royalty restored-第31部分
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nd away she sped； surrounded by a company of horsemen。
Lord Hawley was cast into the uttermost grief and passion by this outrage； but his condition did not prevent him speedily gathering a number of friends and retainers； in company with whom he gave chase to those who had abducted his granddaughter； and so fast did they ride that Mistress Mallett was overtaken at Uxbridge； and carried back in safety to town。 For this outrageous attempt； my Lord Rochester was by the king's command committed to the Tower； there to await his majesty's good pleasure。 It seemed now as if the earl's chance of gaining the heiress had passed away for ever； inasmuch as Charles regarded the attempted abduction with vast displeasure； and my Lord Hawley with terrible indignation。
But the ways of women being inexplicable； it happened in a brief while Mistress Mallett was inclined to regret my Lord Rochester's imprisonment； and therefore moved to have him released； and； moreover； she was subsequently pleased to regard his suit and accept him as her wedded lord。 It speaks favourably for his character that with all his faults she loved him well： nor did Rochester； though occasionally unfaithful； ever treat her with unkindness。 At times the old spirit of restlessness and passion for adventure would master him； when he would withdraw himself from her society for weeks and months。 But she； though sadly afflicted by such conduct； did not resent it。 〃If I could have been troubled at anything； when I had the happiness of receiving a letter from you；〃 she writes to him on one occasion when he had absented himself from her for long； 〃I should be so because you did not name a time when I might hope to see you； the uncertainty of which very much afflicts me。〃 And again the poor patient wife tells him； 〃Lay your commands upon me； what I am to do； and though it be to forget my children； and the long hope I have lived in of seeing you； yet I will endeavour to obey you； or in memory only torment myself； without giving you the trouble of putting you in mind that there lives such a creature as your faithful humble servant。〃 At length dissipation undermined his naturally strong constitution； and for months this once most gay and gallant man； this 〃noble and beautiful earl；〃 lay dying of that cruel disease consumption。 The while such thoughts as come to those who reason of life's vanities beset him； and as he descended into the valley of shadows； the folly of this world's ways was made clear to him。 And repenting of his sins； he died in peace with God and man at the age of three…and…thirty。
George Villiers second Duke of Buckingham； was not less notable than my Lord Rochester。 By turns he played such diverse parts in life's strange comedy as that of a spendthrift and a miser； a profligate and a philosopher； a statesman who sought the ruin of his country； and a courtier who pandered to the pleasures of his king。 But inasmuch as this history is concerned with the social rather than the political life of those mentioned in its pages； place must be given to such adventures as were connected with the court and courtiers。 Buckingham's were chiefly concerned with his intrigues； which； alas！ were many and strange； for though his wife was loving and virtuous； she was likewise lean and brown； and wholly incapable of controlling his erring fancies。 Perhaps it was knowledge of her lack of comeliness which helped her to bear the burden of his follies； for according to Madame Dunois； though the duchess knew he was continually engaged in amours； she； by virtue of a patience uncommon to her sex； forbore mentioning the subject to him； and 〃had complaisance enough to entertain his mistresses； and even lodge them in her house； all which she suffered because she loved him。〃
The most remarkable of his intrigues was that which connected his name with the Countess of Shrewsbury。 Her ladyship； was daughter of the second Earl of Cardigan； and wife of the eleventh Earl of Shrewsbury。 She was married a year previous to the restoration； and upon the establishment of the court at Whitehall had become one of its most distinguished beauties。 Nor was she less famed for the loveliness of her person than for the generosity of her disposition； inasmuch as none who professed themselves desirous of her affection were ever allowed to languish in despair。 She therefore had many admirers； some of whom were destined to suffer for the distinction her friendship conferred。
Now one of the first to gain her attachment was the young Earl of Arran； the grace of whose bearing and ardour of whose character were alike notable to the court。 The verses he sung her to an accompaniment of his guitar； and the glances he gave her indicative of his passion； might have melted a heart less cold than hers。 Accordingly they gained him a friendship which； by reason of her vast benevolence； many were subsequently destined to share。 Now it chanced that the little Jermyn； who had already succeeded in winning the affections of such notable women as the poor Princess of Orange and my Lady Castlemaine； and had besides conducted a series of minor intrigues with various ladies connected with the court； was somewhat piqued that Lady Shrewsbury had accepted my Lord Arran's attentions without encouraging his。 For Henry Jermyn； by virtue of the fascinations he exercised and the consequent reputation he enjoyed； expected to be wooed by such women as desired his love。
But when； later on； Lord Arran's devotion to the lady was succeeded by that of Thomas Howard； brother to the Earl of Carlisle； and captain of the guards； Jermyn was thoroughly incensed； and resolved to make an exception in favour of the countess by beginning those civilities which act as preludes to intrigue。 My lady； who was not judicious enough to be off with the old love before she was on with the new； accepted Jermyn's advances with an eagerness that gave promise of further favours。 This was highly displeasing to Howard； a brave and generous man； who under an exterior of passive calmness concealed a spirit of fearless courage。 Though not desirous of picking a quarrel with his rival； he was unwilling to suffer his impertinent interference。 Jermyn； on the other hand； not being aware of Howard's real character； sought an early opportunity of insulting him。 Such being their dispositions； a quarrel speedily ensued； which happened in this manner。
One fair summer day Captain Howard gave an entertainment at Spring Gardens； in honour of the countess。 These gardens were situated close by Charing Cross； and opened into the spacious walks of St。 James's Park。 Bounded on one side by a grove； and containing leafy arbours and numerous thickets； the gardens were 〃contrived to all the advantages of gallantry。〃 The scene of many an intrigue； they were constantly frequented by denizens of the court and dwellers in the city； to whom they afforded recreation and pleasure。 In the centre of these fair gardens stood a cabaret； or house of entertainment； where repasts were served at exceeding high prices； and much good wine was drunk。 Here it was Captain Howard received my Lady Shrewsbury and a goodly company； spread a delicate banquet for them； and for their better diversion provided some excellent music played upon the bagpipes； by a soldier noted for his execution on that instrument。
Jermyn hearing of the great preparations Captain Howard made； resolved to be present on the occasion； and accordingly； before the hour appointed for dinner； betook himself to the garden； and as if he had arrived there by accident； strolled leisurely down the broad pleasant paths； bordered by pinks and fragrant roses clustering in the hedgerows。 And presently drawing nigh the cabaret； he tarried there until the countess； rich in physical graces； with sunny smiles upon her lips； and amorous light in her eyes； stepped forth upon the balcony and greeted him。 Whereon his heart took fire： and entering the house； he joined her where she stood； and held pleasant converse with her。 Inflated by his success； he resolved on making himself disagreeable to the host； and therefore ventured to criticize the entertainment； and ridicule the music； which he voted barbarous to civilized ears。 And to such an extent did he outrage Thomas Howard； that the gallant captain； being more of a soldier than a courtier； and therefore preferring passages at arms to those of wit； could scarce refrain from drawing his sword and demanding the satisfaction due to him。
However； he subdued his wrath till the day was spent； and early next morning sent a challenge to his rival。 Accordingly they met with fierce intent； and the duel which followed ended almost fatally for Jermyn； who was carried from the scene of encounter bleeding from three wounds caused by his antagonist's sword。
The unfortunate issue of this fight deprived Lady Shrewsbury of two lovers； for Howard； having rendered Jermyn unable to perform the part of a gallant； was obliged to fly from the country and remain abroad some time。
In their stead the countess sought consolation in the companionship of Thomas Killigrew； a handsome man and a notable courtier。 She therefore had no regrets for the past： and he was entirely happy in the present； so that he boasted of his felicities to all acquaintance； in general； and to his friend the Duke of Buckingham in particular。 It was Killigrew's constant habit to sup with his grace； on which occasions his conversation invariably turned on her ladyship； when； his imagination being heated by wine； he freely endowed her with the perfections of a goddess。 To such descriptions the duke could not listen unmoved； and therefore resolved to judge for himself if indeed the countess was such a model of loveliness as Killigrew represented。 Accordingly； at the first opportunity which presented itself； the duke made love to her； and she； nothing averse to his attentions； encouraged his affections。 Killigrew was much aggrieved at this unexpected turn of affairs； and bitterly reproached the countess； but she； being mistress of the situation； boldly denied all knowledge of him。
This was more than he expected or could endure； and he consequently abused her roundly in all companies； characterizing the charms of which he onc
