The Cardinal fearing a sharper answer , was overjoy'd at this , which he interpreted to his advantage . And imagining that he had nothing more then her Incredulity to Combate ; Would to God , Madam , said he to her , that what you say were true ; But I know the Contrary . The Duke your Husband lov'd you before you were his Wife , and I am much afraid that in giving your self to him , you rather Consulted your Inclination than your Duty . Nor yet is this all I dread , those fervencies have had time to cool , that are no longer valu'd from the Moment that they no longer cost any trouble . I should much rather fear some happy Rival , and I am very much mistaken , if I know not one much more formidable than your Husband .

The Dutchess blusht at these words , and the Cardinal interpreting this Action to the Confusion she was under at her having been detected ; I have hit the Mark to a hair , he added , and is it not true , Madam , that you love your Husband far less then the Count de — He paus'd without thinking fit to name him , and the Dutchess , who had only blusht , for that she saw her self oblig'd to listen to another Conversation than that on whose account she came , being no longer able to endure he should thus wrong her Virtue ; Proceed , said she to him , and inform me of what I know not my self , tho' I ought to know it better than any body . You 'd be cautious how ye own'd it to me , the Cardinal immediately retorted , a Secr●t of that Consequence is not easily communicated , & especially to a Person so much concern'd in 't as I. But no matter , I shall know it , in spight of all the Precautions that either of ye may take , and if the World thinks me able to penetrate into the very Cabinets of the Princes of Europe , when the King my Master's Interest is only concern'd , what would I not do in an occasion that concerns my whole repose .

Now it was somewhat an extraordinary thing , that such a Declaration as this , should at the same time be accompany'd with threats . A Lover , commonly , vails his humour at the first ; and that Course might , principally , be expected from his Eminency , who so well knew how to Counterfeit in all sorts of occasions . But as it is the Property of Love to lay Reason aside , it is not to be wond'red if his Conduct was so surprizing . Madam d' Elboeuf knew not how to reconcile her self to this his Carriage , and though he stood upon such a Level as debarr'd Expostulation , she quickly chang'd the Resolution she had taken of Husbanding him . I stand in need of you , she said to him , but not any Consideration shall ever hinder me from causing those regards to be paid me that are my due , and it 's a very pleasant business to see a man of your Character become an Inamorato , nay and of a Person of my Quality . But what I find most extrrordinary is , that you dare to offend me upon so ridiculous a Prepossession , which only you can admit into ones Imagination .

The Cardinal was extremely surpriz'd to see the Disdain with which she utter'd these words . He us'd his utmost Endeavours to mollify what he had said to her , giving her to understand , that it was only thro' an excess of Love . But she prov'd to be as little tractable upon that word , as upon his Jelousy ; Insomuch that after having said several disobliging things to him , she went away without vouchsafing to hearken any longer to his Justifications . The way between his Eminency's Palace and Elboeuf-Hall gave her time to recover her self from the Disorder this bus'ness had put her in . She found the Count de Soissons with her Husband , and as the latter had told the former of her being gone to the Cardinal's Palace upon a matter of Moment to him , the first Question they both put to her , was whether she was satisfy'd with the Minister . Not over-well , Madam d' Elboeuf made 'em answer , and I am very much mistaken if our Concern does not miscarry . They ask'd her the Reason , and as she did not think convenient to boast of what was befall'n her , she study'd an Evasion , which she presently caus'd to pass currant with ' em . This is strange , the Count de Soissons said , he seems to make it his whole Delight to disoblige all People , and whereas he ought to Court the Amity of Persons of our Quality , he only contrives how to injure them . He thereupon told an occasion or two wherein himself had reason to complain of him , and the Duke d' Elboeuf was of his opinion . While they were upon this Topick , word was brought the Duke d' Elboeuf that a Person ask'd to speak with him , and being free with the Count de Soissons , he entreated him to stay with his Wife , 'till he had dispatch'd the Concern in hand .

The Duke being gone , the Count fell again to talk of the Cardinal , and while they were both saying several things that were not overmuch to his Advantage , a Message came to my Lady Dutchess d' Elboeuf that a Gentleman ask'd to speak with her from the Cardinal . She gave order for his being introduc'd , and going to meet him , that she might know what he had to say to her , he presented her a Paper , telling her , that by it she would find , that the Business was done she came upon to his Eminency . As she was not willing the Count should know the least of what had pass'd between 'em ; Be pleas'd to tell him , said she to this Gentleman , that I am v●ry much oblig'd to him , and that Mr. d'Elboeuf and I will come to make him our Acknowledgments . The Count de Soissons to make his Court to the Dutchess ; tell his Eminency also , said he to the Gentleman , that you found me here , and that I so far espouse the Concerns of Mr. and Madam d'Elboeuf , that if I had thought I could have been usefull to them in joyning my Entreaties to theirs , I would have gone with 'em to Sollicit the favour he has newly granted them .

The Gentleman withdrew , after having made his Leg , and the Count de Soissons who had no good opinion of the Cardinal , Let 's see Madam , said he to the Dutchess d' Elboeuf , if matters go according to your Desire ; but for my part I must own t' ye , that as he does not willingly oblige , I believe him no farther than I see him . At these words he took the Paper out of her hands that was seal'd , and having broke open the Seal , without her hindring him from so doing , not thinking it contain'd any thing but what he might see , he found two Papers in the Cover much of the same bigness He open'd the first at hand , and the first thing he read was his own Name ; Insomuch that thinking he was mistaken , he view'd it more fixedly ; but in short , after having read it over and over , he plainly perceiv'd that he was more concern'd in the matter than he expected . After that he had not the Curiosity to read the other , which , indeed , was not worth the trouble , since it was only the Expedition of the Affair before-mention'd : And contenting himself with this , Truly Madam , said he to this Princess , the Cardinal is much more my Friend than I imagin'd . You may here if you please see a thing which I should never have dared to have spoken to you of , so very Powerfull o'er my Soul was the Respect I shall ever have for you ; but since the occasion is so seasonably offer'd , give me leave to tell you that it is impossible but that you must have taken notice of the Love I have for you , since he that is not half so much concern'd in 't does positively declare to you that I love you . This is a piece of Service , he added , which I shall never forget , and tho' the Passion he expresses for you himself in the same Letter ought to Allarum me , I must own to you that he has freed me out of so perplexing a Bus'ness for me , that to take all I bear him more good than ill will .

In saying that , he presented the Letter to the Dutchess ; but beside , as what had pass'd between his Eminency & her , made her Conjecture what he had been capable of Writing to her , he had newly told her sufficient , as to render needless her shrifting any farther into it 's Contents ; I thought you , said she , so much my Friend as with me to have laught at the Cardinal's Passion , and in case of need to have offer'd me your assistance against him , supposing he should make use of his Power , so as to revenge himself for the Contempt , with which I pretend to reward him . But by what I perceive , you th●nk me so silly , as to give Credit to your Discourse , as if I knew not how to discern what departs from Truth and what from Raillery . I Railly you , Madam , the Count reply'd ; You whom I consider as the Person in the World , that in all kinds merits the most Distinction : My past Actions do they give you that Idea of me ? And if you would vouchsafe to recall 'em to mind , wou'd you not be the first to say , that you must have been very blind , if you have not been sensible that they had another source than the Amity I have for My Lord Duke your Husband ? I have Suck'd with my Milk that the greatest Enemies we had to our Family were the Princes of his . Nevertheless I have admitted him my Confident , and I may say that I have no Secret that is so to him , unless it be that I have conceal'd the Passion from him that I have ever been sensible of for you But what did I say ? Would to God I had ever Lov'd you , he should never have had you , or he should first have had my Life . But you know Love has not the start of Knowledge , and that having only seen you after your Marriage , my Affection could only bear date from that time . To what then do you attribute this Reunion that was impossible without you , but you occasion much more difficult things , and after having in spight of me , made me be silent , what is there that you are not capable of bringing about ?

He would have enlarg'd much in his Discourse , had not the Duke return'd . His Wife , who was mightily disorder'd , that she might not give him time to observe her , nor the Count , who was in the like condition , presented him one of the Papers she had receiv'd from the Cardinal , and suppress'd that which it was not convenient he should be inform'd of . He stood at gaze to see what it contain'd , after what his Wife had told him a moment before , and not being able to conceal his surprize . Did not you tell me , Madam , said he to her , that we had nothing to hope , and how can so sudden a change have come about in so short a time ? The Count de Soissons pretended to strike in with his Amazement , and after having reason'd thereupon , he told him , he needed not to care how the thing came about , since he had what he demanded .

In the mean while the Gentleman the Cardinal had sent to this Dutchess , being return'd to his Master , he inform'd him how he had found her with the Count de Soissons , and of the Complement made him by that Prince . This was no small matter of vexation to his Eminency , who had no mind he should Interest himself so far in the Dutchesses Concerns , whence he Prognosticated ill Consequences for himself . I knew very well , said he to himself , that he Lov'd her , but I knew not that she made him the like returns . This is but too true , otherwise he would have let her make her Complements by her self , without medling in the Matter . I have mighty Occasion , forsooth , for his acknowledgments , and why may not I resent the Obstacle he interposes to my desires .

Nevertheless as he was less proper to make Complaints , than to contrive his ease , his lasted not long , and his whole drift was to free himself of so dangerous a Rival . Two means he fancy'd he had to bring this about , One to dispatch him out of the way , under Colour of giving him an Employ , th' Other of marrying him so advantageously , and with a Person so accomplisht in Body and Mind , as might be capable of making him forget the Dutchess . However Policy thwarted both these ways . The Count , who had so great a heart , that never would buckle under him , as the rest of the Kingdom had done , made him presume that since his Conduct was such in his Present Circumstances , he would be much more haughty , when he had attain'd to a greater degree of Power . On another side he was not willing to give matter of jelousy to the Prince of Conde , who would not have fail'd to have fomented the discontent of several who boar envy to his Fortune , If be had seen him advance a Prince , who properly speaking was the greatest enemy he had . And indeed he expostulated him the Quality of Prince of the Blood , for reasons that are sufficiently known in History , and which it would be superfluous to insert in this Place .

Thus not knowing on what to determine , he let some time slip , during which the Count de Soissons us'd his utmost Endeavours to see the Dutchess again . But she shun'd him with that Care , that few People but took notice on 't . Only her Husband relying , calmly , upon her Conduct , made not any Reflexion upon this her Carriage ; On the Contrary he often brought the Count to Eat at his House , but as often as he did so , she pretended indisposition ; Insomuch that the hopes vanish'd he had of seeing her . The Cardinal , who in matter of Love , as well as of Policy , thought there was nothing like having good spies , being inform'd by one he had about the Dutchess , that far from making returns to the Count's Passion , she avoided him with a most inconceivable Care , was in some manner solac'd for the anxious hours she made him pass himself . However experience having taught him that there is nothing impossible to a Lover that does not desist , he resolv'd to deliver himself out of fear , by a Proposition that seem'd very advantageous for the Count , but which in the bottom , instead of advancing him , would have cover'd him with infamy . He had a Niece , Madam de Comballet , by Name , and who since has worn the Title of Dutchess d' Aiguillon . She was a Person of a singular Beauty , and if we may believe Detraction , he himself had not been able to resist her Charms , tho' nearness of Blood did forbid him to look otherwise on her than as a Relation . The Scandalizing Chronicle adds further , that on this account he had unwedded her from her Husband , under Colour of Impotency , and that the desire of enjoying her himself alone , had made him employ his Credit to break off that marriage . But whether all this was Detraction , or else that Enjoyment had pawl'd his Appetite , as is usual , it was upon her he cast his Eyes , to put the Change upon the Count . For this purpose he resolv'd to annex such great advantages to her Person , as might dazzle him , notwithstanding the vast Difference of their Births , nay & the dis-advantageous rumours that ran about to the Prejudice of her Reputation . The greatest he could annex was to make him gain the Process he had depending against the Prince of Conde , whom he pretended to have declared a Bastard , and in Consequence cause himself to be declar'd the First Prince of the Blood , that is to say for Presumtive Heir of the Crown , since neither the King nor the Duke of Orleans had then any Children capacitated to supply that Place .

Such a Proposition as this was something so engaging as that he did not doubt but that it would be an Infallible Bait . Yet as the best concerns become ill in the hands of certain Persons , that know not how to manage 'em , The Cardinal gain'd Seneterre , the Intendant of this Princes Houshold , a man , naturally able , and who , besides , after having acquired some Credit with his Master by several years services , let him understand , that what he could not speed in , it was not for Others to meddle withall . And indeed expecting to be receiv'd with open arms : Good News , Cry'd he , as soon as he saw the Count , and this Prince asking him what he meant ; Why , answer'd he , your Process , if you please your self is Won , and what is more , I bring you tydings of a Beautyfull Wife , and of a support that cannot fail you upon Occasion . The Count hearing him talk at this rate , imagin'd he had Letters to deliver him from some forreign Prince that desired his Allyance , & full of Impatience to know from whom it might be , he nam'd certain Princes to him , that were ' of the Number of his friends . We have no need of going so far , then Seneterre said to him , and when you find all this in Cardinal Richelieus Allyance , why should you think of People that at most can only give you fine Promises , and when it shall come to Execution , cannot be in a Condition to perform them . But for his part , added he , can he promise you any thing , but what he can do a thousand fold more ? He need only speak to the Parliament , to make it pass an Arrest in your favour : Besides he holds all the Forces of the Kingdom in his Power , Insomuch that when you shall have occasion for them , nothing will fail you . In fine , what shall I say to you ? the Crown , if you please , is at your Disposal , and all that he requires , is , that you would Marry Madam de Comballet , that he may be , henceforward , assured of your being his Friend . I Marry Madam de Comballet , the Count answer'd all in amaze , and all in a rage at the same time ! What the Mistress of her own Uncle , the Mistress of a Priest , a Sacrilegious , an Incestuous Wretch , and in a word , the shame of the whole Realm , and of all humane kind ! I say nothing of her Birth , the one makes me omit the other , but my greatest subject of amazement is , that Seneterre , whom I thought mine , should be such a Traytor as to make me such a Proposal . Seneterre would have reply'd , nay and make him apprehend that he would find his Advantage in the Overture he made him ; but the Count losing Patience , commanded him to hold his peace . And for that he would , nevertheless , continue speaking , he gave him some blows with his Cane , and then turn'd him out of his Family .

This business made a great noise in the World , those that knew the Count's great heart , imputed it to his high Spirit , and to tell the truth it was in some manner , the occasion . But for all that , the Love he had for the Dutchess contributed more thereunto than all other things . It 's needless to say how angry the Cardinal was at him , it is easy to apprehend , that he that saw all the Grandees buckle under his Will , did , impatiently , bear such Instances of Contempt . Yet tho' he had such a mighty flock of Vanity , and must for that reason have been terribly mortify'd , we may , however , assert , that Jelousy was the thing that created him the most trouble . He imagin'd , and not without ground , that the Dutchess shar'd deep in this refusal , and tho' he could not reconcile this thought , with the account continually given him by his Spies , that he stood not in overgood terms with her , it , nevertheless , made deep impressions in his mind .

For surplusage of Misfortune he intercepted a Letter the Count writ her , wherein he gave her an exact account of the Conversation he had had with Seneterre , and wherein he did not omit to repre-present the offers that had been made him , of causing him to be declared not only First Prince of the Bloud , but , likewise , to give him what share he pleased in the Administration of the Kingdom , of which the Minister oblig'd himself to cause him to be own'd as Presumptive Heir by all the Grandees , nay and by all the Parliaments . Yet for the Love of her , would he not in any wise close hands with such alluring Offers . That , true indeed , he had us'd as a pretext , Madam de Comballets ill reputation , of whom , perhaps , all the Stories that had gone about were only Calumny , but which he was willing , nevertheless , to make pass for as many Truths , that so he might have his Ears no longer dinn'd with an Affa●r to which he could not hearken , as he had hinted , for her sake . Furthermore that he thought her too shrewd a Person to believe that tho' he were persuaded of the Ladies Debauchery , it would have been capable of making him refuse her . That a thousand Princes before him had shew'd him the way , and among those Crowned Heads ; So true it is that Ambition serves for an excuse to the greatest Defects . That nothing but Love could have done this Miracle , a Miracle so much the greater , as that the matter in agitation was not a meer Establishment , but the greatest Crown in the Universe .

Such were the Contents of this Letter , upon which it is easy to guess the excess of the Personages Jelousy . He sent for the Spy he had about the Dutchess , and making him read it : You see now , said he to him immediately . if I ought not to have thee hang'd for the false accounts thou giv'st me . Thou hast hitherto assured me that he got no ground with her , and yet he makes her a Sacrifice of his Refusals . What greater token can there be of their Refusals ? and must not I be the most Unfortunate of all men ? The Spy did what he could to excuse himself , and wanted not good Reasons . He said that by this Letter , it was plain that the Count endeavoured to insinuate into the Dutchess , that it was for her sake he had refus'd so fair a Fortune ; but that this did not imply that the Sacrifice was gratefull to her : That the worst us'd Lovers were those that were to study the best reasons to gain the Confidence of their Mistresses ; but that once obtain'd , it was not seen that their Letters entertain'd 'em with such riff-raff stuff : That if the Count stood as well with the Dutchess as his Eminency pretended ; his Letter would have been quite in another Stile : That it would have been made up of Raillery , in lieu of those Amorous terms , and if any such had been let fall , they would have been only by the by .

These Reasons would have been good to any man that had had his mind at liberty enough as to apprehend them ; But the Cardinal walking hastily as if he had receiv'd some Currier that had brought him the News of the loss of some great Battel : Ah! if he had not been afraid of furnishing matter of talk to his Enemies , he would have done much more . But in short , the care of ones repute is a thing more perplexing than many do imagine . How many People are there that are thereby kept within bounds , and who in the bottom of their Soul do not think the less ? It is upon this bottom , that Moliere rais'd his Tartuff , and if he had been upon the Scene at the time I speak of , perhaps he would not have waited so long .

In the mean while the Spy was dismiss'd , and far from causing him to be hang'd , as he had at first threatned to do , he made him a large Present that he might continue him his Service . Then went he directly to the King , whither he was call'd by an Affair of Moment : and as he was full of his Passion ; Yes , Sir , he said to him , you must make him lose his Process , and if your Majesty should proceed to Declare in his favour , he would afterwards drive you from off your Throne . The King understood well enough that he meant the Count de Soissons ; but as far from having said any thing that had relation to his Person , they had quite another matter in hand , he was mightily surpriz'd at this sally . The Cardinal plainly perceiv'd by the Kings Countenance that some Novelty was depending , and the Words I have repeated , having started from him , without his making the least reflexion , he ask'd him what he revolv'd in his mind . It 's for me to ask you , the King made him answer , what you revolve in yours , whence it comes that you interrupt our Discourse to speak of the Count de Soissons . I , I thought not of him , the Cardinal answer'd , and your Majesty must needs be mistaken . I am not mistaken , the King retorted , and if you have receiv'd any Advertisement of Consequence , why d' ye any longer deferr imparting it to me ? The Cardinal still retrencht himself upon the Negative , and as he was tax'd with having little Vertigo's ever and anon , during which he was wont not to appear in Publick , the King imputed all this to their coming upon him , and dismiss'd him sooner than he would otherwise have done .

In the mean time Mr. d'Elboeuf had all he desired of him , and those that were not inform'd of the end of things , could not apprehend whence he acquired so much favour . The Cardinal did several times invite him to come and see his fine House of Ruel , and bid him bring his Wife along , and his Children too that it seem'd as if he would take his whole Family into his Protection . If Madam d'Elboeuf had dared , she would have desired her Husband to have dispens'd her from going ; but that not being to be done , without letting him know , what it 's fit a Husband should ever be a Sranger to , she suffer'd her self to be led along to that Stately House , where they met with the best Entertainment imaginable from the Cardinal . His Eminency had also invited thither the Sieur Desnoiers Secretary of State , the Person that after him had the greatest share in the Affairs of the Kingdom . Not that he meant to regule him , or had any thing of Moment to impart to him ; But you must know that the Duke of Elboeuf had a Concern in the Council , of which it was convenient that Mr. Desnoiers should be throughly inform'd , and as he was commonly overwhelm'd with Affairs , the Duke had not yet been able to find the means of discoursing him particularly upon that matter . Now as the Cardinal had his Designs , he started the bus'ness , and as it was a matter of long Discussion , he bid Mr. Desnoiers go into a Closet where he would find a Pen and Ink , to make an Extract of all Mr. d' Elboeuf had to say to him . This Prince took as a mark of goodness , what was nevertheless only the effect of a self-Interested Lover . Madam d' Elboeuf plainly perceiv'd the meaning of this , and would , perhaps , have contriv'd to parry the blow , by following her Husband : but he prevented her Design , by telling Mr. d'Elboeuf , that while he was Closetted up with Mr. Desnoiers he would play a Game at Chess with his Lady . Mr. d'Elboeuf , who made a scruple of leaving him all alone , was overjoy'd that he himself propos'd him the means of not being uncivil , and having shut himself up with Mr. Desnoiers , he left him all the freedom he desired .

Madam d'Elboeuf seeing her self all alone with him ( for he had nodded to his People to go out after having set the Chess-men upon the Table ) became as red as fire , which the Cardinal perceiving , Certainly , Madam , he said to her , you must needs hate me , as much as I love you , since you are as much in pain in being with me , as I have pleasure in being with you . Nevertheless I had ever heard say , that Hatred was not the fruit of Amity , and that on the contrary the means to render one's self agreeable , was to have for a Person the Sentiments I have for you . But , by what I perceive , my Unhappyness is such , that what is the Lot of others , is not mine ; and that Nature must first run Counter before that I can be happy . If you make your Happyness consist , Madam d Elboeuf answer'd him faintly , in being belov'd by me , I franckly own that you never will be happy . Nay and it is strange you dare to offend me in this Case , you who know my Duty , and by Consequence cannot invite me to fail in it , at least without shewing the little Consideration you have for me . What , Madam , you n●●●●proch me withal , is no Crime , he answer'd , or at least , if it be one , it is so on the account of its being annex'd to my Person . If it were the Count of Soissons that held you the like discourses , the thing would change its Nature . We know very well that you are not alltogether so Cruel to him ; Yet , if I durst say it , it is an effect of your little Judgment : I can do as much as he , tho' I am no Prince , and in Case you were in any wise wedded to Ambition , I should much more than he turn to your account . But what do I say , I am not so happy as to have any Consideration enter into the Love you bear him . If you love him , it is only because he seems lovely to you , whereas it is my ill luck to have you hate me , because you think me the Most Odious of all Men .

Madam d'Elboeuf who had only hitherto look'd with indifference upon the Count de Soissons was terribly Scandaliz'd that he dar'd to tell her to her Face that she lov'd any other then her Husband . She put on her serious looks , but he to whom jelousy represented as so many Truths all that whirl'd his Phancy . Be angry , Madam , or not angry , he said to her , that shall not make me believe the more or less . I have good Proofs in my Pocket of what I now say , and when matters stand so , would you have me belye such certain . Testimonies as those , for Words that you think your self Oblig'd to say for your Reputation . A discourse of this Nature was still aggravating his Offence ; and indeed it having scandaliz'd Madam d' Elboeuf still more then before ; This is too much , said she to him all in anger , and pray'e , tell me what you mean by those Proofs you have in your Pocket . A Letter Madam , the Cardinal replyed , since you will needs know it , but a Letter that speaks and against which you have nothing to alledge . She presently imagin'd he meant to accuse her of having written it , and as she well knew the Contrary , If you shew me that , she said to him , I 'le allow of all you please , but that as I know that cannot be , I think it very strange , you should make use of this Imposture , in all probabillity to force my secret from me , supposing I had one . This is no Imposture , Madam , the Cardinal replyed , 't is matter of Fact , and of which you your self are going to be a Witness . I have the Letter as I told you in my Pocket , and there needs no more then my taking it out . The Dutchess without affording her self the time to see it , thinking that he meant that it was she that had writ it , It must be forg'd then , she retorted , and as I know you capable of such a forgery , you must not take it ill if I tell you that my Suspicions only center in your Person .