ing him rashly persist in it, she complained
of him: and then it was that he perceived that if love renders all
conditions equal, it is not so between rivals. He was banished the
court, and not finding any place in France which could console him for
what he most regretted--the presence and sight of his prince--after
having made some slight reflections upon his disgrace, and bestowed a
few imprecations against her who was the cause of it, he at last formed
the resolution of visiting England.

CHAPTER SIXTH. HIS ARRIVAL AT THE ENGLISH COURT--THE VARIOUS PERSONAGES
OF THIS COURT

Curiosity to see a man equally famous for his crimes and his elevation,
had once before induced the Chevalier de Grammont to visit England.
Reasons of state assume great privileges. Whatever appears advantageous
is lawful, and every thing that is necessary is honourable in politics.
While the King of England sought the protection of Spain in the Low
Countries, and that of the States-General in Holland, other powers sent
splendid embassies to Cromwell.

This man, whose ambition had opened him a way to sovereign power by
the greatest crimes, maintained himself in it by accomplishments which
seemed to render him worthy of it by their lustre. The nation, of all
Europe the least submissive, patiently bore a yoke which did not even
leave her the shadow of that liberty of which she is so jealous; and
Cromwell, master of the Commonwealth, under the title of Protector,
feared at home, but yet more dreaded abroad, was at his highest pitch of
glory when he was seen by the Chevalier de Grammont; but the Chevalier
did not see any appearance of a court. One part of the nobility
proscribed, the other removed from employments; an affectation of purity
of manners, instead of the luxury which the pomp of courts displays all
taken together, presented nothing but sad and serious objects in the
finest city in the world; and therefore the Chevalier acquired nothing
by this voyage but the idea of some merit in a profligate man, and the
admiration of some concealed beauties he had found means to discover.

Affairs wore quite a different appearance at his second voyage. The joy
for the restoration of the royal family still appeared in all parts.
The nation, fond of change and novelty, tasted the pleasure of a natural
government, and seemed to breathe again after a long oppression. In
short, the same people who, by a solemn abjuration, had excluded
even the pos