Now one of the first to gain her attachment was the young Earl of
Arran, the grace of whose bearing and ardour of whose character
were alike notable to the court. The verses he sung her to an
accompaniment of his guitar, and the glances he gave her
indicative of his passion, might have melted a heart less cold
than hers. Accordingly they gained him a friendship which, by
reason of her vast benevolence, many were subsequently destined
to share. Now it chanced that the little Jermyn, who had already
succeeded in winning the affections of such notable women as the
poor Princess of Orange and my Lady Castlemaine, and had besides
conducted a series of minor intrigues with various ladies
connected with the court, was somewhat piqued that Lady
Shrewsbury had accepted my Lord Arran's attentions without
encouraging his. For Henry Jermyn, by virtue of the fascinations
he exercised and the consequent reputation he enjoyed, expected
to be wooed by such women as desired his love.
But when, later on, Lord Arran's devotion to the lady was
succeeded by that of Thomas Howard, brother to the Earl of
Carlisle, and captain of the guards, Jermyn was thoroughly
incensed, and resolved to make an exception in favour of the
countess by beginning those civilities which act as preludes to
intrigue. My lady, who was not judicious enough to be off with
the old love before she was on with the new, accepted Jermyn's
advances with an eagerness that gave promise of further favours.
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