at that
time, that nothing could be more advantageous to her, than to see her
title acknowledged by the King. The Count found she had a thorough
knowledge of the interests of the French Court, and of the characters
of those who composed it; but in particular, she had a great idea of
the Duke of Nemours: she spoke to him so often, and with so much
ernestness concerning him, that the Ambassador upon his return declared
to the King, that there was nothing which the Duke of Nemours might not
expect from that Princess, and that he made no question she might even
be brought to marry him. The King communicated it to the Duke the same
evening, and caused the Count de Randan to relate to him all the
conversations he had had with Queen Elizabeth, and in conclusion
advised him to push his fortune: the Duke of Nemours imagined at first
that the King was not in earnest, but when he found to the contrary,
"If, by your advice, Sir," said he, "I engage in this chimerical
undertaking for your Majesty's service, I must entreat your Majesty to
keep the affair secret, till the success of it shall justify me to the
public; I would not be thought guilty of the intolerable vanity, to
think that a Queen, who has never seen me, would marry me for love."
The King promised to let nobody into the design but the Constable,
secrecy being necessary, he knew, to the success of it. The Count de
Randan advised the Duke to go to England under pretence of travelling;
but the Duke disapproving this proposal, sent Mr. Lignerol, a sprightly
young gentleman, his favourite, to sound the Queen's inclinations, and
to endeavour to make some steps towards advancing that affair: in the
meantime, he paid a visit to the Duke of Savoy, who was then at
Brussels with the King of Spain. The death of Queen Mary brought great
obstructions to the Treaty; the Congress broke up at the end of
November, and the King returned to Paris.

There appeared at this time a lady at Court, who drew the eyes of the
whole world; and one may imagine she was a perfect beauty, to gain
admiration in a place where there were so many fine women; she was of
the same family with the Viscount of Chartres, and one of the greatest
heiresses of France, her father died young, and left her to the
guardianship of Madam de Chartres his wife, whose wealth, virtue, and
merit were uncommon. After the loss of her husband she retired from
Court, and lived many years in the country; during this retreat, he