him that he was strangely alter'd in his Temper from what she had known him before Alass Madam said he what good can you expect from the presence of a Man-hater who thinks the World too little for him to range in The Marshals de Crequi and de Navaille did also several times check him upon account of his cloudy Temper without knowing the true cause of it so that the Marshal de Boufflers at last beginning to grow weary of leading such a disconsolate course of Life and having communicated his Thoughts to the Count de Choiseul he was soon reliev'd by his good Advice How said he my Friend is it come to that pass with you that you cannot make a Woman Love you for whom you have a Passion You may now esteem your self a sorry Fellow indeed For my part reply'd the Marshal striking with his Hat upon the Table I know not what I am my self yet I am sure I am not the same I us'd to be I durst not so much as sue for a Favour from the Lady I Love I cannot believe but that she has bewitch'd me to be silent and to bear every thing with an awful Respect These are the true marks reply'd the Count of a Man in Love But why shou'd you complain since you have ask'd nothing of your Mistress and that you have no reason to accuse her of being Insensible Cruel or Indifferent Go go take my advice lay aside this dull way of Courtship and push on your Point as close as you can The English Ladies are not so averse to the French as you imagine The Marshal cou'd not forbear laughing at the Count 's jolly Humour who advis'd him to make use of his middle Point to advance his Amourous Design Courage Courage my dear Friend cry'd the Count clapping him upon the Shoulder 't is a very good sign when a Love Sick Person begins to laugh I 'll engage that before you are a Weak older you 'll be cur'd of your Distemper It seems that when we disclose our Heart to a Friend we share with him one half of our troubles This was very observable in the Marshal who after having freely deliver'd his Mind to the Count his Friend found himself half cur'd of his Pain having therefore embrac'd and return'd him a thousand thanks for his good Counsel he went to renew his Visit at my Lady Stone 's who had been very uneasie during his absence What have I done to you my dear Marshal said she that you thus fly from me as you do it seems as if I were become your Enemy Truly Madam answer'd he looking upon her with a languishing Eye in some measure you are so having bereav'd my Heart of all its Repose and Tranquillity ever since I had the first sight of you I am not the same Person I was wont to be I have given you some hints of my Passion but I am apt to believe you scarce ever thought of it since More than you think for Sir reply'd she I love you better than you can imagine 'T was not without some Confusion that she spoke these Words but imagining that he had not very well apprehended her meaning she repeated 'em several times very pleasantly The Marshal who understands a little of most Languages especially as to Love-Terms fell into an Extasy of Joy upon hearing these charming Words which sounded very prettily in English from his fair Lady's Mouth She having several times after repeated these Words I Love you I Love you the Marshal did no longer question his own happiness and having embrac'd his charming Mistress he gave her fresh assurances of the violence of his Passion which he told her was rais'd to that height that it must prove mortal to him except she wou'd vouchsase to prevent it Is it possible Divine Creature said he that at that moment when I look upon you there shou'd be any thing wanting to accomplish my Felicity Alass flattering Fancies deceitful Imaginations I am very sensible what it is that is wanting to compleat my happiness 't is that you my incomparable Fair wou'd Love me as well as I do you I will Sir I will from the very bottom of my Heart answer'd she Now I leave it to the Reader 's Judgment to imagine what effects these Words proceeding from the Mouth of his most ador'd Mistress had upon the Marshal Indeed he was quite transported beyond himself he Kiss'd her a thousand times and that so close as if he were in a Trance The English Lady giving him some weak Repulses they serv'd only to add Fuel to his Fire and to inflame his Passion and not being able to contain himself any longer he with the consent of his Fair One who was as hard put to it as himself to preserve her Honour took a walk in an adjacent Wood. When she found her self alone I expose my self to no small danger said she in entertaining a Person who appears very dangerous to a tender Heart Alass Heavens I am only too sensible of his lovely Accomplishments he has somewhat so charming in him that my Liberty is in great danger of suffering Ship-wrack This Conquerour will in time Triumph over my Weakness if I don't oppose him with all my Strength Having made these Reflections which her almost dying Vertue did inspire her withal she took her Pen and having understood by a certain Friend whō was going into Swisserland that her Husband had been seen in that Country she wrote him these following Lines Cruel Ungrateful YOU appear so despicable to me at this time that your neglect shall not cost me so much as one Sigh What cou'd induce you to leave your faithful Spouse without Remorse There need no great question to be made concerning the difference of our Sentiments they are so opposite to one another that they are pass'd all Reconciliation on my side Oh! had it pleas'd Heaven which has punish'd me for loving you too much to let me know you as well long ago as I do at present This Knowledge wou'd have sav'd me many a torrent of Tears and Sighs which I have so lavishly bestow'd upon an ungrateful Man who is not in the least worthy of 'em When you seriously consider with your self unto what danger you have expos'd a Woman of my Age and if I may say so my self who may also pretend to some merit you ought to blush for shame My Vertue has hitherto defended it self against those Temptations which daily present themselves before my Eyes But alass How difficult it is to be assur'd of an entire Victory over ones own Inclinations How do you know but that when matters come to the utmost extremity my strength may fail me Make haste therefore to help me before I am utterly lost which I shall certainly be without your Presence You have left me destitute of Mony and all other comforts What wou'd you have me resolve upon in this miserable Condition If it had not been for a certain Friend of
Maid still and that he may enjoy her as such This is an extravagant piece of Folly reply'd the Marshal such a Fellow as this if he liv'd in France wou'd be sent to the House of Correction It is not the Spanish fashion answer'd the Woman to imprison Gentlemen for being in Love with their Sisters there are so many examples of this nature that nothing is more common Every one loves here what he likes best without making any further Reflection upon the matter The Marshal de Boufflers having ended this Discourse with his Land-Lady retir'd to his Chamber ruminating with himself concerning what he had understood from her His Thoughts were much distracted the whole Night and the Day following He began to consider with himself to what danger he was about to expose himself if Donna Olympia's Brother shou'd find him with her if this ugly Devil this Aesop shou'd said he discover our Intrigue we are both undone without Remedy Plague on him that this Monster shou'd have so good a Head-piece but let it be as it will the hopes of possessing so charming a Creature is a sufficient Recompence for a little danger Having taken this Resolution he went towards the Rendez-vous dress'd like an Adonis and was no sooner come near the Gate of the Vault when he saw the same Black-Moor with a Pike in his Hand ready to attend him The first thing he did was to demand the Marshal's Sword and what other Arms he had about him which so surpris'd the Marshal that he made some difficulty of granting it But the Black-Moor who spoke good French inform'd him that it was the Custom of the Country for any Gentleman to leave his Sword at the Door before he enter'd a Lady's Appartment I know very well reply'd the General that this is practis'd in your common Houses but the Case is otherwise here where I believe my self to be in a Person of Qualities Lodgings No matter for that answer'd the Moor with a Smile give us your Sword Sir give us your Sword Love having by this time overcome his Reason he deliver'd up his Sword to the Moor with some Lovis's d'or at which the Black-Moor being overjoy'd assur'd our General of his Fidelity telling him that he needed fear nothing since he was left to his care for said he Don Bilboaono the Brother of this Lady is such a Devil of a Man that there is not one in the whole House that has not wish'd him to the Devil these ten Years Well it 's enough my Friend reply'd Monsieur de Boufflers come lead me to your Mistresses Chamber Donna Olympia having over-heard these last words open'd the Door of her Closet and the Marshal being enter'd found her almost half undress'd leaning upon a Couch embroider'd with very fine Flowers Her Complexion being very fair and the Room where she was beautify'd with Black Marble and illuminated with a great many Wax-tapers she appear'd to him more beautiful than an Angel He did not approach without bearing the marks of a profound respect in his Countenance and having set one of his Knees before her on the Ground 'T is none but you say'd he Divine Creature that has the Power of Captivating my Reason Your beauty has so far astonish'd me that I am Transported even beyond my self Then a charming blush cover'd her Face and Breasts which made our Spanish Lady appear without comparison the fairest in the World After she rise from her Couch she went to the Looking Glass where she pretended to set in order some of the puffs of her Hair which were interwoven with the finest Diamonds that ever were seen The Marshal then espying one of her little Hands whiter than the very Snow he kiss'd it for the space of half an Hour without intermisssion This his passionate Behaviour made Donna Olympia blush and casting a very amourous look at him Pray Sir said she either moderate your Passion or I am undone Good God assist me Where shall I find strength enough to ressist you Ah! Madam reply'd he how is it possible for me not to be sensible of your powerful Charms It is you that inspire me alone at this Moment and I can swear and protest to you that in all my Life-time I never was so much enamour'd as now having never met with any Object which appear'd to me so adorable as your self not only in point of Beauty but also with respect to all other Perfections which are able to charm a Mortal Man Sir answer'd the Lady with a languishing Air is it possible that a Frenchman can be sincere It is the general Opinion among us here that their Amours are never real but meer Compliments and satteries By Heaven Sir such a sort of Love wou'd not very well agree with my Constitution And shall never receive any Encouragement from me Here the Marshal interrupted her with a Kiss I know very well say'd he Madam that I ought to offer you something more Substantial than bare Words but it is not always advisable to be too forward don't you know that when a Fort is to be Attackt we first take a view of its Avenues and Out-works Donna Olympia who wou'd fain have perswaded the Marshal that she did not understand his meaning began to play with her little sucking Pig which was adorn'd with red Ribands This Creature had also Silver-Bells in his Ears and about his Neck nay even at the Tail which made a strange kind of Harmony This is the Fashion among the Spanish Lady's who chuse rather to carry a little sucking Pig under their Arm than the finest Lap-dog 'T is their Custom to make it squeek when their Gallants ask 'em a Favour Our Marshal who perceiv'd her intent took it from her and put it into a little Hutch made for that purpose Then renewing his Courtship with a Thousand amourous Sighs He at last forc'd these words from her fair Lips Oh! I Love you with a most violent Passion And what Proof reply'd the Marshal embracing her will you give me of your Passion You will not grant me the least Favour Ay don't you know that Love is a Child which pines after the utmost Favour And what Sir reply'd she must a Woman keep nothing to her self when she is to prove that she Loves Are not Oaths strong and convincing enough to Lovers Then laying her Thumb a cross one of her other Fingers and kissing it a thousand times according to the Spanish Fashion she told him I Love you above my Life 'T is impossible for me to believe you Madam reply'd the Marshal in stealing some Kisses from her fair Lips it s meerly impossible to believe it except you grant me that which is the only Pledge requir'd by Lovers Surely reply'd she with a very serious Countenance I can scarce perswade my self that your Words are answerable to your Intentions for shou'd I grant your desire you wou'd cease to Love me as soon as you had enjoy'd me don't you know that that
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
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
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
begin to repent of those Words which the refusal of her last Favour made me utter He reproach'd himself thus for a long time and so tormented himself both that Night and the next Day that his grief seem'd to be pas'st Remedy At last after a Thousand Reflections which distracted his Mind he resolv'd to go and renew his Visits to the Marchioness at the accustom'd time Donna Olympia in the the mean while who had not left the Marshal without a great constraint was altogether overwhelm'd with Grief and Tears Medina her dear Confident found her in this Posture and she happen'd to come in very Opportunely for Donna Olympia was just ready to Kill her self with the Marshal's Sword which he had left with the Moor who had given it to his Lady as somewhat very precious belonging to the Marshal de Boufflers whereas it wou'd have prov'd fatal to this Poor Lady if her Kinswoman had not stopt her Hands crying out to her For God's sake what are you going about to do Consider that you are a Christian and that you must be answerable for a Soul which you have receiv'd from Almighty God What is it that cou'd put you upon such a desperate Resolution Can the ill usage of a Lover be a Motive strong enough to incite you to Murder your self Oh! consider and dread God's Justice which never lets Crimes of this nature go unpunish'd Donna Olympia was not able to speak one Word in answer to Medina but all her strength sailing her she fell into a Swoon at the Feet of her Kinswoman This young Lady having lifted her up and lay'd her upon a Couch by the help of some strong Waters which she held to her Nose brought her to her self again My Dearest Cosin said she tenderly embracing her what was it that cou'd induce you to take this rash Resolution of Destroying your self Alass my Dearest reply'd the Marchioness in a languishing Tone What wou'd you have me tell you That ungrateful Man of whom I have spoke to you has already made me feel the effects of his Inconstancy This Perfidious Creature has abandon'd me before he has enjoy'd the sweet Fruits of our Love Oh! you only spoke too true Medina when you told me that the French were Fickle and Capricious in Love I am only too sensible that I ought to fly from him but I cannot my Passion forces me to set aside all other considerations which wou'd banish me from his Sight Medina was about to make Answer when Don Bilboano the Marchioness's Brother having heard the out-cryes of the Women in her Chamber when she Swoon'd away entr'd the Room with his Sword ready drawn Donna Olympia having a quick Wit immediately hid the Marshal's Sword under her Bed to take away all manner of Suspicion from her Brother whom she knew to be almost mad with Jealousie She gave him to understand how all upon a sudden she felt her self so ill that she Swoon'd away but that thanks to Heaven she was now very well recover'd Don Bilboano told his Sister that he was overjoy'd to see her so well and having Caress'd her in a more Passionate manner than became a Brother he left the Room Night now began to approach and our Lady who was very impatient to see her Lover again made her Black-Moor stand Centry at the same door thro' which the Marshal was wont to be conducted into her Appartment having desir'd Medina to stay with her till such time that he shou'd come in whom she expected with so much Impatience Our General did not fail to be there at the accustom'd Hour but under the disguise of a Dragoon for fear of being taken too much notice of if he always appear'd as an Officer He presented his Sword to the Moor who refus'd to take it not knowing him in this Disguise The Marshal having convinc'd the Moor by putting some Lovis's d'or into his Hand that it was himself he by that means sav'd his Life which he had else put in jeopardy for his Mistress's sake Having enter'd his Mistress's Chamber he threw himself immediately at her Feet begging of her to pardon all what he had told her protesting that he was very sensible of his Fault and that if she thought fit he wou'd expiate it by making himself a Sacrifice at her Feet He express'd these words to naturally and with an Air so engaging that the Marchioness's anger was wholly appeas'd she reproachi'd him with his Inconstancy and want of Love She call'd him Capricious fickle and Inconstant Frenchman and added many other Taunts which she imagin'd might affect him most sensibly The Marshal bore every thing not with the patience of a Dragoon for this is a quality not peculiar to 'em but like Job for he did not so much as utter one word in answer to her Reproaches On the contrary to make some amends for his Fault he did nothing but kiss sometimes her Hand and sometimes the Hemm of her Garment she being that day Dress'd all in Black it being the Custom in Spain if a Lady looses her Gallant or believes she has lost him to dress herself in Mourning Cloaths 'T was for this same reason that Donna Olympia had put her self in Mourning imagining that she shou'd never see the Marshal again who was as yet resolv'd not to quit her so before he was come a little nearer to the Point Conformably to this Resolution he press'd her very hard not to let him suffer any longer adding that the Pains which she made him endure were beyond Expression nay that they cou'd not be imagin'd by any Person but one who lov'd so Passionately as himself Donna Olympia seeing what pains the Marshal took to represent to her his Love cou'd not forbear laughing at it when the Marshal with a Smile told her Madam indeed you are very Cruel thus to divert your self at the expence of your unfortunate Lovers whom you make to languish at your Feet without shewing the least Compassion to 'em when you go to Confession I hope you 'll not forget to tell your Father Confessor among other Sins how you make it your diversion to cause Mankind to dye a languishing Death and how many Murders have been committed by those fair Eyes I don't know Sir reply'd the Marchioness laughing outright I never took any account of their number But continu'd she looking upon the Marshal who feign'd himself Ill Pray tell me whether you are Sick in good earnest Pray let me feel your Pulse truly it beats very quick Alass my dearest Creature reply'd the Marshal de Boufflers embracing her how shou'd it be possible to be so near so lovely and charming an Object as you are without the greatest emotion of all my Vital Spirits certainly if you don 't soon take pity of me I cannot live much longer Oh Heavens reply'd the Lady keeping him at a little distance how you put me into a fright in this habit of a Dragoon How cou'd it enter your Thoughts thus to
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
very uneasie that he was not gone before my dear sweet Husband I will notfail to do it do but yno go to the Abbot du Gret 't is possible he may else employ another Lawyer O Plague said he putting on his Cloak I shou'd not like that for he is a pleasant sort of a Fellow besides he has always some Law-business or another especially relating to Women being a particular admirer of the fair Sex and is always busie in grafting in their Gardens For that I understand said Monsieur Boufflers this is a dangerous Spark Adieu reply'd Monsieur Niguese my Wife knows him better than I. The Counsellor's Lady being thus rid of the troublesome Company of her Husband immediately enter'd upon her Love-concerns which was what the Marshal wish'd for The Parly was soon over and in a little time they began to examine matters piece by piece but especially those of the Marshal de Boufflers which this fair Lady handl'd almost without Intermission confessing to him ingenuously that she had never touch'd any thing so well proportion'd in her Life-time But Madam reply'd he perceiving that she was no novice at the Trade you have forgot my Lord President 's are not his Parts superiour to mine Oh! there is a great deal of difference my Dear reply'd she with a little Confusion I never met with a more disagreeable Man in the whole course of my Life than he is from Head to Foot for his Natural Parts both above and below are so inconsiderable that one wou'd swear he had been clipt on all sides This was enough for our Marshal to satisfy himself in what he was desirous to know concerning this Lady with whom he had been so lately engag'd and whom he had found also very defective as to what he had imagin'd her to be at first Sight Wherefore after some farther Conversation altogether relating to Love Affairs he was for taking his leave but the Lady who was not so soon cool'd as he entreated him to stay a little longer which the Marshal excus'd under pretence that a violent Fit of the Colick had seis'd him so that without any farther delay he departed from thence to give a visit to one of his Relations who liv'd in the Suburbs of St. Germain to whom he gave an account of this whole Adventure without mincing the matter O brave cry'd this Lady laughing at him now you have catch'd a Tortois indeed you have bestow'd your Love upon a very deserving Creature whose chief Reputation is that she prostitutes herself to all sorts of Men viz Priests Monks Hostlers c. nothing comes amiss to her even to the Curate of Meudon and he you must know is a brave Fellow indeed And what is this terrible Fellow pray reply'd the Marshal de Boufflers desiring her to continue her discourse What he is reply'd Madam Garenne Ill tell you my Dear Kinsman he bespatters the reputation of all the Women and Maids in his Parish except such as he knows to be willing to comply with his Brutish Lust That Impudent Rascal reply'd the Marshal laughing ought to be sous'd as well as all the rest of the Religious Orders that cannot keep within their bounds I know one my self whom I make use of sometimes for a Father Confessour who oftner talks of Love than of Penance to those Ladies who come to him to Confession One of the Lady's Gentlewomen coming into the Room broke off the Discourse telling her that the Countess of was come to pay her Honour a Visit The Marshal very earnestly looking in the Face of of this Gentlewoman found her as fair as an Angel besides that she had a most Charming sweetness in her Speech and whole Deportment Monsieur de Boufflers having been instantly touch'd with her Charms told his Cousin that for certain Reasons he wou'd not be present while the Countess paid her Visit but that in the mean while he wou'd stay in her Chamber Madam Garenne who had always a great deal of Complaisance for him said to her waiting Woman Janneton do you in the mean time entertain my Cousin with the pleasant Adventures of the unfortunate She Lover which was at that time a new Novel much in Vogue and which her Gentlewoman had got by Heart She had no sooner begun to relate the first Intrigue when the Marshal Squeezing her Hands between his told her with a very Passionate look I wish you wou'd rather tell me somewhat concerning your own Love-concerns than of others In which I have not the least share How Sir reply'd Janneton with a blush shou'd I relate to you my own Love-Adventures who never Lov'd in my Life-time Is it possible my fairest answer'd the Marshal that so charming a Creature as you shou'd not have been made sensible of the force of Love You wou'd Madam said he give but will not take I don 't in the least believe reply'd she with a very becoming Modesty that it is in my Power to engage any one in Love Oh! Madam reply'd the Marshal smiling you are but only too powerful for at this very Moment you have made me your Slave Janneton who was unacquainted with such Passionate Expressions especially coming from the Mouth of such a Gentleman as the Marquess de Boufflers return'd no answer to what he said but rising from her seat was about to leave the Marshal alone notwithstanding her Mistresses orders to entertain him during her Absence But the Marshal stopping her Passage whether will you fly said he my dear Child pray don't deny to hear my sufferings What wou'd you have me say Sir reply'd the young Gentlewoman with a blush which had spread it self all over her Face I don't understand your Language and I am much surpris'd that you 'll stoop so low as to make it your business to wheedle so inconsiderable a Person as I am who am altogether ignorant in the Love Cards as in the Art of Algebra Thou art in Jest sure my Dearest reply'd the Marshal going to Kiss her Mouth which was very small and as red as Coral Love is Natural to both Sexes and I can read it in thy fair Eyes that thou art not insensible of it Oh! thou pretty Rogue let me embrace thee else I dye without delay Dye if you please Sir reply'd Janneton pushing him from her you are full of your Transports and Familiarities which are in no wise agreeable to my Humour how long have you known me thus to call me thou at every turn you may call your Servant-Maids so if you please As for me I was born the Daughter of the Marquess de la Fleur who is descended of a noble and ancient Family in Bretaigne tho' somewhat decay'd and under a Cloud at this time Madam Garenne has been pleas'd to take me into her House and does not treat me like a Servant but as a Friend The Marshal having consider'd with himself that his Cousin at her going out of the Room had desir'd her to entertain him which
Office does not belong to Chamber-maids he told her throwing himself at her Feet Madam I beg your Pardon I was not so happy as to know you before besides 't was the excess of my Passion that made me take too much liberty but I find you Cruel and Inexorable to the highest degree As far I can see you wou'd let whole Troops of Lovers dye at your Feet without the least Compassion on your side certainly Madam this is a crime of the highest Nature to be so Inhuman I take it to be a greater Crime in you Sir reply'd Janneton laughing at his being in this Posture to endeavour to perswade us if we were so Foolish as to believe it that you are most Passionately in Love with all such Persons to whom you address your Courtships but as for my part you must excuse me if I cannot give Credit to your Asseverations I know a little too well the true Character of you Courtiers not by Experience but by the Relations of others who have had the Opportunity to try ' em And what do those pretty incredulous Creatures say of us reply'd the Marshal carelesly O Sir said Janneton they 'll tell you of a thousand Dissembling and Perfidious tricks such as are altogether unbecoming a great Soul I wonder how Gentlemen of Quality can condescend to make use of such mean ways to deceive our Sex I shou'd think that Love being the most innocent Commerce among us Mortals shou'd be founded upon honourable Principles You have spoke very well my most adorable Janneton cry'd the Marshal Transported with Passion but you must consider that these Lady 's of whom you speak deal somewhat unjustly with us in representing all Men of one and the same Temper There are some that are Lovers of Honour and Integrity and wou'd scorn to deal upon other Terms with your Sex thanks to my Stars I am of the number of these and I wou'd sooner added he drawing his Sword out of the Scabbard thrust this thro' my Heart than deceive a Lady that Loves me Then Sir reply'd the young Lady smiling one must Love you if one wou'd make sure of your Heart Yes Divine Creature said Monsieur de Boufflers that is the only way to Conquer it and to make it your Vassal Madam Garenne who had re-conducted the Countess to her Coach coming in interrupted 'em otherwise our General wou'd not have broke off so soon But this Lady as soon as she was enter'd well Cousin said She has Mademoiselle de la Fleur entertain'd you with some satisfaction concerning the unfortunate She-Lover Yes Madam reply'd the Marshal casting a tender look upon Janneton but I have in my turn entertain'd her with that of the Unfortunate He Lover who cou'd not perswade his Mistress of his sincerity upon which subject I have enlarg'd to the utmost of my Ability Your Mademoiselle there is the most unlucky unbelieving Creature in the World she will not believe a Word one says except you forswear your self to the Devil you cannot perswade her of the least thing that can be O dear Cousin said Madam Garenne don't Swear you are not ignorant that the fair Sex is always incredulous and that they take a particular Pride in making their Gallants languish for ' em Plague on this way of making Love reply'd the Marquess pleasantly I wou'd have 'em take my Word at first Oh! my dear Kinsman answer'd the Lady this wou'd abate a great deal of the pleasure you know that every thing that is bought dear pleases best If a Woman shou'd at first sight surrender her Heart you wou'd be deprivd of the most charming part of your Passion What is easily obtain'd soon looses its Vigour and fades as fast as it grows But come let us talk of other more substantial matters one cannot live upon Love and in my mind Love is but a slender Diet. No sooner had the Lady broke off this Discourse but she order'd that a good Collation shou'd be got ready in the mean time the Marshal who appear'd very pensive retir'd into another Room where having fix'd his Eyes upon several Pictures representing some Rural Nymphs he diverted himself with some Pastoral Songs which his Kinswoman having taken notice of Come Come Cousin cry'd she awake out of your Amourous slumber come taste whether my Wine be good By my Faith Madam answer'd the Marshal I am so drunk with Love that all other Food is insipid every thing else is indifferent to me Not very long ago continu'd he being at Supper with the two Marshals de Crequi and de Navaille and my Thoughts being taken up with a certain amourous Assignation at a place where I had been entertain'd some time before with a great deal of Delight and Satisfaction these Gentlemen finding me thus pensive were so spiteful as to slip upon my Plate a great piece of a Candle which I swallow'd ere I was aware of it and when this was done you may imagine they jeer'd me very handsomely What a Fool dost thou make thy self Boufflers said Madam Garenne thus to put thy self into Amourous Raptures if a compleat History of thy Love-adventures were to be committed to Writing it wou'd undoubtedly make a very large Volume When you have drunk this Glass of Wine which she presented to him be so Complaisant said she to him as to tell me who it is that at present has Captivated your Heart And wou'd you have me tell you sincerely my dear Kinswoman reply'd the Marshal 't is Mademoiselle de la Fleur who has chain'd me so closely that I shall scarce be able to bear it long except this lovely Child will take some pitty on me She appears to me the most amiable Person in the World her pretty little Mouth her roguish Eyes which send forth their Rays like so many Darts every moment Lord I shall run Mad if I think any longer of 'em Come Truce in Love for some time Come let us drink once continu'd he Drinking a hearty draught of Wine which was extraordinary good Here is to your best Inclinations here is to your charming Eyes said he to Mademoiselle de la Fleur who was just coming into the Room Come Janneton said Madam Garenne laughing Pledge the Marshal that same Health Madam reply'd the young Gentlewoman very modestly I have business of greater moment than to pledge the Marshal's Health to my Inclinations which as I am apt to believe are not agreeable to his sentiments who admires good natur'd and plyable Lady's and those too must be as sweet and tender as young Mutton Thus I wou'd wish it to be Mademoiselle reply'd the Marshal taking her by the Hand Pray Sir said Janneton very gravely let me go I am just now about to paint you one which I am sure will please you Provided she be like you reply'd Monsieur de Boufflers I am sure I shall like her Mademoiselle de la Fleur being gone out of the Room our General who was really in Love
both with her Wit and engaging Air spoke concerning her with a great deal of earnestness to his Cousin who gave him to understand that she was a Gentlewoman of good Quality and that out of Respect she had made her her Companion Indeed she told me so answer'd the Marshal and she did not forget to mention the great Obligations she had to you I have a great deal of Compassion for her upon that score reply'd the Lady truely I know her to be a young Woman of a good Reputation and I hope she has Wit enough to keep it And so do I Madam reply'd the Marshal if she will take my Word for it I assure you I Love her as much The Lady having soon understood the Marshal's meaning Pray Cousin said she don't you go about to Debauch this young Gentlewoman for whom I have a particular kindness it is a strange thing that you Gentlemen cannot employ your time better than to put Love-tricks into the young Womens Heads who of a sudden turn Fools and are undone by it Your Amourous Intreagues are as dangerous as your Martial Exploits You talk of nothing when you are together but of consuming of Hearts as well as Villages by Fire and by your good will you wou'd reduce every thing to Ashes Come employ you Fire-locks in another Place than in my House which you ought to Honour and Respect But Madam reply'd the Marshal briskly supposing this Fire you speak of shou'd first break out in your House may not a Man complain of ' it or make himself satisfaction Ay Ay you are never unprovided for a Repartee reply'd the Lady but let me desire you if you will oblige me not to talk of Love to Janneton whenever you see her Then the Devil take me my dear Cousin said Monsieur de Boufflers hastily if any thing in the World can make me do that at that rate I must go and cut out my I dare not name it Oh! cry'd the Lady laughing you are not half so desperate as you wou'd make us believe Farewel you are only sick in Fancy I leave you to your self But Madam reply'd the Marshal pleasantly and shall I not have the liberty to love Mademoiselle de la Fleur and to tell her No No not her cry'd the Lady Declare your Passion to some Body else where it will turn to better Account Janneton was not made for such Sparks as you You may say what you please my dear Cousin said the Marshal just as he was going but this I am sure of I am resolv'd to adore her No sooner was the Marshal gone but Madam Garenne call'd for Janneton who was at that time making a piece of Embroidery-work which was the Figure of Diana wrought with Silk and Gold she had represented this Goddess so lively sitting just upon the Banks of a small Current that it was charming to behold and one cou'd not chuse but extremely admire both the skill of the Work-Woman and the exactness of the Work When she was come down to Madam Garanna she began to give her a very sober Lesson concerning the Marshal de Boufflers whom she told her she must by no means hearken to but fly from his presence as that of her greatest Enemy if you did but know my Dearest said she unto what danger a young Woman exposes her self whenever she lends an Ear to the flattering Courtships of your Soldiers it wou'd make you stand amaz'd nothing but what is terrible and frightful belongs to 'em and a vertuous Woman must inevitably loose her Reputation if she be conversant with 'em if they happen to meet with any one that is so foolish as to be catch'd in the Snare she will be sure to be rewarded with a certain loathsome Distemper which is not fit to be nam'd and makes a great many Women undergo the Martrydom of Love Young Women who design to make their Fortune in the World must not set up for light House-Wives but fly from the Company of Men as it were so many evil Spirits this is the ready way to advance themselves the sooner by a good Match I remember that the first time that I saw my Husband I had not till then spoke to any other Man in somuch that he was more taken with my innocent Behaviour than with my Beauty and Portion tho' both of 'em if I may say it without Vanity were not despiseable I having at that time the Reputation of being one of the most beautifull VVomen in Paris You have still a great share of it reply'd Janneton smiling you are still worthy of the same Character Let us set jesting a side reply'd the Lady and let us return to Boufflers who is one of the most dangerous Men in the World to hear him talk of his Passion you wou'd imagine that the whole Universe was not able to contain it which often comes to no more than a Visit I don't know Madam reply'd Mademoiselle de la Fleur with a very serious Countenance why you shou'd give such a Lesson to me who never knew any thing of the General but what I heard you speak and to whom I never spoke in my Life before till now Well Well Janneton said Madam Garenne that advantage is not very great on your side For to tell you the true motive which makes me talk thus to you you must know that he has declar'd to me that he is fall'n in Love with you Jesus Maria reply'd Janneton much surpris'd is it possible that he shou'd be so Silly as to tell you a thing of this nature which I am apt to believe he scarce ever dream'd of Madam if you will take my opinion in the matter it was only to divert himself don't you observe what delight he takes to banter the Women He banters 'em often to some purpose said the Lady laughing he has by these bant'ring Tricks got many a young Soldier to defend our Frontiers 'T is not above two Months ago that a young Country-Damsel brought forth at one Birth two lusty Boys of his begetting which I believe lye a little hard upon him at present because he is oblig'd to take care as well of the Mother as of the Children whom he says he will make his Foot-men as soon as they are able to wear a Lavery-Coat He does very well reply'd Mademoiselle de la Fleur to find out so honourable an Employment for 'em in time Madam I wou'd have you be at rest as to this Point for I assure you that I never shall love Monsieur de Boufflers But Alass how difficult a task it is for a young tender Heart to forswear Love which by degrees Triumphs over all the World This fair One was no sooner got-up into her Chamber again but she began to feel some extraordinary Emotions for the Marshal whose Idea was firmly fixt in her Mind tho' she had spoke of him with so much indifferency to her Lady It seem'd as if the Lesson which she had
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
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
Enemies But no sooner was I laid down but I found my self alone and thinking to take my Spouse in my Arms I found nothing but the Sheets I might call as long as I pleas'd My Dearest where art thou No body would answer me so much as one word Now you must know that my Spouse had a certain Chamber-maid who was her Confident unto whom she had represented the aversion she had to Men adding withal That if she did not find out some way or another to prevent her being overcome by her Husband that night she would take a Resolution against her own Life This Chambermaid was at last mov'd with Compassion by the Tears of her Mistress whom like a young Chicken she saw in the Claws of a Bird of Prey in danger of loosing her most precious Jewel which was her Virginity her Name was Pasquette and being very ingenious at such like Inventions and willing to favour her Mistresses frailties or rather fantastick humour because she lov'd her very tenderly even from her Cradle at last discover'd a private door which she found means to open at pleasure and thro which our new marry'd Lady under favour of the darkness was convey'd out of the Chamber and hid her self in a Hay-loft with a resolution rather to dye than to suffer a Man to touch her Ladies continued the Count I leave it to your own consideration to judge in what a condition I found my self at that time No Enchantment that ever I heard of seem'd to me so surprising as this not knowing in the least that there was a Sally-port behind my Bed because the Chamber was all hung with Tapestry and having taken all the precaution imaginable to look before hand with a Candle in all the corners of the Room I was stark raving mad my Reason having quite left me It can never be so said I except the Devil plays his Pranks here I cry'd out and made a hideous noise like one in Bedlam I call'd her a thousand times by her Name but I might call long enough there was no body that answer'd me After I had made a sufficient Outcry I rose at last out of my Bed imagining that she might perhaps have hid her self underneath it as the Cavalier had done before whom I had hunted from thence The Love and tender Affection which I had for her were motives sufficiently strong to hinder me from taking up my Sword to fetch her out from thence as I had done before to the Cavalier besides I was sensible that I ought to make use of more gentle Arms against a young Virgin Wherefore after a great many vain Reflections which almost distracted my Brains I got under the Bed my self where I crawl'd up and down for a considerable time without being able to find any thing so that now I began tobelieve in good earnest that there must needs be Witchcraft in the case No sooner had the Count spoke these last words but his Spouse and all the rest of the Ladies laugh'd very heartily The Count perceiving how overjoyed they were at the recital of this Adventure which had cost him so much vexation and had almost put him quite besides himself if he had not had courage enough to bear up against that Daemon the Enemy of his Repose could not forbear to give 'em this Lesson Ladies said he you are those familiar Spirits which are sent from the other world on purpose to damn and torment Mankind and to make them dye a lingering Death Whereupon the Ladies laugh'd as if they had been out of their Wits and desired him to proceed in his Story Ladies reply'd Monsieur de Surlaube we are far yet from the end of our Adventures My unhappy Destiny which persecuted me or rather that detestable Daemon that would make me dye the most cruel and violent Death that can be imagined did not stop here He had prepared for me these sufferings which were sufficient to send the most constant and bravest Lover that ever was heard of in any amorous History to his Grave The Marchioness de Brese the Mother of my new married Spouse being at last awaken'd with the noise I made came running all undrest into my Chamber asking me Where her Daughter was I answer'd her all overwhelm'd with Grief That I did not know what was become of her that she had disappear'd like a familiar Spirit without knowing which way she went except she were gone out thro the Chimney because the Windows were very closely shut up This good Lady having understood what I told her was in an incredible Agony about her Daughter verily believing that the same Chavalier who had hid himself under the Bed had stolen her away She was so much troubled at it that she would certainly have run distracted if Pasquette the Chamber-maid had not whisper'd her in the Ear that she knew where she was And where is she then said the Marchioness taking the Candle up her self Let us look in all corners Pasquette having told her Mother that she believed she had hid herself in the Hay-loft we all went thither in Procession where we found her lying amidst the Hay without any Cloaths but her Wedding Shift I leave it to your selves Ladies said the Count to guess how much surpriz'd I was to see her peepout of the Hay like a Mouse out of a Nest of her own making where she intended to have spent that whole night The Marchioness her Mother taking her by the hand drew her away by force she being very unwilling to to stir from thence and having first given her a good Reprimand she re-conducted her into my Chamber Being once more gone to bed I spent great part of the night in endeavouring to perswade her out of this savage and barbarous Humour but after I had endur'd the utmost fatigues I found my self where I was before Her Innocence and Youth which were the cause of her crime were all my Comfort in hopes that time would work out that which was impossible for my Love and Passion to effect I might represent to her what I thought fit concerning the sacred Tye of Matrimony which had join'd us together and that for the future we were to be but one Flesh according to the true Principles of Christianity That this was the most sacred and inviolable Knot of matrimonial and civil Society and the only one in which consisted all the Pleasure and Tranquillity that we Mortals are capable of enjoying upon Earth I did not forget to produce a thousand Examples of young Virgins who having been married at the same age had before the years end brought forth the fruits of their tender Love in having honour'd their Husbands with Children which were look'd upon as the Pledges of Conjugal Love and as certain Blessings from Heaven All these Reflections were in vain and made no more impression upon her Mind than if she had heard a Fanatick or Mountebank making an Harangue Come come Count said Monsieur de
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