port on the manners and appearance of the princesses of
the courts of Neuburg and of Modena. Not being impressed by the merits
of those belonging to the former, he betook himself to the latter,
where, seeing the young Princess d'Este, then in her fifteenth year, he
came to the conclusion no better choice could be made on behalf of the
duke than this fair lady. On communicating this opinion to his royal
highness and to his majesty, the king commissioned him to demand the
hand of the princess in marriage for his brother.

Difficulties regarding this desired union now arose. The young lady,
having been bred in great simplicity and ignorance, had never heard of
such a country as England, or such a person as the Duke of York; and
therefore had no mind to adventure herself in a distant land, or wed a
man of whom she knew nought. Moreover, she had betrayed an inclination
to spend her days in the seclusion of a convent, and had no thought of
marriage. Her mother, the Duchess of Modena, then regent, by reason
of her husband's death and her son's minority, was anxious for so
advantageous an alliance. And being unable to gain her daughter's
consent, she sought the interference of the pope, who wrote to the young
princess, that compliance with her mother's request would "most conduce
to the service of God and the public good." On this, Mary Beatrice
Eleonora, Princess d'Este, daughter of the fourth Duke of Modena,
consented to become Duchess of York. Whereon the Earl of Peterborough
made a public entry into Modena, as ambassador extraordinary of Charles
II.; and having agreed to all the articles of marriage, wedded her by
proxy for the royal duke.

Meanwhile, news that the heir to the crown was about to wed a papist
spread with rapidity throughout the kingdom, carrying alarm in its
course. If sons were born of the union, they would, it was believed,
undoubtedly be reared in the religion of their parents, and England in
time became subject to a catholic king. The possibility of such a fate
was to the public mind fraught with horror; and the House of Commons,
after some angry debates on the subject, presented an address to the
king, requesting he would abandon this proposed marriage. To this he
was not inclined to listen, his honour being so far involved in the
business; but notwithstanding his unwillingness, his councillors urged
him to this step, and prayed he would stop the princess, then journeying
through France on her way to E