It happened a few months after her arrival in
London, the Prince of Monaco visited the capital. Young in
years, handsome in person, and extravagant in expenditure, he
dazzled the fairest women at court; none of whom had so much
power to please him in all as the Duchess of Mazarine.
Notwithstanding the king's generosity, she accepted the prince's
admiration; and resolved to risk the influence she had gained,
that she might freely love where she pleased. Her entertainment
of a passion, as sudden in development as fervid in intensity,
enraged the king; but his fury served only to increase her
infatuation, seeing which, his majesty suspended payment of her
pension.
The gay Prince of Monaco in due time ending his visit to London,
and leaving the Duchess of Mazarine behind him, she, through the
interposition of her friends, obtained his majesty's pardon, was
received into favour, and again allowed her pension.
She now ruled, not only mistress of the king's heart, but queen
of a brilliant circle of wits and men of parts, whose delight it
became to heed the epigrams and eccentricities which fell from
her lips. Her rooms at St. James's, and her house in Chelsea,
became the rendezvous of the most polite and brilliant society in
England. In the afternoons, seated amongst her monkeys, dogs,
parrots, and pets, she discoursed on philosophy, love, religion,
politics, and plays; whilst at night her saloons were thrown open
to such as delighted in gambling.
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