eight thousand Franks of ready money in the house at his death She told me she remember'd this as perfectly as if it had not been above a quarter of an hour ago and that if it would do me any service she would make affidavit of it before a Judge I gave her a thousand thanks for her good will but not being willing she should incur the hatred of her Mother for her affection to me I told her
Bois de Boulogue as I was returning from Versailles with my two Brothers that se defendendo I was oblig'd to draw as well as those that were with me and that nevertheless I had first endeavour'd to tell him the regard he ought to have had to the Kings Edicts and the danger of disobeying in such cases as this and being fill'd with a great deal of such stuff and having so much care taken of me without my help my justification was both short and easy I was still ignorant to whom I ow'd this obligation and tho I sometimes fancy'd it must be the Cardinal yet I could not think so long when I reflected that a man who had so much kindness for me should let me lye so long neglected in my misfortunes and would rather have told me how it was than send me a bare message not to fear Being however got out of Prison I went to throw my self at his Eminence's feet whom I told I would deal more sincerely with than I had done with the Parliament that I would honestly confess to him that I had broken the Kings Order but if I had been to be a Vagabond twice as long as I had been or to have lost my head upon a Scaffold I could never bear to hear him abus'd Have a care who hears you said he taking me up 't is I that have brought you out of this business tho no body knows of it and whereas I did send indeed for the Procurator General to make your Process it was only with design to save you if I did not inform you as much continu'd he 't was because I make no man Master of my secrets Bouteville and de Chappelle were executed but t'other day for the same thing and what would they have said of me said he if I had sav'd one of my own Servants when I but just before had taken off a Relation of one of the first Princes of the blood and two Gentlemen allied to the chief Families in France So obliging a discourse as this made me throw my self again at his feet and embracing his knees My Lord said I when shall I be so happy as to dye for so good a Master I must have liberty to sight against all that declare themselves his Enemies He was extreamly pleas'd to see me so zealous and he took so much delight in hearing me express my self in this manner that he thought not of raising me from his foot What he had told me of Bouteville and de Chappelle was very true but he did not tell me how he gratify'd his private grudge in executing the rigour of the Law upon them Bouteville being Father to the present Mareschal de Luxemburgh was Cousin to the Prince of Conde as he told me but to speak strictly to the Princess his Wife but that honour was sold him very dear You must know that the Duke D' Enguien eldest Son to the Prince of Conde having marry'd Madamoiselle de Bresse the Cardinal's Niece and his Father having been forc't against his Will to consent to that Match purely to save his life or at least his liberty his Son who knew how he was impos'd upon lookt upon his Marriage as a mark of his bondage to the Cardinals tyranny and from thence despising both the Relation and the Wife he reproacht her daily with a thousand reflections and not altogether without cause her Birth was considerable and she came of a very Ancient Family but the Duke D' Enguien having employ'd a man verst in Heraldry to search out the Original of her Family and he after turning it from side to side made his report whether 't was true or no that the House de Maille of which she was descended came by Basterdy from an Archbishop of Tours this was enough for that Duke not only to insult his Wife but also to be very sharp in reproaching the Cardinal and nothing being done but he had his Emissaries to inform him of it he was so mov'd at this that he only waited for an opportunity to show his resentment and 't was not long before had one Bouteville who happen'd to fight a Duel not only against the Kings Edict but against a particular order to himself was so closely pursued that he was apprehended before he could reach into Lorrain the Count de Chappelle his Cousin who was his Second and sled along with him was also taken and it being to do a despight to the House of Conde the Cardinal caus'd them to be executed by the Hands of the Common Hangman under pretence of Justice but indeed to satisfy his private revenge After I was thus restor'd into favour the Cardinal who lov'd me more than ever made me several gratifications and askt me If I had ne'r another Brother to prefer I told him I had two one to whom I had given the last Abbey which his Eminence was pleas'd to bestow on me but that for the other I did not desire to concern my self for him for having the misfortune to be accus'd of the death of three others I was unwilling to expose my self to the like reproach I told him however I had a Sister that past in the world for something handsome and intended to marry her to one of my Friends a Gentleman of Brettany and that I only waited for my Father and Mother-in-law's answer He hearkned to all this with a singular goodness and a Benefice falling near us which was in his Gift he gave it me without asking and I presented it as freely to my Brother who was already in Orders which open'd the mouth of my Mother-in-law afresh who complain'd now that one must have all and t'other none and that I ought rather to have given it to him that had nothing I e'n let her say what she wou'd and only waited for an answer to the business about my Sister which it was three months before they wou'd vouchsafe to grant me at last my Father having a suit at Law that brought him to Paris and being glad to make use of some friends of mine to sollicit for him he sent me a Note where I might find him I went to him immediately and after paying him my respects I askt him how it came about that I had not heard from him all this while 'T is long of your Mother answer'd he very ingenuously who believes you have a design to deceive us But Sir said I what do you believe of it In troth said he with the same freedom I know not what to think of it for when the Debate lyes between a Wife that a Man loves and a Son who has oblig'd him one has a difficult task to decide it You have no Obligation at all Sir to me said I but methinks you ought at least to do me a little more Justice I did not care to urge it any farther out of respect to him His Cause was against Monsieur de la Vieuville a Man from whom we have seen a
it should suffice me to see such a proof of her Love without making her a sacrifice that I was sorry I was in no better a condition for her sake that I had resolv'd she should be my Heir to that little I had for I lov'd such an honest principle in short she did all I could desire for she gave me a Declaration two or three days after whereby she relinquisht any claim for her part in any thing her Mother might pretend upon my Fathers Estate acknowledging that it all belong'd to me and charging her Son in case of her Death not to meddle with it but to make me restitution She forc'd the paper of this into my hands and made me take it but I laught at her and having torn it in her sight I told her we should easily accommodate the case between her and I if there was no body else concern'd that I took this as kindly of her which she had now done as if she had given me a hundred thousand Crowns and that all my trouble was that I was not in a condition to requite her kindness Our Cause which had at first been commenc'd in the Country was quickly brought to Paris by the means of one of my Mother-in-laws pretended Creditors who supposing he should serve her the better there where he had a great interest made her remove it to Paris where he did all his business I was so far from being sorry for this that they could not have pleas'd me better having perhaps as many friends there as he and hop'd they would not abandon me in a Cause so very just In short every one proffer'd me his service and I that had always hated Law Suits above all things carry'd on this with so much vigour that I minded nothing else When I think of this sometimes I wonder what it was wrought so great a change in me unless it was that my Mother having on all occasions exasperated me I was very willing to have my turn in vexing her too and plague her as much as I could In the mean time however the Cause was against me and every body told me that when it came to a hearing I should be cast unless I could produce some Deeds to make out the Cheat I pretended was put upon me I had brought the Contracts of my two Aunts whereby it appear'd they had receiv'd fifty thousand Franks and that 't was likely my Father had a great deal more because we liv'd in a Country where 't was the custom to be favourable to the Male Children but the Lawyers laught at this and told me that in matters of Law they did not use to judge by supposition I was to be sure strangely embarrast at this sort of discourse and saw my self at the point to be cast for the charges when a certain Councellor of the Great Chamber sent to me to tell me that if I would promise to marry his Daughter he would engage I should carry my Cause I askt of the Messenger who this Councellor was but he told me he was not to tell me unless I accepted the proposition but that assoon as I had given him my word I should see both my Father-in-law and his Daughter I reply'd that folks did not use to marry they know not who and before I promis'd any thing I should be very willing to know who I had to do with that in the first place the proposition seem'd a little freakish or to speak seriously it seem'd to come from a man that was not very scrupulous that my Father-in-law pretended belike to sell me Justice since it might chance I should buy it with the loss of my Liberty and perhaps of my Honour and in the second place this caution he us'd to get my promise before I should be suffer'd to know him lookt as if he had no great confidence of his own reputation that I could not imagin who it should be and could guess but two or three persons whom I would not name but if it was any one of them I defy'd them and would rather run the hazard of being miserable all my life than to buy my Estate with so dishonourable a Match The man let me go on without the least interruption till I had quite done and then shrugging up his shoulders he told me this discourse from a man of twenty year old would be well enough but for one that had seen almost fifty 't was an inexcusable folly that I call'd it then selling of Justice that he would help me with his credit and interest what obligation had a man to prefer my interest before my Mother-in-laws who in all appearance had the right on her side that those Gentlemen who I talkt so scandalously of were at the same time the chief men in the Parliament that all persons were at their beck and that if I should have so little wit and so much boldness to offer them any ill language I should certainly lose my Cause which if I should be so much a Fool to do I should soon also be made to pay the costs and that if he should hear the News that all this was come to pass he should be the first to say I was serv'd as I deserv'd I confess I was sensibly touch'd with this threat and endeavouring in my self to excuse the proceedings of this pretended Father-in-law I told the Messenger perhaps he was not so much to be reflected on as I imagin'd that perhaps the methods he would use to assist me might be only interests not unjust that such men as they saw further into a Cause than other People and doubtless it was upon that score that he pretended to be able to help me in mine on the other hand 't was not so strange he should demand for his recompence that I should marry his Daughter for 't is fair every man should ask what wages he pleases for his pains that in this case to say the truth 't would not be my giving his Daughter a portion but his Daughter giving me an Estate since without her I was just a going to be not worth a groat In short to say the truth the aversion I had for my Mother-in-law reconcil'd me to all the difficulties of this affair more than I thought 't was possible for me so I told the man I would venture provided my Father-in-Law that was to be was not Monsieur Genou and that the Woman was not infamous I had an implacable enmity in my mind against Monsieur Genou for a piece of Injustice that he did to some very honest Gentlemen of my acquaintance which I could not forgive him and he run so much in my head for a notorious fellow I would be sure to avoid that it put others out of my memory who were every jot as bad as himself the man taking it for granted the business was done names to me Monsieur de Canae who was such another Villain as Genou if not a worse the very name
not make so much noise was that of one of the Queens Maids of Honour whose name was Madamoiselle de Guerchi to whom fell out this very unhappy adventure I should have told you that being with Child by the Duke de Viâ—ry he ruin'd her so unfortunately by endeavouring to hide her disgrace with the Death of the Infant and there happen'd on this occasion so false a step taken by her self that she deserv'd to have Stones thrown at her more than Madam d' Aiguillon The Queen lov'd her above all the rest and this happen'd to her at a time when the Queen being busy about some certain private affairs had plac'd her at the Closet door with order to let no body come in but such as she had nam'd It happen'd as she stood here Monsieur de Vic came up to the door and making an offer to go in and she not knowing his face he being newly come from the Army she ask'd him his Name which he told her immediately Now there being but little difference in the French between his Name and a certain thing which it is not very decent to mention she stept back in a paâ—sion and flung the Door against him The Queen who by accident had her Eyes that way observing the disorder she was in askt her what was the matter But she being surpriz'd only told her that 't was an insolent fellow and that she durst not tell her Majesty what it was he said The Queen wondring what should so much disturb her and make her colour so red call'd her to her and absolutely commanded her to tell her what it was that if it was a thing not fit to be spoken in plains terms she might disguise it but so as to let her know the meaning of it which would not be difficult to do by one that had so much wit as she had Madamoiselle de Guerchi seeing the Queen had given her an Expedient resolv'd to tell her but did it with so ill a grace that if she had nam'd the thing at length it could not have been worse She said then that having askt the Gentleman his name he had told her the name of a thing with which they say they get Children Mr. de Guiâ—auâ— Captain of the Queens Guards who stood by fell out a laughing as if he would have burst and when he had a little recover'd himself Madam said he to the Queen I 'm confident 't was Monsieur de Vic who frighted this Lady for he came from Flanders but last night but the best of the jest was that the Lady affirmed still she was not mistaken but that it was he that chang'd one letter of the name tho she was not so to be deceiv'd The Gentleman who I went to visit at Melun was call'd the Count de la Chapelle Gantier a person of a great deal of honour and whose Father was my particular Friend he was a sworn Enemy to another Gentleman that liv'd hard by call'd the Viscount de Melun or rather L' Arbatjete for he did not belong to the honourable Family of Melun of whom the late Constable de Melun and the present Princes d' Espinois are descended he was far enough from such a Noble Original having more Men of the Gown than of the Sword in his Family and yet if you would believe him Messieurs de Chatillon are not of a better Descent than he The Enmity between these Gentleman began upon this ground that the Father of one had kill'd the Father of the other a quarrel so reasonable that no body ever attempted to reconcile them My Friend was the Party offended it being his Father who had the misfortune to be kill'd by the other since which if he had but heard his name mention'd he would have turn'd pale and shook from head to foot A Person of Quality to whom I am very much oblig'd desir'd me when I went from Paris to attempt the mitiagating of this Hatred by making a Proposal of Marriage to my Friend with Melun's Sister but I desir'd to be excus'd for that this was to do a great injury to the Count de la Chapelle who I knew to be more of a Gentleman than to marry the Daughter of his Father's Murtherer and that in short I would never undertake such an Errand for I knew if I should it would be to no purpose The Count de Melun also was a Man of so much ill nature that instead of endeavouring by his carriage to make my Friend forget the Grudge that was between the Families as he ought to have done he took all occasions to increase it He was very often drunk and when he had a Glass or two of Wine in his head he was so abusive to my Friend that if the Laws against Quarrels and Duels had not been so severe he had been every day in danger of having his Throat cut This was a crime in any man but much more inexcusable in the Son of a man who had already imbru'd his hands in the blood of my Friendâ—s Father besides the King had done as much as was possible to prevent his being us'd in this manner for he pardon'd his Father but upon this condition that neither he nor any of his after him should come into the Company or place where any of the deceased's Children should â—e and that if at any time any of those should come into Company where he was or any of his Children they should be oblig'd immediately to quit the place which command of the Kings every one allow'd to be very just But the Viscount de Melun instead of conforming himself to this Order as his Father had done us'd him as I have been telling you Insomuch that the first thing my Friend told me of at my coming to see him was that he could endure it no longer at the same time he told me at large the grounds of his disgust which I could not deny but to be very reasonable However I endeavour'd to put the best face on them I could because I would not enflame him who I perceiv'd was already disturb'd enough and at the same time I told him he could not have the least quarrel with him without endangering himself extreamly for the same Order of the Kings which commanded Melun to keep out of his sight commanded him also to bear his Adversary no malice I told him that he being the party aggriev'd every body would conclude him to have been the Agressor that in his circumstances he ought to use more caution a thousand times than another having a good Estate to lose and therefore ought to consider very well before he did any thing of that nature that I did not deny but 't was a very hard case for any Gentleman to be forc'd to bear so much every day but that the least evil is always to be chosen that there was Melun and his Gang desir'd nothing more than to have us take some wrong step which they might
his interest to effect he promis'd to speak to my Mother-in-law about it and two days after he came home he sent me word that they would give their consents to what I propos'd provided I would do it without their disbursing any Money I admir'd or rather pity'd the sordid stupidity of these people who having no more Children as one might say should venture the loss of such an opportunity to advance their Daughter rather than part with about twenty thousand Franks purely from Covetuousness to say no worse of it for they wanted no Money the Cardinal having for my sake to pacifie my mother-in-Mother-in-law for the death of my two Brothers permitted her to sell the Commission of the eldest which he had not dispos'd of thinking I had another Brother to whom he would have given it by which she got a good sum of Money and more than would have paid the Portion for my Sister However a little after I receiv'd another Letter which explain'd the former in which they told me that since I thought this so good a Match they desir'd me that I would not let it slip for want of a little of my assistance that I was in a condition able to do it and it would be but a small matter to me and for which my Sister would be eternally oblig'd to me I was damnably vext at this and so I gave them to understand and my passion appear'd so in my countenance that notwithstanding all the care I took to conceal it the Cardinal easily discover'd it and askt me what the reason of it was but fearing he should think it was only an artifice of mine to draw more Money from him I beg'd him to excuse me telling him 't was nothing but some of my private affairs not worth disturbing his Eminence with he was not satisfy'd with these reasons but thinking I equivocated with him he told me that he would have me tell him positively the business I defended my self still with the same pretence but the more he saw me unwilling to discover my self the more he prest me so I was forc't to tell him but at the same time told him my fears lest he should think I had a design upon him I thought said he presently 't was some business of vast consequence and is this all the matter Go continu'd he I give this also for your sake â—ut upon condition that you shan't call them your Children any more for methinks they are mine rather confidering what they cost me every day I could with all my soul have run into the fire for him if there had been occasion I had such a fence of his bounty and many favours to me but it being my misfortune to be only a poor useless fellow I contented my self to express my passion by my zeal for his service Thus my Sister was marry'd at last to the person that I had propos'd and liv'd several years with the greatest happiness in the world only that it pleas'd God she had no Children but about six years after her Husband was taken with a fit of Devotion and she who made it a pleasure to her to suit herself to his temper liv'd with him so piously that she became an example to the whole Province of Brettagne but both of them growing zealous to excess he turns Priest and she became a Voâ—ary and while he was a kind of a Missionary in his own Country she retir'd into a Convent near Meulan to which she had been a Benefactrice A few days after the Cardinal had done this last favour for me he was seiz'd with so deep a melancholy that one could not know him almost to be the same person I could not forbear expressing to him my trouble for the condition I saw him in and the satisfaction which it would be to me to be instrumental to his recovery he spoke slightingly of it but yet I could perceive plainly enough there was something more than ordinary in it notwithstanding all the pains he took to conceal it from me for I had study'd his humour so well in that long time I had the honour to have belong'd to him that I knew his temper as perfectly as if I had been himself however after such an answer 't was my Duty to be silent tho I was sensibly afflicted to see that his discontent rather encreast every day To pass away these troublesom hours which held for two months at least I us'd to go to Luxemburgh to divert my self with a Lady who very well deserv'd my acquaintance and that I might not bring any scandal upon her I always left my men at the Market Gate and went alone on foot to her House One night as I came back to my Servants I saw a man go out at the Gate who I presently remember'd to have seen at Bruffels being a person whom I knew was employ'd in Intreigues of State the unseasonable hour of the night for 't was past two a clock made me imagine that a man of his character would not be so late abroad for nothing I presently acquainted the Cardinal who told me I was mightily to blame I did not follow him I told him I had a good mind to have done it but that he perceiv'd I knew him and I was loth to increase his suspicion he told me I had done well and pausing a while he askt me what manner of man he was enquiring of his age his statute his complexion and the like I gave him the best description of him I could and he immediately gave orders to all the Posts Carriers and Coaches to take notice if any such like man offer'd to go out of Town and laid men upon all the Roads if possible to apprehend him if he travell'd any other way I guest by all this that this very man was the cause of the Cardinals disturbance and seeing he intended to place a Centinel near Luxembourg I told him there was no body could be so proper for that Post as my self for that I knew him and he should not escape me he told me that was true but on the other hand he might know me too and so might mistrust something and avoid me to remove this objection and the thoughts of employing any other person I told him no body could know him so well by the bare description I had given of him as I could do with my own Eyes and therefore any other might suffer him to pass and not know him whereas in a disguise I had in my head I would defy him to know me let him be as cunning as he would he askt how I had contriv'd to disguise my self I told him I would dress my self up like a Beggar-man and laying my self down in the street like a poor Cripple I should have the advantage of looking every one that came by in the face he lik'd my project very well and would needs have a view of me in my Robes so I bought very privately a pair of old
and was going to casheer him yet on second thoughts she durst not venture to do so for fear he should return into France and give the Queen an account what a life she led and of a thousand intreagues she had been concern'd in against her Majesty and apprehending too that he would sacrifice her to the Mareschal de Schomberg's Lady who after having resisted sollicitations from the King himself yet as report went did not stick to admit to her arms so pitiful a Fellow as this The Comte de ..... who was jealous of la Porte was surpriz'd that after all this the Dutchess still carry'd it but coldly to him and did not throw off la Porte as he expected and to free himself from a Rival was resolv'd to poison him but la Porte who knew not only the humour of the Spaniards but was also sensible of the resentment of the Dutchess kept himself upon his Guard and would not eat or drink but at his own house and continu'd to do thus till he return'd into France which caution of his in all probability was the saving of his life During all these Intreagues the King declin'd so in his health that 't was plain to all the world he could not live long and Madam de Chevreuse having so much influence upon the Queen attended with impatience for the news of his death not only that she might be recall'd to Court but not questioning the raising of her fortune wherefore to oblige the Queen and fix her self in her Majestys opinion she resolv'd to effect that by her own interest which the Queen had attempted to do by an underhand treaty with la Porte but fearing that as long as la Porte was with her the Comte de ..... would never heartily engage in her design she concerted matters with la Porte and agreed with him that he should return into France to manage her part with the Queen by which means tho not without regret he consented to leave her to his Rival in hopes of advancing his Fortune Indeed the promise they had made him of being Page to the King had so gain'd upon him that he slighted every thing for it so that as soon as ever he came to Paris he went away to the Queen whom he told that not being able to succeed in his negotiation for her Service Madam de Chevreuse had undertaken it and would doubtless perform it better than he could have done The Queen who had such confidence in the Cardinal as we before noted having acquainted him with this instead of approving of it he was exceedingly troubled at it and told the Queen she was going to ruine her self for if the King should come to discover what had past she was undone his aversion to Madam de Chevreuse being invincible that 't was well enough to entertain la Porte because he was lookt upon as a Person out of favour and therefore would not be suspected and might some time or other be of use to them but for Madam de Chevreuse it was neither safe to hold any correspondence with her nor could she be any way serviceable at this time The Queen who knew this to be very true was the easier to be perswaded so they sent Madam de Chevreuse word that they were very much oblig'd to her for the pains she had taken but that in the present posture of affairs they did not think fit to proceed in those measures any further In the mean time the Cardinal set la Porte at work upon the Queen to lessen her esteem for Madam de Chevreuse and made that service the further condition of the preferment they had promised him which nevertheless they delay'd till after the Kings death and then gave it him as if it had been at the intercession of Madam de Chevreuse who as cunning a Woman as she might be otherways was made a property in this case to take that for a favour done on her account that was the reward of his Treason in betraying her In the mean time 't was a Master-piece of Policy in the Cardinal after having put by the Queen from those methods she had taken so much to her advantage to find out other ways to secure the Regency to her He fear'd Monsieur Desnoirs most who was Secretary for the War and would have been very glad to have him remov'd and yet made use of him to make the proposal to the King and he had two designs in so doing first if the King consented to make the Queen Regent then he had effectually oblig'd her as being the first contriver of it but if the King should resent it ill and fly ouâ— into a passion at it then 't would disgrace his Adversary Monsieur Desnoirs was such a Fool as to be prevail'd on to engage in this affair but knowing that 't would be a difficult thing he set upon the Kings weak side that is he engag'd his Confessor in the matter who represented to him that having in probability not long to live he ought to think of settling his Conscience that nothing was so much requir'd of us at our going out of this World as forgiving our Enemies and that he ought now to forget all the discontent that had been between him and the Queen that he had already recall'd to Court those whom he had suspected on her account that nothing remain'd now but to give her some Testimonies of his reconciliation to her that the present circumstance offerr'd him one which was to make her Guardian of her Children a thing so naturally her right that the Law excluded all other Relations from pretending to it That if he did otherwise 't would look as if he had still some reserve on his mind and that nothing was so dangerous as to equivocate with his Conscience The Confessor was very ready to go upon this foolish Errand whether that he thought himself oblig'd to it by his Office or that he thought to do a piece of Service to Monsieur Desnoirs but he was immediately casheer'd for his pains and the King coming to know afterwards that this came from Monsieur Desnoirs he serv'd him in the same manner giving his Office of Secretary to Monsieur le Tellier who is now Chancellour of France The Fortune of this Monsieur le Tellier and the Marquis de Louvois his Son being so strangely great that they seem to equal that of Soveraign Princes if not to exceed them I shall speak a word to it to demonstrate that where Merit is really the foundation there is no structur can be too great to build upon it Monsieur le Tellier's Father was one of the Long Robe and brought up his Son in the same Profession and having made him capable of business he had a mind to get him the Office of the Kings Procuret de Chatelet which is a thing independent from any of the other Courts and very considerable He that sold it having several Customers about it preferr'd
end of which my Brother in-in-law dy'd My Sister going to enter on the Estate which was very considerable met with opposition from his Relations who us'd this as a pretence that her Son was Illegitimate Upon which a great Law Suit was commenc'd which the pretended Heirs had a mind to carry to be try'd in Bretagne because some part of the Estate lay there but they having caus'd the Goods which were at Paris to be seiz'd and the Contract of Marriage being made there these two things brought them within the Jurisdiction of the Justice of the place besides that it solely belongs to the Parliament of Paris to take cognizance of all things relating to the Validity of Marriages The pretended Heirs being now oblig'd to come to a Trial here committed their Cause to one of the ablest Councel to manage and he in his Plea forgot nothing that the most artificial Rhetorick could urge when it intends most to perswade He exaggerated what a Reflection it would be on Religion to tolerate such an abuse as this which was the very way to authorize what the Hugonots maintain that 't is lawful for a Priest to marry that not only the Child ought to be declar'd illegitimate but the Mother ought to be punisht for so black a crime so hâ—rrid a Sacrilege That nothing had forc'd the marry'd Couple to a Separation but when once they had done so to devote themselves to God it was a Vow of that nature from which none but the Pope himself could dispence 'em That the present Case was still different here was a Man who had not simply promis'd to devote himself to God but one who was consecrated by all that is most Holy in Religion In a word a Priest one who had a thousand times offer'd the Sacrifice by which we all hope for Salvation One who had receiv'd an infinite Number of Souls to the Sacrament of Pennance had given the Communion and in short who had done all that so sublime and sacred a Character could intitle him to do That it ought to be consider'd what would be the consequences of allowing such a Sacrilege how many Confessions and how many Sacraments would be render'd ineffectual and consequently how many Souls eternally damn'd 'T would be too tedious to recite all his Plea at length in which he was not sparing of Invectives against my Sister who being present could not hear them without an extreme Confusion At last her Councel began to speak upon which every one was silent and he said That he could not but admire an Action should be represented so foul and criminal which was only a Slip of Weakness or Humane Frailty That he did not conceive the fault lay so much in his Clients living with her Husband after a Separation of 5 or 6 years as in the suffering him in a foolish fit of zeal to turn Priest That God had expresly forbid to separate those who were thus join'd how then could they suffer one who had sworn Fidelity to his Wise to violate an Oath he had taken in the Face of the Church and Marriage being a Sacrament the other Sacrament which was subsequent could not dissolve the first That the Child had nothing to do with the Indiscretions of his Father that his Legitimacy was confirm'd by his Fathers Contract with his Mother and by the Marriage Benediction he receiv'd In short if the Parliament as they had often in uncertain Cases adjudg'd the just Intention of a Marriage sufficient to legitimate the Children how much more reason had he to hope for the same Justice in a Cause where the Honour of the Mother was so far from being call'd in question that it was never so much as suspected The Judges were a long time in suspence during which 't is no hard matter to imagine mine and my Sisters Fears I was but just come in as the last man had done his Plea The People that stood by but did not know me told me the substance of the other Councels Plea and some of them were so prejudic'd by his reasons as to tell us our Destiny but we were happy that they were not our Judges They were mistaken in their opinion as it prov'd for we unanimously carry'd our Cause and our Adversaries were condemn'd to all the Costs Charges of the Suit This Affair however was the occasion that some time after Monsieur de Villemontee being nominated to the Bishoprick of St. Malo was refus'd his Bulls because he was parted from his Wife but on another account than that of my Brother The truth of which was he had discover'd some Intrigues of hers when he was Intendant of Justice and Master of the Requests and that with the disappointment put him so out of conceit with the World that after he had made her retire to a Convent he gave himself wholly up to Devotion This business of my Sister 's having caus'd me to make some digression 't will be convenient now to return and resume my discourse of those matters I was upon before The Prince of Conde having broken off the Treaty I mention'd formerly purely by his own fault was resolv'd to push things to the extremity rather than not compass what he drove at The other Princes were no less forward and met every day at Luxemburg to consult how they might oblige the Queen to relinquish the Cardinal and to give them a larger shâ—â—e in the government of affairs which was the cause of all their discontent In the meâ—n time the Dukes of Beaufort and Nemours were several times ready to quarrel about precedency which the Duke of Orleans and Prince of Conde being willing to prevent aâ—judg'd the first place to him who came first to the Council The Duke of Beaufort complain'd of this regulation the Bastards of France having this Previledge in the Kingdom to take place of all Foreign Princes but he was answer'd that it could not be recall'd and all his redress would be now to constrain himself a little to come something the sooner And he did not fail to do so insomuch that 't was taken notice of and said that he stood Centinel there every day to watch till the door should be open'd At length after they had fully resolv'd the ruine of the Cardinal and the means to accomplish it the Prince of Conde left Paris to go to the assistance of his Troâ—ps which were in no small apprehensions of those of the King exceeding them much in number His Presence with some other precautions he us'd made the Count de Miâ—ssens who was advanc'd on the side of St. Cloud to retire but not content with that he turn'd his Forces against St Denis in which there was a Royal Garrison The place being of no strength was easily carry'd and for the same reason could not be kept for any time The Prince who had experienc'd what kind of Souldiers the Parisians were when he had to do with them near Charenâ—on found them not more
made me cry out as if some sudden disaster had surpriz'd me The fellow perceiving his mistake and that no good was like to come of it bid me have a care what I did that the loss of my Suit at Law depended upon my managing this affair that the young Lady was a discreet person and agreeable enough that to refuse it now would make her Father outrageous and he would certainly be my Enemy and so I might only thank my self if my Cause miscarry'd I reply'd the thing must be as it pleas'd God but I could never consent to be Son-in-Law to Monsieur de Canae that he might indeed make me lose my Suit without blackening his Conscience since he had been guilty before of so many Villanies as had already brought it to the colour of the Chimney that I could not but wonder he had not found the means of marrying his Daughter who by this time began to grow something stale since without doubt he had many such affairs as mine in his way and might find some Client or other to make a Cully of but it would not pass upon me I said too much indeed considering I had a Suit depending and that he was one of the Judges and especially before a person he particularly employ'd in such under-hand practices who having given him an exact account of what I had said my mother-in-Mother-in-Law herself did not sollicit her Cause with so much eagerness against me in publick as he did in private However 't was to his advantage that I refus'd his Daughter for he married her to Monsieur Montigni Son to the Governor of Diep who was richer than I should have been if I had recover'd my Estate and this cost him nothing but doing a little injustice for him just as he offer'd to me However I never repented that this Gentleman carry'd away the Prize for she wears the Breeches manfully and all that her Husband can do to shew that he is Lord and Master is that when he pleases he will go to Chartres and get drunk because she won't suffer him to have a drop of Wine at home I suppose I may be allow'd to mention this story that reflects on his Son-in-Law because I have so much reason to hate the Father In short he was the occasion that about a Fortnight after I lost my Cause and was condemn'd to pay the charges and since that I have not had an Enemy has done me half the mischief which he has endeavour'd to do The charges amounted to a huge summ and my Mother-in-Law who had no thoughts of favouring me took out Execution against me at the perswasion of Monsieur de Canae and clapt me into Prison at the time when I least of all expected it The summ was no less than two thousand livres and money being very scarce then as well as now I could meet with never a friend would help me to such a summ However abundance of them came to see me and exclaimed with me at the ingratitude of this woman but that was a small relief to me so I was forced to take it as patiently as I could I found in the Prison a great many honest Gentlemen whose misfortunes had brought them into the same condition but they were not so much concerned at their afflictions as I was at mine for I saw them seek all manner of ways to divert themselves as if they had been at Liberty but not being of their humor I spent my time in cursing of my Judges and railing at the times in which there was so little Justice to be had and there being Spies there as well as in other places they inform'd against me so from a Debtor I was made a Criminal and was carried away to Pierre Encise I was a long time before I could guess what they were going to do with me and what I had done to deserve this sort of usage but recollecting that I had spoken a little too freely of a certain Minister I troubled my self no further for a cause of my removal but the Crime being of no great consequence they gave me liberty to walk abroad The other prisoners seeing a new comer were very eager to hear my story I made no difficulty of telling them all the particulars and protesting my innocence but I found this was so common a tale in such a place that they were all as innocent as by their own accounts Among the rest I found the Marquis de Fresne whom I had known well enough to give him more particular respect than the others and on that account I told him my case ingenuously and askt his advice what coâ—â—se I should take to make satisfaction for my imprudence he told me he knew not what to advise me to in so nice an affair and that he stood in as much need himself his misfortune coming from a like cause He surpriz'd me in saying so having always been told 't was for endeavouring to â—ell away his Wife to some Pyrates and I could not forbear telling him what I had heard he answer'd that since I had been so ill inform'd he would acquaint me in a few words with his true History Having no great matter of business in such a place I was as willing to hear this adventure knowing it must be extraordinary as he could be to relate it So we sat down on a bank upon the Platform where we was walking and he told me That before he was married he was passionately in love with her who was now his Wife that tho 't was his constant maxim that Daughters took always after their Mothers and that he knew well enough what was the manner of her Mother yet it spite of his own-notions he was such a fool to fall into the snare and after having try'd all possible means to enjoy her and finding them ineffectual but by marrying her resolv'd to satisfy his inclination at any rate so he ask'd her Mothers consent which the old woman not caring to part with her money had refus'd him that this repulse had but encreased their passion on both sides so that they resolv'd to do it without her upon which he had taken her away and having goten a Priest ready to marry them this oblig'd the old Gentlewoman to give her consent that upon this he thought himself the happiest man in the World But this happiness lasted no longer than three months when Monsieur de Ecuilli his Brother fell in love with his Wife and she with him and that they manag'd this with so little prudence that he cou'd not but perceive it presently and was so enrag'd at it that he was several times tempted to dispatch 'em both but considering what a noise such an action wou'd make in the World he thought of some other method and the more because as false as she was he cou'd not bring himself to that degree of hatred against his Wife but having not the same tenderness for his Brother resolv'd to fight him upon
by Trade are never without a number of Creditors and these came all upon him hearing what had happen'd and believing he was paâ—â— remedy seeing he could not stop such a small thing as that so falling in with the Horse Courser they prosecuted the Sale of the Goods and the poor Man lost all that ever he had in one days time and spoil'd his Credit too which was worse than all the rest However as I was really innocent of all that had happen'd all my anger was bent against Madam de l â—Aigle I will not pretend to describe what a passion I was in at her for indeed 't is impossible you must think I thought of nothing but revenge and I was very deeply toucht to do what I did I had not undertaken such a long Journey as I said before but in hopes of recovering my health now I was upon the spot and ought to expect the success yet upon the news of this I made back again immediately resolving to do my utmost rather than to be thus fool'd I have given you an account already how I had been inform'd that my Valet de Chambre had us'd to rob on the High-way I now made enquiry to find out what proof I could have of it and finding I had too plain proof to fail bringing him to the Gallows I had nothing to do then but to find him out which as it happen'd was not so difficult as I thought it was having given order to one of my Boys to put off his Livery and go to the Marquis de l' Aigle's upon pretence of getting a place he presently learnt that the fellow was got into his service again this Norman not mattering whâ— were his Servants so he could but get them for little or no Wages In short he took him on that very score for he was a Man that never mist his advantage if he had an opportunity Having learnt where this Rogue had housâ—d himself I got a Decree against him and resolv'd not only to take him but to take him out of his new Masters House that the affront might be the greater to him to which end I got every thing ready and taking no less than a Gang of thirty Provosts Men that I might be provided in case of resistance we went to the House betimes in the morning and the Door being open'd we took the Rogue out of his Bed The Marquis de l' Aigle hearing a great noise got up to see what was the matter and so did his Lady and hufft at the Officers theatning them for daring to enter the House of a person of their quality but such sort of people don't use to trouble their heads about folks quality nor 〈◊〉 neither and the she had like to have found to her cost one or two of them having offer'd the butt end of their pieces at her and perhaps had done her a mischief but that the Magistrate who was at the head of them prevented it but at the same time the Commissary for there is not much difference between one of those Magistrates and one of their Mâ—n as to their civility told her that if she had been hurt she had no more than she deservâ—d that she should know her self a little better than to threaten those that came to execute the Law and if she had any thing to say she might make her complaint where she ought This was a great mortification to a Woman of her spirit but she was forc'd to bear it and also something more which I had instructed one of the Officers to say to her if she appear'd that made her presently know it was I had brought this about and thereupon she and her Husband began to contrive which way to defeat me again for they were both as excellent at tricking as Lawyers thinking it was all on the old business 'T is true as to the crime a Man could not be tried twice for the same fact nor would further Evidence signify any thing and this was what they built upon and so making it a point of honour away they went in their Coach to seach the Jaylors Book of the Prisoners Names but they were sent back again with a vengeance when they understood there was more in it than they had heard of and as great as they were they durst not meddle with it nor so much as appear when they heard of a High-way Robbery in the case they did what they could indeed by their friends and underhand but all was to no purpose nor much to their credit neither for all would not do to save a Rogue whose crime was as plain as the Sun at noon day but he was condemnâ—d to be broken upon the Wheel and all they could do for him was that instead of being broken alive as he deserv'd for he had been an Assassinate too he had the favour to be strangled first This however did not hinder me from endeavouring to make up the matter with the Man that had been bound for me and had suffer'd so deeply for it He had protested as before against me for the Charges Damages and Interests and it was but just indeed that I should give him something and that considerable too indeed tho I was not the cause of his Creditors coming upon him yet I was of the confusion of his affairs which brought them upon him and in consideration of this I offer'd him 2000 Franks and after that 1000 Crowns but he flew out at me as if I had done him some great injury telling me six times as much would not make him satisfaction that on my account his Goods had been sold for half the value and that I was oblig'd to bear the loss which was at least 4000 Crowns that besides I had been the occasion of his shutting up his Shop where he got his Livelihood and I ought to give him a consideration for that that it would require a great deal of time before he could set up again and get into credit as he was before and the like and these he call'd his Damages and Interests and he hop'd I would not see his Wife and Children turn'd into the street a begging for his good will in doing me a kindness But indeed he would have sent me a begging if I should have done as he desir'd so I was forc'd to go to Law with him his Demands being so extravagant which ended so much to my advantage that instead of 1000 Crowns which I had offer'd him I was awarded to pay him just half the summ but because I would be generous he having really sufferâ—d on my account I gave him the thousand Crowns I had tender'd him before And thus ended this affair which I should still call unfortunate had it not very much conducd to show me the vanity of this world and indeed considering that nothing is to be met with here but Affliction Crosses and Discontent I began to resolve to do what I had a long time intended And so at last I am retir'd into a Religious House where burthen'd with years and deprest with the infirmities that inseparably attend old Age I am waiting with patience the good hour when it shall please Almighty God to take me to himself FINIS * The mark with which they brand Malefactors in that Country * The Palace is in Paris as Westminster-Hall is here the place for the Courts of Justice * The Statue of Hen. IV. on the Pont Neuf in brass * Malade Maginaje †Ben. Johnson * Bedlam * A Swallow †A Worm * A Mouse * Le Voile in the â—rench Tongue signifying â— Vail or a Sail of a Ship * A Provincial Judgâ—