Her winsome ways,
pleasant voice, and graceful dancing soon made her a favourite
with the courtiers, who voted her an excellent wench; though some
of her own sex, judging harshly of her, as is their wont towards
each other, declared her "the most impertinent slut in the
world."
Now the Duke of Buckingham knowing her well, it seemed to him no
woman was more suited to fulfil his purpose of thwarting the
countess; for if he succeeded in awaking the king's passion for
the comedian, such a proceeding would not only arouse my lady's
jealousy, but likewise humble her pride. Therefore, when this
court Mephistopheles accompanied his majesty to the playhouse, he
was careful to dwell on Moll Davis's various charms, the
excellency of her figure, the beauty of her face, the piquancy of
her manner. So impressed was the monarch by Buckingham's
descriptions, that he soon became susceptible to her
fascinations. The amour once begun was speedily pursued; and she
was soon enabled to boast, in presence of the players, that the
king--whose generosity was great to fallen women--had given her a
ring valued at seven hundred pounds, and was about to take, and
furnish most richly, a house in Suffolk Street for her benefit
and abode. Pepys heard this news in the first month of the year
1668; and soon afterwards a further rumour reached him that she
was veritably the king's mistress, "even to the scorn of the
world."
This intrigue affected Lady Castlemaine in a manner which the
Duke of Buckingham had not expected.
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