登陆注册
4132100000046

第46章 CHAPTER VII.(6)

Concerning these ladies and the merry monarch, Pepys narrates a strange story which Captain Ferrers told him as they "walked finely" in the park. This was, that at an entertainment given by my Lady Castlemaine, towards the end of which his majesty played at being married with fair Frances Stuart, "with ring and all other ceremonies of Church service, and ribbands, and a sack posset [A drink composed of milk, wine, and spices.] in bed, and flinging the stocking. My Lady Castlemaine looked on the while, evincing neither anger nor jealousy, but entering into the diversion with great spirit." Nor was this the only indiscretion of which she was culpable, for, in the full confidence of her charms, she frequently kept Miss Stuart to stay with her. "The king," says Hamilton, "who seldom neglected to visit the countess before she rose, seldom failed likewise to find Miss Stuart with her. The most indifferent objects have charms in a new attachment; however, the imprudent countess was not jealous of this rival's appearing with her, in such a situation, being confident that, whenever she thought fit, she could triumph over all the advantages which these opportunities could afford Miss Stuart."No doubt Lady Castlemaine's imprudences arose from knowledge that Miss Stuart was devoid of tact, and incapable of turning opportunities to her own advantage in the king's regard. For though the maid of honour was richly endowed with beauty, she was wholly devoid of wit. She was not only a child in years, but likewise in behaviour. She laughed at every remark made her, delighted in playing blind man's buff, and was never more happy than when building castles of cards. At this latter amusement she continually employed herself whilst the deepest play was taking place in her apartments; being always attended by groups of courtiers, who were either attracted by the charm of her beauty, or were eager to make court through her favour. As she sat upon the floor, intent on her favourite occupation, they on their knees handed her cards, traced out designs for her, or built elaborate structures rivalling her own.

Amongst those who attended her in this manner was the gay, graceful, and profligate Duke of Buckingham, who became enamoured of her loveliness. Not only did he raise the most wonderful of card mansions for her delight, but having a good voice, and she possessing a passion for music, he invented songs and sung them to pleasure her. Moreover, he told her the wittiest stories, turned the courtiers into the greatest ridicule for her entertainment, and made her acquainted with the most diverting scandals. Finally, he professed his ardent love for her; but at this the fair Stuart either felt, or feigned, intense astonishment, and so repulsed him that he abandoned the pursuit of an amour over which he had wasted so much time, and thenceforth deprived himself of her company.

His attentions were, however, soon replaced by those of the Earl of Arlington, a lord of the bedchamber, and a man of grave address and great ambition. Owing to this latter trait his lordship was desirous of winning the good graces of Miss Stuart in the present, in hopes of governing his majesty in the future, when she became the king's mistress. But these sage and provident intentions of his were speedily overturned, for early in the course of their acquaintance, when he had commenced to tell her a story, his manner so forcibly reminded her of Buckingham's mimicry of him, that she burst out laughing in the earl's face. This being utterly uncalled for by the circumstances of his tale, and still less by the manner of its narration, Lord Arlington, who was serious, punctilious, and proud, became enraged, abruptly left her presence, and abandoned his schemes of governing the king through so frivolous a medium.

A man who had better chances of success in winning this beautiful girl was George Hamilton, whose name has been already mentioned.

It was not, however, his graceful person, or elegant manner, but his performance of a trick which gained her attention. It happened one night that an Irish peer, old Lord Carlingford, was diverting her by showing how she might hold a burning candle in her mouth a considerable time without its being extinguished.

This was a source of uncommon delight to her; seeing which, George Hamilton thought he would give her still further entertainment. For being furnished by nature with a wide mouth, he placed within it two lighted candles, and walked three times round the room without extinguishing them, whilst the fair Stuart clapped her pretty hands in delight, and shouted aloud with laughter.

A man who could accomplish such a feat was worthy of becoming a favourite. She at once admitted him to terms of familiarity; and he had a hundred chances of paying her the attentions he greatly desired, and which she freely accepted. Grammont, foreseeing that Hamilton would incur the royal displeasure if his love for Miss Stuart became known to the king, besought him to abandon his addresses; but this advice did not at first sound pleasant to the lover's ears. "Since the court has been in the country," said he, "I have had a hundred opportunities of seeing her, which Ihad not before. You know that the dishabille of the bath is a great convenience for those ladies, who, strictly adhering to all the rules of decorum, are yet desirous to display all their charms and attractions. Miss Stuart is so fully acquainted with the advantages she possesses over all other women, that it is hardly possible to praise any lady at court for a well-turned arm, and a fine leg but she is ever ready to dispute the point by demonstration; and I really believe that, with a little address, it would not be difficult to induce her to strip naked, without ever reflecting upon what she was doing. After all, a man must be very insensible to remain unconcerned and unmoved on such happy occasions."Hamilton was therefore not willing to renounce Miss Stuart, but upon Grammont showing that attentions paid the lady would certainly provoke the king's anger, he resolved on sacrificing love to interest, and abandoning the company of the fair maid of honour for evermore. The truth was, his majesty loved her exceedingly, as was indeed evident, for he constantly sought her presence, talked to her at the drawing-rooms as if no one else were by, and kissed her "to the observation of all the world."But though she allowed Charles such liberties, she refused to become his mistress, notwithstanding the splendid settlements and high titles with which the monarch engaged to reward the sacrifice of her virtue. And so, though a king, it was not given him to be obeyed in all. And though generally loved for his easy ways and gracious manners, he was continually harassed by his mistresses, reproved by his chancellor, and ridiculed by his courtiers. Indeed, they now spoke of him in his absence as "Old Rowley;" the reason of which is given by Richardson. "There was an old goat," writes he, "in the privy garden, that they had given this name to; a rank lecherous devil, that everybody knew and used to stroke, because he was good-humoured and familiar;and so they applied this name to the king.".

同类推荐
  • 后汉书

    后汉书

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 时方妙用

    时方妙用

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 夏商野史

    夏商野史

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 叙净土往生传

    叙净土往生传

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 赋四相诗 礼部尚书

    赋四相诗 礼部尚书

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 贺卡题辞(当代教育丛书·现代名言妙语全集)

    贺卡题辞(当代教育丛书·现代名言妙语全集)

    这些名言警句句句经典,字字珠玑,精辟睿智,闪耀着智慧的光芒和精神的力量,具有很强的鼓舞性、哲理性和启迪性。具有成功心理暗示和潜在力量开发的功能,不仅可以成为我们的座右铭,还能增进自律的能力。
  • 这个郡主太傲娇

    这个郡主太傲娇

    据说,安国侯府的云裳郡主不仅容貌出众,还从小习武,那武功一般人绝对打不过她;据说,云裳郡主傲娇霸道,从不把任何人放在眼里;据说,云裳郡主自小便与摄政王定下婚约,结果摄政王收到圣旨没几天,直接跑路了,一消失就是十多年。直到某一天——“裳儿,跟我回皇城可好?”男人嘴角扬着笑,眼中满是宠溺。“回去干吗?”某郡主挑了挑眉“奉旨,娶你。”
  • 一品恶妇

    一品恶妇

    回归市井生活,努力写一个热闹好看的市井故事。她就是刁蛮泼辣,又如何?
  • 史上第一女反派

    史上第一女反派

    重生回来你最想干什么苏叶:怒打撕逼亲戚...咳换个积极向上的苏叶:赚大钱额,稍微丰满一点叻苏叶:赚全世界的钱那个,要是世界上的人不让你赚那么多钱,怎么办?苏叶:那就怒打全世界.....................这还能不能好好玩耍了
  • 废材逆袭:帝君独宠小野妃

    废材逆袭:帝君独宠小野妃

    她本是沐府的大小姐,却被亲人谋害,自爆而亡,穿越异世变成了一个野人,与狼为伍,与兽同寝。废材?穷?没后台?受尽嘲笑。一转眼,她变成天才灵师,随便炼点药都是成堆的银子,带着一窝魔兽四处浪,她就是自己的后台!初遇某男:“主子,这个野人要死了”狗腿子。“哦。”某帝君。“真可怜救她一下吧?”狗腿子。“滚。”某帝君。某女咬牙切齿,你给我等着。后来,风水轮流转:“小安安,我寒毒又发作了。”某帝君捂胸口。“哦,那你去死吧。”某女。--情节虚构,请勿模仿
  • 影视世界的律师

    影视世界的律师

    其实我是一个律师。――张·益达·爱情公寓唯一没有cp·斯内克·大炮·尔康·金甲战士·律政先锋·伟群:905473207 Ps:本书已完结,无大力,大力粉不要入坑了,会伤心的
  • 重生之毒医大小姐

    重生之毒医大小姐

    那一世为人所害,凄凉惨死,却不料竟然重生,这一世,她为刀俎,定要将那些人送进地狱!
  • “世子”当嫁,邪宠腹黑妻

    “世子”当嫁,邪宠腹黑妻

    金銮殿上,她祁云夜当众拒婚,三千青丝漫天飞扬,道出惊天秘密。祁王府最得宠的幺子其实是女儿身。却不曾想被帝王设计害得全家遭罪,午门台前,她悔恨不已。再次睁眼却重生于出生之时,这一世她不再任性,她要强大,强大到足够守护家人,对抗帝王!前世拿她当棋子之人,今生誓要他还…女扮男装当得祁王府世子!跟随神秘爷爷学习兵法商道!独上昆仑山拜师学艺!入军营披荆斩棘,扶摇直上!…且看女主女扮男装,一步步隐忍强大,怎样绽放耀世风华!此文正剧不小白,故事绝对精彩,给你们不一样的视觉阅读~片段一:祁云夜双手持剑,冷霜的剑锋直抵男人喉颈:“如果,我说要这天下,站上最高的位置呢?”男子不怒反笑,狂妄却霸道:“百万大军为聘,满朝文武为证,我许你天下。”她倾城一笑,“等你登基那一天,带着天下下聘,我亦跟随。”底下十万大军面面相觑,他们的将军竟然要委身与这个冷面皇子,这难道就是传说中的,断袖?!片段二:大婚当日,一身血红嫁衣,女子装扮,惊煞无数人,祁王世子竟然为新帝甘愿男扮女装!“云夜,为了配合新帝登基,你居然男扮女装,牺牲太大了!”祁云夜看着众人,一脸淡然:“我本红妆!”喜欢的亲就点点手指放入书架,这是乃们给我最好的鼓励和最大的动力。不烂尾,不弃坑,坑品有保证。推荐自己完结文:《相府傻妻》
  • 试飞英雄(二)

    试飞英雄(二)

    她才三十出头,领导和战友们都很关心她,希望她能再觅新缘,她轻轻地摇头,她指着心口说:“他已经长在我这里了。”我们都坐在车里,不动,不说话,静静地看着她走近,再走过。我相信她一个人在山道上慢慢行走的时候,满脑子都是对四哥甜蜜的回忆。试飞员烈士的遗孀几乎没有再婚的,因为在她们眼里,曾经用生命叱咤蓝天的那个人,无与伦比。
  • 重生之易帝传说

    重生之易帝传说

    (新书《篮坛之李元的时代》发布,请各位兄弟帮忙点击收藏。) 身为易黑,重生成为易建联,更高的天赋,更好的身体素质,目标成为NBA第一人,如果完成不了,系统之意:变成荆灵,啧啧啧!郑重提示,想看慢慢升级的,从第一章开始。一点憋屈受不了的,直接上架开始。想看秒天秒地秒空气的,嗯……暂时还没写到。