royalty restored-第24章
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ried life was due to the novelty he found in her society； together with the absence of temptation in the shape of his mistress。 Constancy to the marriage vow was scarcely to be expected from a man whose morals had never been shackled by restraint； yet faithlessness to a bride was scarcely to be anticipated ere the honeymoon had waned。 This was； however； the unhappy fate which awaited Catherine of Braganza。
It happened early in the month of June； whilst the court was at Hampton； my Lady Castlemaine； who had remained in town through illness； gave birth to a second child。 The infant was baptized Charles Palmer； adopted by the king as his own； and as such subsequently created Duke of Southampton。 This event seemed to renew all his majesty's tenderness towards her。 Wearied by the charm of innocence in the person of his wife； his weak nature yielded to the attraction of vice in that of his mistress。 He； therefore； frequently left Hampton Court that he might ride to London； visit the countess； and fritter away some hours in her presence； being heedless alike of the insult he dealt the queen； and the scandal he gave the nation。
The while my Lord Castlemaine lived with the lady who shared his title； and whom he called his wife； but their continuance to abide in harmony and goodwill was； soon after the birth of this child； interrupted for ever。 My lord was certainly a loyal subject； but he was likewise a religious man； as may be judged； not by that which has been recorded； but from the narration which follows。 Having been bred a Catholic； he was anxious his wife's son should be enrolled a member of the same community。 To this end he had him baptized by a priest； a proceeding of which the king wholly disapproved； not because his majesty was attached to any religion in particular； but rather that he resented interference with the infant whom he rested satisfied was his own child。 Accordingly； by the king's command； Lady Castlemaine's son was rebaptized by the rector of St。 Margaret's； Westminster； in the presence of his majesty； the Earl of Oxford； and the Countess of Suffolk； first lady of the bedchamber to the queen and aunt to the king's mistress。
This exasperated my Lord Castlemaine to such a degree that high words passed between him and his lady： on which he resolved to part from her for ever。 However； she was more prompt to act in the matter than he； for； taking advantage of his absence one day； she packed up her jewels； plate； and household treasures； and departed to the residence of her uncle； Colonel Edward Villiers； at Richmond。 This step was probably taken； if not by his majesty's suggestion； at least with his full approval； for the house she selected brought her within an easy distance of Hampton Court； into which the king designed promptly to introduce her。
Now rumour of the king's liason had spread beyond the English nation； and had been whispered even at the secluded court of Portugal； into the ears of the bride elect。 And the queen regent； dreading the trouble this might draw upon her daughter； had counselled her never to admit his majesty's mistress into her presence。 This advice the young queen determined to act upon； and accordingly when Charles； a couple of days after their marriage； presented her with a list of those appointed to her householdamongst whom was my Lady Castlemaineher majesty drew a pen across the name of the dreaded favourite。 The king； if surprised or indignant； made no remark at the time； but none the less held to the resolution he had taken of appointing the countess a lady of the bedchamber。 No further attempt of intruding his mistress's presence upon his wife was made until Lady Castlemaine came to Richmond。
It happened on the afternoon of the day on which the favourite arrived her majesty sat in the great drawing…room； surrounded by a brilliant throng of noble and beautiful women and gay and gallant men。 The windows of the apartment stood open； outside fountains splashed in the sun； music played in a distant glade： and all the world seemed glad。 And as the queen listened to pleasant sounds of wit and gossip； murmuring around her； the courtiers； at sound of a well…known footstep； suddenly ceasing their discourse； fell back on either side adown the room。 At that moment the king entered； leading a lady apparelled in magnificent attire； the contour of whose face and outline of whose figure distinguished her as a woman of supreme and sensuous loveliness。
His majesty； suceedingly rich in waving feathers； glittering satins； and fluttering ribbons； returned the gracious bows of his courtiers to right and left； and； unconscious of the curious and perplexed looks they interchanged； advanced to where his wife sat； and introduced my Lady Castlemaine。 Her majesty bowed and extended her hand； which the countess； having first courtesyed profoundly； raised to her lips。 The queen either had not caught the name； or had disassociated it from that of her husband's mistress； but in an instant the character of the woman presented； and the insult the king had inflicted； flashed upon her mind。 Coming so suddenly； it was more than she could bear； all colour fled from her face； tears rushed to her eyes； blood gushed from her nostrils； and she fell senseless to the floor。
Such strong evidence of the degree in which his young wife felt the indignity forced upon her； by no means softened his majesty's heart towards her； but rather roused his indignation at what he considered public defiance of his authority。 But as his nature was remote from roughness； and his disposition inclined to ease； he at first tried to gain his desire by persuasion； and therefore besought the queen she would suffer his mistress to become a lady of the bedchamber。 But whenever the subject was mentioned to her majesty； she burst into tears； and would not give heed to his words。 Charles therefore； incensed on his side； deserted her company； and sought the society of those ever ready to entertain him。 And as the greater number of his courtiers were fully as licentious as himself； they had no desire he should become subject to his wife； or alter the evil tenor of his ways。
Therefore in their conversation they cited to him the example of his grandfather； King James I。； of glorious memory； who had not dissembled his passions； nor suffered the same to become a reproach to those who returned his love； but had obliged his queen to bear with their company； and treat them with grace and favour； and had； moreover； raised his natural children to the degree of princes of the blood。 They told Charles he had inherited the disposition of his grandsire； and they were sure he would treat the objects of his affection in like manner as that king had done。 Lady Castlemaine； her friends moreover argued； had； by reason of her love for his majesty； parted from her husband； and now that she had been so publicly made an object of the queen's indignation； she would； if abandoned by him； meet with rude contempt from the world。 To such discourses as these the king lent a willing ear； the more as they encouraged him to act according to his desires。 He was therefore fully determined to support his mistress； and firmly resolved to subdue his wife。
Meanwhile； all joyousness vanished from the court； the queen seemed thoroughly dejected； the king bitterly disappointed； and the courtiers grievously disturbed。 Moreover； rumours of the trouble which had risen between their majesties became noised abroad； and gave the people occasion of speaking indifferently of their lord the king。 Now Charles in his unhappiness betook himself to the chancellor； who was not only his sage adviser and trusted friend； but who had already gained the esteem and confidence of the queen。 My lord； by reason of his services to the late king； and his friendship towards his present majesty； took to himself the privilege of speaking with freedom and boldness whenever his advice was asked by the monarch。 As Burnet tells us； the worthy chancellor would never make any application to the king's mistress； nor allow anything to pass the seal in which she was named； nor would he ever consent to visit her； which the bishop considered 〃was maintaining the decencies of virtue
