But inasmuch as this history is concerned with the social
rather than the political life of those mentioned in its pages,
place must be given to such adventures as were connected with the
court and courtiers. Buckingham's were chiefly concerned with
his intrigues, which, alas! were many and strange; for though
his wife was loving and virtuous, she was likewise lean and
brown, and wholly incapable of controlling his erring fancies.
Perhaps it was knowledge of her lack of comeliness which helped
her to bear the burden of his follies; for according to Madame
Dunois, though the duchess knew he was continually engaged in
amours, she, by virtue of a patience uncommon to her sex, forbore
mentioning the subject to him, and "had complaisance enough to
entertain his mistresses, and even lodge them in her house, all
which she suffered because she loved him."
The most remarkable of his intrigues was that which connected his
name with the Countess of Shrewsbury. Her ladyship, was daughter
of the second Earl of Cardigan, and wife of the eleventh Earl of
Shrewsbury. She was married a year previous to the restoration,
and upon the establishment of the court at Whitehall had become
one of its most distinguished beauties. Nor was she less famed
for the loveliness of her person than for the generosity of her
disposition; inasmuch as none who professed themselves desirous
of her affection were ever allowed to languish in despair. She
therefore had many admirers, some of whom were destined to suffer
for the distinction her friendship conferred.
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