按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
some measure answerable for the queen's resistance to his desires； and therefore decided on sending them back to their own country； knowing moreover； this was an act which would sorely grieve her majesty。 Therefore； without first deigning to inform； the Queen of Portugal； he named a day for them to embark。 This was a sad blow to the hopes of the Portuguese； who had entertained high expectations of being placed in advantageous circumstances about the court； nor did the king by any show of liberality help to lessen their disappointment。 The queen was indeed afflicted at the prospect of their loss； and her mortification was the greater because； having received no money since she came into the kingdom； it was out of her power to make them compensation for their services。
The thought of being deprived of her people in her present unhappy condition rendered her so miserable； that she besought the king to allow some of them to remain； and； likewise； she employed others to make the same petition on her behalf。 Therefore one of her ladies； the Countess of Penalva； who had been her attendant since childhood； and who now； because of weakness of sight and other infirmities； scarce ever left her apartments； was allowed to stay； as were likewise 〃those necessary to her religion；〃 and some servants employed in her kitchen。
But these were not the only means the king took to thwart her majesty and all connected with her。 He upbraided the Portuguese ambassador for not having instructed the queen 〃enough to make her unconcerned in what had been before her time； and in which she could not reasonably be concerned。〃 Moreover he reproached him with the fact of the queen regent having sent only half the marriage portion； and so harassed was the ambassador by royal wrath； that he took to his bed； 〃and sustained such a fever as brought him to the brink of the grave。〃 Regarding that part of the dowry which had arrived； Charles behaved in an equally ungracious and undignified manner。 He instructed the officers of the revenue to use all strictness in its valuation； and not make any allowances。 And because Diego de Silvawhom the queen had designed for her treasurer； and who on that account had undertaken to see the money paid in Londondid not make sufficient haste in the settlement of his accounts； he was by the king's command cast into prison。
These various affronts grievously afflicted her majesty； but the insults she had to endure before the whole court wounded her far more。 For meanwhile the king lodged his mistress in the royal household； and every day she was present in the drawing…room； when his majesty entered into pleasant conversation with her； while his wife sat patiently by； as wholly unheeded as if unseen。 When the queen occasionally rose and indignantly left the apartment to relieve her anguish by a storm of tears； it may be one or two of the courtiers followed her； but the vast number of the brilliant throng remained； and Lord Clarendon adds； 〃they； too； often said those things aloud which nobody ought to have whispered。〃
Charles no longer appeared with the grave and troubled expression his face had worn at the commencement of the quarrel； but seemed full of pleasantry and eager for enjoyment。 Those surrounding him took their tone from the monarch； and followed his example the more because he 〃did shew no countenance to any that belong to the queen。〃 Her majesty； on the contrary； took her misery to heart； and showed dejection by the sadness of her face and listlessness of her gait。 There was universal diversion in all company but hers； sounds of laughter rang all day and far into the night in every apartment of the palace but those appropriated to her use。 Charles steadily avoided her； and the attendants who replaced her countrywomen showed more deference to the king's mistress than to his queen。 The solitary condition to which the helpless foreigner and forsaken wife was reduced increased day by day； her gloom deepened hour by hour； until； worn out by the unequal conflict； her spirit broke。 〃At last；〃 says Lord Clarendon； 〃when it was least expected or suspected； the queen on a sudden let herself fall； first to conversation； and then to familiarity； and even； in the same instant； to a confidence with the lady； was merry with her in public； talked kindly of her； and in private used no lady more friendly。〃
From that hour her majesty never interfered with the king's amours； and never again did a quarrel rise between them even to the day of his death。
CHAPTER VII。
Their majesties arrive at Whitehall。My Lady Castlemaine a spectator。Young Mr。 Crofts。New arrivals at court。The Hamilton family。The Chevalier de Grammont。Mrs。 Middleton and Miss Kirke。At the queen's ballLa belle Hamilton。The queen mother at Somerset House。The Duke of Monmouth's marriage。Fair Frances Stuart。Those who court her favour。The king's passion。
On the 23rd of August； 1662； their majesties journeyed from Hampton Court to the palace of Whitehall by water。 The gay and goodly procession formed on that occasion has been described as 〃the most magnificent triumph that ever floated on； the Thames。〃 First came barges belonging to city companies； beginning with the mercers and grocers； most of them being attended with a pageant； and all of them richly adorned as became their affection and loyalty。 Then followed barges of statesmen； nobility； and courtiers； with their retinues； brave in numbers； gay in colours； and attended by bands of music。 And finally came the king and queen； seated side by side in a galley of antique shape； all draped with crimson damask； bearing a canopy of cloth of gold； supported by Corinthian pillars； wreathed with ribbons； and festooned with garlands of fragrant flowers。
The whole city was abroad； watchful of their approach； the Thames was covered with boats to the number of ten thousand； and the banks were crowded with spectators beyond reckoning。 On this fair August day the sky had not a single cloud to mar its universal blue； the sun shone gloriously bright； turning the river to sheets of gleaming gold： whilst the air was filled with roaring of cannon； strains of music； and hearty shouts of a loyal multitude。
Mr。 Samuel Pepys； though he offered as much as eight shillings for a boat to attend him that day； could not obtain one； and was therefore obliged to view this gallant procession from the roof of the royal banqueting hall； which commanded a glorious view of the Thames。 But what pleased his erratic fancy best on this occasion was； not the great spectacle he had taken such trouble to survey； but a sight of my Lady Castlemaine； who stood over against him 〃upon a piece of Whitehall。〃 The worthy clerk of the Admiralty 〃glutted〃 himself with looking on her； 〃but methought it was strange；〃 says he； 〃to see her lord and her upon the same place walking up and down without taking notice of one another； only at first entry he put off his hat； and she made him a very civil salute； but afterwards took no notice of one another； but both of them now and then would take their child； which the nurse held in her arms； and dandle it。 One thing more： there happened a scaffold below to fall； and we feared some hurt； but th