re to the restoring his former state of health, than the
gentle air of Montpelier, during the winter season: at the same time,
the king assured him, that as soon as he was able to undertake that
journey, he would order five-hundred pounds to be paid him, to defray
the expences of it.

Mr. Wycherley accordingly went to France, and returned to England the
latter end of the spring following, with his health entirely restored.
The king received him with the utmost marks of esteem, and shortly after
told him, he had a son, whom he resolved should be educated like the son
of a king, and that he could make choice of no man so proper to be his
governor as Mr. Wycherley; and, that for this service, he should have
fifteen-hundred pounds a year allotted him; the King also added, that
when the time came, that his office should cease, he would take care to
make such a provision for him, as should set him above the malice of the
world and fortune. These were golden prospects for Mr. Wycherley, but
they were soon by a cross accident dashed to pieces.

Soon after this promise of his majesty's, Mr. Dennis tells us, that Mr.
Wycherley went down to Tunbridge, to take either the benefit of the
waters, or the diversions of the place; when walking one day upon the
wells-walk, with his friend Mr. Fairbeard of Grey's-Inn, just as he came
up to the bookseller's, the countess of Drogheda, a young widow, rich,
noble and beautiful, came to the bookseller, and enquired for the Plain
Dealer. 'Madam, says Mr. Fairbeard, since you are for the Plain Dealer,
there he is for you,' pushing Mr. Wycherley towards her. 'Yes, says Mr.
Wycherley, this lady can bear plain dealing, for she appears to be so
accomplished, that what would be a compliment to others, when said to
her, would be plain dealing.--No truly Sir, said the lady, I am not
without my faults more than the rest of my sex; and yet, notwithstanding
all my faults, I love plain dealing, and never am more fond of it, then
when it tells me of a fault:' Then madam, says Mr. Fairbeard, you and
the plain dealer seem designed by heaven for each other. In short, Mr.
Wycherley accompanied her upon the walks, waited upon her home, visited
her daily at her lodgings whilst she stayed at Tunbridge; and after she
went to London, at her lodgings in Hatton-Garden: where in a little
time he obtained her consent to marry her. This he did by his father's
command, without acquainting the king; for it was reasonably su