He had never before thought of her, but as soon as he found that she was honoured with the king’s attention, he was of opinion that she was likewise deserving of his.  Having attached himself to her, he soon became very troublesome, without convincing her he was much in love.  She grew weary of his persecutions, but he would not desist, neither on account of her ill-treatment nor of her threats.  This conduct of his at first made no great noise, because she was in hopes that he would change his behaviour; but finding him rashly persist in it, she complained of him:  and then it was that he perceived that if love renders all conditions equal, it is not so between rivals.  He was banished the court, and not finding any place in France which could console him for what he most regretted—­the presence and sight of his prince—­after having made some slight reflections upon his disgrace, and bestowed a few imprecations against her who was the cause of it, he at last formed the resolution of visiting England.

Memoirs of count Grammont, volume 3.

By Anthony Hamilton

Edited, with notes, by sir Walter Scott

CHAPTER SIXTH.

His arrival at the English court
—­the various personages of this court

Curiosity to see a man equally famous for his crimes and his elevation, had once before induced the Chevalier de Grammont to visit England.  Reasons of state assume great privileges.  Whatever appears advantageous is lawful, and every thing that is necessary is honourable in politics.  While the King of England sought the protection of Spain in the Low Countries, and that of the States-General in Holland, other powers sent splendid embassies to Cromwell.

This man, whose ambition had opened him a way to sovereign power by the greatest crimes, maintained himself in it by accomplishments which seemed to render him worthy of it by their lustre.  The nation, of all Europe the least submissive, patiently bore a yoke which did not even leave her the shadow of that liberty of which she is so jealous; and Cromwell, master of the Commonwealth, under the title of Protector, feared at home, but yet more dreaded abroad, was at his highest pitch of glory when he was seen by the Chevalier de Grammont; but the Chevalier did not see any appearance of a court.  One part of the nobility proscribed, the other removed from employments; an affectation of purity of manners, instead of the luxury which the pomp of courts displays all taken together, presented nothing but sad and serious objects in the finest city in the world; and therefore the Chevalier acquired nothing by this voyage but the idea of some merit in a profligate man, and the admiration of some concealed beauties he had found means to discover.

Affairs wore quite a different appearance at his second voyage.  The joy for the restoration of the royal family still appeared in all parts.  The nation, fond of change and novelty, tasted the pleasure of a natural government, and seemed to breathe again after a long oppression.  In short, the same people who, by a solemn abjuration, had excluded even the posterity of their lawful sovereign, exhausted themselves in festivals and rejoicings for his return.