did you not practise for the Countess de Fiesque, who perhaps might have been constant to you, if you had not yourself forced her to be otherwise?  But, to conclude, for the enumeration of your iniquities would be endless, give me leave to ask you, how you came here?  Are not we obliged to that same evil genius of yours, which rashly inspired you to intermeddle even in the gallantries of your prince?  Show some discretion then on this point here, I beseech you; all the beauties of the court are already engaged; and however docile the English may be with respect to their wives, they can by no means bear the inconstancy of their mistresses, nor patiently suffer the advantages of a rival:  suffer them therefore to remain in tranquillity, and do not gain their ill-will for no purpose.

“You certainly will meet with no success with such as are unmarried:  honourable views, and good landed property, are required here; and you possess as much of the one as the other.  Every country has its customs:  in Holland, unmarried ladies are of easy access, and of tender dispositions; but as soon as ever they are married, they become like so many Lucretias:  in France, the women are great coquettes before marriage, and still more so afterwards; but here it is a miracle if a young lady yields to any proposal but that of matrimony and I do not believe you yet so destitute of grace as to think of that.”

Such were Saint Evremond’s lectures; but they were all to no purpose:  the Chevalier de Grammont only attended to them for his amusement; and though he was sensible of the truth they contained, he paid little regard to them:  in fact, being weary of the favours of fortune, he had just resolved to pursue those of love.

Mrs. Middleton was the first whom he attacked:  she was one of the Handsomest women in town, though then little known at court:  so much of the coquette as to discourage no one; and so great was her desire of appearing magnificently, that she was ambitious to vie with those of the greatest fortunes, though unable to support the expense.  All this suited the Chevalier de Grammont; therefore, without trifling away his time in useless ceremonies, he applied to her porter for admittance, and chose one of her lovers for his confidant.

This lover, who was not deficient in wit, was at that time a Mr. Jones, afterwards Earl of Ranelagh:  what engaged him to serve the Chevalier de Grammont, was to traverse the designs of a most dangerous rival, and to relieve himself from an expense which began to lie too heavy upon him.  In both respects the Chevalier answered his purpose.

Immediately spies were placed, letters and presents flew about:  he was received as well as he could wish:  he was permitted to ogle:  he was even ogled again; but this was all.  He found that the fair one was very willing to accept, but was tardy in making returns.  This induced him, without giving up his pretensions to her, to seek his fortune elsewhere.