f her by St. Evremond, in his
works, vol. i., p. 17. The same writer, mentioning the concern of
some ladies for the death of the Duke of Candale, says, "But his
true mistress (the Countess d'Olonne) made herself famous by the
excess of her affliction, and had, in my opinion, been happy, if she
had kept it on to the last. One amour is creditable to a lady; and
I know not whether it be not more advantageous to their reputation
than never to have been in love."--St. Evremond's works, vol. ii.,
p. 24.]

"How many tricks, frauds, and persecutions, did you not practise for the
Countess de Fiesque, who perhaps might have been constant to you, if you
had not yourself forced her to be otherwise? But, to conclude, for the
enumeration of your iniquities would be endless, give me leave to ask
you, how you came here? Are not we obliged to that same evil genius of
yours, which rashly inspired you to intermeddle even in the gallantries
of your prince? Show some discretion then on this point here, I beseech
you; all the beauties of the court are already engaged; and however
docile the English may be with respect to their wives, they can by no
means bear the inconstancy of their mistresses, nor patiently suffer the
advantages of a rival: suffer them therefore to remain in tranquillity,
and do not gain their ill-will for no purpose.

"You certainly will meet with no success with such as are unmarried:
honourable views, and good landed property, are required here; and you
possess as much of the one as the other. Every country has its
customs: in Holland, unmarried ladies are of easy access, and of tender
dispositions; but as soon as ever they are married, they become like
so many Lucretias: in France, the women are great coquettes before
marriage, and still more so afterwards; but here it is a miracle if a
young lady yields to any proposal but that of matrimony and I do not
believe you yet so destitute of grace as to think of that."

Such were Saint Evremond's lectures; but they were all to no purpose:
the Chevalier de Grammont only attended to them for his amusement;
and though he was sensible of the truth they contained, he paid little
regard to them: in fact, being weary of the favours of fortune, he had
just resolved to pursue those of love.

Mrs. Middleton was the first whom he attacked: she was one of the
Handsomest women in town, though then little known at court: so much
of the coquette as to discourage