As had been anticipated, the king became enamoured of this
charming woman, who, before departing with the princess,
faithfully promised to return and become his mistress. In his
desire to possess her the merry monarch was upheld by his grace
of Buckingham, who, continuing in enmity with the Duchess of
Cleveland, resolved to prevent her regaining influence over the
king by adding the beautiful Frenchwoman to the number of his
mistresses. He therefore told Charles, in the sarcastic manner
it was occasionally his wont to use, "it was a decent piece of
tenderness for his sister to take care of some of her servants;"
whilst on being sent into France, he assured Louis "he could
never reckon himself sure of the king, but by giving him a
mistress that should be true to his interests." But neither king
required urging to a resolution on which both had separately
determined; and soon Mademoiselle Querouaille was ready for her
journey to England. A yacht was therefore sent to Dieppe to
convey her, and presently she was received at Whitehall by the
lord treasurer, and her arrival celebrated in verse by Dryden.
Moreover, that she might have apartments in the palace, the king
at once appointed her a maid of honour to her majesty, this being
the first of a series of favours she was subsequently to receive.
Evelyn, writing in the following October, says it was universally
reported a ceremonious espousal, devoid of the religious rite,
had taken place between his majesty and Mademoiselle Querouaille
at Lord Arlington's house at Euston.
Pages:
284
285
286
287
288
289
290
291
292
293
294
295
296
297
298
299
300
301
302
303
304
305
306
307
308