And two years later King Charles, prodigal of the honours he
conferred upon her, ennobled the son she had borne him in 1672.
The titles of the Duke of Richmond and Lennox having lately
reverted to the crown by the death of Frances Stuart's husband,
who was last of his line, the bastard son of the French mistress
was created Duke of Richmond and Earl of March in England, and
Duke of Lennox and Earl of Darnley in Scotland. To these proud
titles the present head of the noble house of Richmond and
Lennox--by virtue of the grant made by Louis XIV. to his
ancestress likewise adds that of Duc d'Aubigny in the peerage of
France.
But though honoured by the king, and flattered by the court, the
Duchess of Portsmouth was far from enjoying uninterrupted
happiness; inasmuch as her peace was frequently disturbed by
jealousy. The principal cause of her uneasiness during the first
five years of her reign was the king's continued infatuation for
Nell Gwynn; now, by reason of the elevated position she enjoyed,
styled Madam Ellen. This "impudent comedian," as Evelyn calls
her, was treated by his majesty with, extreme indulgence and
royal liberality. In proof of the latter statement, it may be
mentioned that in less than four years from the date of her first
becoming his mistress, he had wantonly lavished sixty thousand
pounds upon her, as Burnet affirms. Moreover, he had purchased
as a town mansion for her "the first good house on the left-hand
side of St.
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