The queen’s court was always very numerous; that of the duchess was less so, but more select.  This princess had a majestic air, a pretty good shape, not much beauty, a great deal of wit, and so just a discernment of merit, that, whoever of either sex were possessed of it, were sure to be distinguished by her:  an air of grandeur in all her actions made her be considered as if born to support the rank:  which placed her so near the throne.

["The Duchess of York,” says Bishop Burnet, “was a very extraordinary woman.  She had great knowledge, and a lively sense of things.  She soon understood what belonged to a princess, and took state on her rather too much.  She wrote well, and had begun the duke’s life, of which she showed me a volume.  It was all drawn from his journal; and he intended to have employed me in carrying it on.  She was bred in great strictness in religion, and practised secret confession.  Morley told me he was her confessor.  She began at twelve years old, and continued under his direction till, upon her father’s disgrace, he was put from the court.  She was generous and friendly, but was too severe an enemy."-history of his Own Times, vol. i., p. 237.  She was contracted to the duke at Breda, November 24, 1659, and married at Worcester-house, 3rd September, 1660, in the night, between eleven and two, by Dr. Joseph Crowther, the duke’s chaplain; the Lord Ossory giving her in marriage.  —­Kennet’s Register, p. 246.  She died 31st March, 1671, having previously acknowledged herself to be a Roman Catholic.—­See also her character by Bishop Morley.—­Kennet’s Register, p. 385, 390.]

The queen dowager returned after the marriage of the princess royal, and it was in her court that the two others met.

The Chevalier de Grammont was soon liked by all parties those who had not known him before were surprised to see a Frenchman of his disposition.  The king’s restoration having drawn a great number of foreigners from all countries to the court, the French were rather in disgrace; for, instead of any persons of distinction having appeared among the first who came over, they had only seen some insignificant puppies, each striving to outdo the other in folly and extravagance, despising everything which was not like themselves, and thinking they introduced the ‘bel air’, by treating the English as strangers in their own country.

The Chevalier de Grammont, on the contrary, was familiar with everybody:  he gave in to their customs, eat of everything, and easily habituated himself to their manner of living, which he looked upon as neither vulgar nor barbarous; and as he showed a natural complaisance, instead of the impertinent affectation of the others, all the nation was charmed with a man, who agreeably indemnified them for what they had suffered from the folly of the former.

He first of all made his court to the king, and was of all his parties of pleasure:  he played high, and lost but seldom:  he found so little difference in the manners and conversation of those with whom he chiefly associated, that he could scarcely believe he was out of his own country.  Everything which could agreeably engage a man of his disposition, presented itself to his different humours, as if the pleasures of the court of France had quitted it to accompany him in his exile.