r had had the assurance to open his sentiments to her; that
he either felt in himself too much weakness, or too much pride, to be
satisfied with obtaining her solely by the persuasion of her relations;
and that, though the first refusals of the fair on such occasions are
not much minded, he knew with what an air she had received the addresses
of those whose persons she did not like. After this, Monsieur le
Chevalier, consider what method you intend to pursue: for, if you are in
love, the passion will still increase, and the greater the attachment,
the less capable will you be of making those serious reflections that
are now in your power."

"My poor philosopher," answered the Chevalier de Grammont, "you
understand Latin very well, you can make good verses, you understand
the course, and are acquainted with the nature of the stars in the
firmament; but, as for the luminaries of the terrestrial globe, you
are utterly unacquainted with them: you have told me nothing about Miss
Hamilton, but what the king told me three days ago. That she has refused
the savages you have mentioned is all in her favour if she had admitted
their addresses, I would have had nothing to say to her, though I love
her to distraction. Attend now to what I am going to say: I am resolved
to marry her, and I will have my tutor Saint Evremond himself to be the
first man to commend me for it. As for an establishment, I shall make my
peace with the king, and will solicit him to make her one of the ladies
of the bed-chamber to the queen: this he will grant me. Toulongeon will
die, without my assistance.

[Count de Toulongeon was elder brother to Count Grammont, who, by
his death, in 1679, became, according to St. Evremond, on that
event, one of the richest noblemen at court.--See St. Evremond's
Works. vol. ii., p. 327.]

"Notwithstanding all his care; Miss Hamilton will have Semeat,--[A
country seat belonging to the family of the Grammonts.]--with the
Chevalier de Grammont, as an indemnification for the Norfolks and
Richmonds. Now, have you any thing to advance against this project? For
I will bet you an hundred louis, that everything will happen as I have
foretold it."

At this time the king's attachment to Miss Stewart was so public, that
every person perceived, that if she was but possessed of art, she might
become as absolute a mistress over his conduct as she was over his
heart. This was a fine opportunity for those who had experience