I saw every day
vast sums go away: moveables of inestimable prices, offices, and
all the rich remains of my uncle's fortune, the fruits of his
labours, and the rewards of his services. I saw as much sold as
came to three millions, before I took any public notice of it;
and I had hardly anything left me of value but my jewels, when
Monsieur Mazarine took occasion to seize upon them."
She therefore sought the king's interference, but as the duke had
interest at court, she received but little satisfaction. Then
commenced disputes, which, after months of wrangling, ended by
the duchess escaping in male attire out of France, in company
with a gay young cavalier, Monsieur de Rohan. After various
wanderings through Italy and many adventures in Savoy, she
determined on journeying to England. That her visit was not
without a political motive, we gather from St. Evremond; who,
referring to the ascendancy which the Duchess of Portsmouth had
gained over his majesty, and the uses she made of her power for
the interests of France, tells us, "The advocates for liberty,
being excluded from posts and the management of affairs,
contrived several ways to free their country from that infamous
commerce; but finding them ineffectual, they at last concluded
that there was no other course to take than to work the Duchess
of Portsmouth out of the king's favour, by setting up against her
a rival who should be in their interest. The Duchess of Mazarine
was thought very fit for their purpose, for she outshined the
other, both in wit and beauty.
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