"I acknowledge," says this
trustworthy chronicler "she was for the most part in her undresse
all day, and that there was fondnesse and toying with that young
wanton; nay, 'twas said I was at the former ceremony, but 'tis
utterly false; I neither saw nor heard of any such thing whilst I
was there, tho' I had ben in her chamber, and all over that
apartment late enough, and was myself observing all passages with
much curiosity."
She now became a central figure in the brilliant court of the
merry monarch, being loved by the king, flattered by the wits,
and tolerated by the queen, to whom--unlike the Duchess of
Cleveland--she generally paid the greatest respect. Her card
tables were thronged by courtiers eager to squander large sums
for the honour of playing with the reigning sultana; her suppers
were attended by wits and gallants as merry and amorous as those
who had once crowded round my Lady Castlemaine in the zenith of
her power. No expense was too great for his majesty to lavish
upon her; no honour too high with which to reward her affection.
The authority just mentioned says her apartments at Whitehall
were luxuriously furnished "with ten times the richnesse and
glory beyond the Queene's; such massy pieces of plate, whole
tables and stands of incredible value." After a residence of
little more than three years at court she was raised by King
Charles to the peerage as Baroness of Petersfield, Countess of
Farnham, and Duchess of Portsmouth; whilst the French king, as a
mark of appreciation for the services she rendered France,
conferred upon her the Duchy of Aubigny, in the province of Berri
in France, to which he added the title and dignity of Duchess and
Peeress of France, with the revenues of the territory of Aubigny.
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