royalty restored-第26章
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〃I forgot when you were here last to desire you to give Broderich good council not to meddle any more with what concerns my Lady Castlemaine； and to let him have a care how he is the author of any scandalous reports； for if I find him guilty of any such thing； I will make him repent it to the last moment of his life。
〃And now I am entered on this matter； I think it very necessary to give you a little good council in it； lest you may think that by making a farther stir in the business you may divert me from my resolution； which all the world shall never do； and I wish I may be unhappy in this world and in the world to come； if I fail in the least degree of what I have resolved； which is of making my Lady Castlemaine of my wife's bedchamber。 And whosoever I find in any endeavours to hinder this resolution of mine （except it be only to myself）； I will be his enemy to the last moment of my life。 You know how true a friend I have been to you； if you will oblige me eternally； make this business as easy to me as you can； of what opinion soever you are of； for I am resolved to go through with this matter； let what will come on it； which again I solemnly swear before Almighty God。
〃Therefore； if you desire to have the continuance of my friendship； meddle no more with this business except it be to bear down all false and scandalous reports； and to facilitate what I am sure my honour is so much concerned in。 And whosoever I find is to be my Lady Castlemaine's enemy in this matter； I do promise； upon my word； to be his enemy as long as I live。 You may show this letter to my lord lieutenant； and if you have both a mind to oblige me； carry yourselves like friends to me in this matter。〃
The chancellor was； soon after the receipt of this letter； summoned to Hampton Court； when his majesty； with some passion； declared the quarrel was spoken of everywhere； and wholly to his disadvantage。 He was therefore anxious to end it at once； and commanded my lord to wait again upon the queen； and persuade her to his wishes。 The chancellor informed the king he 〃had much rather spend his pains in endeavouring to convert his majesty from pursuing his resolution； which he did in his conscience believe to be unjust； than in persuading her majesty to comply with it； which yet he would very heartily do。〃 Saying which； he departed on his errand； to which the queen answered； her conscience would not allow her to consent that the king's mistress should be one of her attendants。 Then the chancellor besought his royal master； saying he hoped he might be no more consulted with； nor employed concerning an affair； in which he had been so unsuccessful。
By reason of this opposition the king was now more resolved than ever to honour his mistress and humble his wife； and； with a cruelty unusual to his nature； determined to break her majesty's spirit； and force her into obedience。
On coming to England the young bride had brought in her train some Portuguese gentlewomen and nobles； whom she was anxious to employ in various offices about her person； that she might not feel quite in the midst of strangers。 These his majesty believed were in some measure answerable for the queen's resistance to his desires； and therefore decided on sending them back to their own country； knowing moreover； this was an act which would sorely grieve her majesty。 Therefore； without first deigning to inform； the Queen of Portugal； he named a day for them to embark。 This was a sad blow to the hopes of the Portuguese； who had entertained high expectations of being placed in advantageous circumstances about the court； nor did the king by any show of liberality help to lessen their disappointment。 The queen was indeed afflicted at the prospect of their loss； and her mortification was the greater because； having received no money since she came into the kingdom； it was out of her power to make them compensation for their services。
The thought of being deprived of her people in her present unhappy condition rendered her so miserable； that she besought the king to allow some of them to remain； and； likewise； she employed others to make the same petition on her behalf。 Therefore one of her ladies； the Countess of Penalva； who had been her attendant since childhood； and who now； because of weakness of sight and other infirmities； scarce ever left her apartments； was allowed to stay； as were likewise 〃those necessary to her religion；〃 and some servants employed in her kitchen。
But these were not the only means the king took to thwart her majesty and all connected with her。 He upbraided the Portuguese ambassador for not having instructed the queen 〃enough to make her unconcerned in what had been before her time； and in which she could not reasonably be concerned。〃 Moreover he reproached him with the fact of the queen regent having sent only half the marriage portion； and so harassed was the ambassador by royal wrath； that he took to his bed； 〃and sustained such a fever as brought him to the brink of the grave。〃 Regarding that part of the dowry which had arrived； Charles behaved in an equally ungracious and undignified manner。 He instructed the officers of the revenue to use all strictness in its valuation； and not make any allowances。 And because Diego de Silvawhom the queen had designed for her treasurer； and who on that account had undertaken to see the money paid in Londondid not make sufficient haste in the settlement of his accounts； he was by the king's command cast into prison。
These various affronts grievously afflicted her majesty； but the insults she had to endure before the whole court wounded her far more。 For meanwhile the king lodged his mistress in the royal household； and every day she was present in the drawing…room； when his majesty entered into pleasant conversation with her； while his wife sat patiently by； as wholly unheeded as if unseen。 When the queen occasionally rose and indignantly left the apartment to relieve her anguish by a storm of tears； it may be one or two of the courtiers followed her； but the vast number of the brilliant throng remained； and Lord Clarendon adds； 〃they； too； often said those things aloud which nobody ought to have whispered。〃
Charles no longer appeared with the grave and troubled expression his face had worn at the commencement of the quarrel； but seemed full of pleasantry and eager for enjoyment。 Those surrounding him took their tone from the monarch； and followed his example the more because he 〃did shew no countenance to any that belong to the queen。〃 Her majesty； on the contrary； took her misery to heart； and showed dejection by the sadness of her face and listlessness of her gait。 There was universal diversion in all company but hers； sounds of laughter rang all day and far into the night in every apartment of the palace but those appropriated to her use。 Charles steadily avoided her； and the attendants who replaced her countrywomen showed more deference to the king's mistress than to his queen。 The solitary condition to which the helpless foreigner and forsaken wife was reduced increased day by day； her gloom deepened hour by hour； until； worn out by the unequal conflict； her spirit broke。 〃At last；〃 says Lord Clarendon； 〃when it was least expected or suspected； the queen on a sudden let herself fall； first to conversation； and then to familiarity； and even； in the same instant； to a confidence with the lady； was merry with her in public； talked kindly of her； and in private used no lady more friendly。〃
From that hour her majesty never interfered with the king's amours； and never again did a quarrel rise between them even to the day of his death。
CHAPTER VII。
Their majesties arrive at Whitehall。My Lady Castlemaine a spectator。Young Mr。 Crofts。New arrivals at court。The Hamilton family。The Chevalier de Grammont。Mrs。 Middleton and Miss Kirke。At the queen's ballLa belle Hamilton。The queen mother at Somerset House。The Duke of Monmouth's marriage。Fair Frances Stuart。Those who court her favour。The king's passion。
On the 23rd of August； 1662； their majesties journeyed from Hampton Court to the palace of Whitehall by water。 The gay and goodly procession formed on that occasion has been described as 〃the
