The Memoirs of Count Grammont — Volume 06

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The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Memoirs of Count Grammont, Volume 6 by Anthony HamiltonThis eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it,give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online atwww.gutenberg.netTitle: The Memoirs of Count Grammont, Volume 6Author: Anthony HamiltonRelease Date: December 4, 2004 [EBook #5414]Language: English*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK COUNT GRAMMONT ***Produced by David WidgerMEMOIRS OF COUNT GRAMMONT, VOLUME 6.By Anthony HamiltonEDITED, WITH NOTES, BY SIR WALTER SCOTTCHAPTER TENTH.OTHER LOVE INTRIGUES AT THE ENGLISH COURT.The conversation before related was agreeable only to Miss Hobart; for if Miss Temple was entertained with itscommencement, she was so much the more irritated by its conclusion this indignation was succeeded by the curiosity ofknowing the reason why, if Sidney had a real esteem for her, she should not be allowed to pay some attention to him.As soon as they retired from the closet, Miss Sarah came out of the bath, where during all this conversation, she hadbeen almost perished with cold, without daring to complain. This little gipsy had, it seems, obtained leave of MissHobart's woman to bathe herself unknown to her mistress; and having, I know not how, found means to fill one of thebaths with cold water, Miss Sarah had just got into it, when they were both ...

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TChoeu nPt roGjreactm Gmuotnet,n bVeorlgu mEeB o6o bk yo fA nTthheo nMye Hmaoimrislt oofnThis eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere atno cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever.You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under theterms of the Project Gutenberg License includedwith this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.netTitle: The Memoirs of Count Grammont, Volume 6Author: Anthony HamiltonRelease Date: December 4, 2004 [EBook #5414]Language: English*E**B OSTOAK RCT OOUFN TT HGISR APMROMJOENCTT **G*UTENBERGProduced by David Widger

GMREAMMOIMROS NOTF, VCOOLUUNMTE.6By Anthony HamiltonEDITED, WITH NOTES, BY SIR WALTER SCOTT

CHAPTER TENTH.OTHER LOVE INTRIGUES AT THE ENGLISHCOURT.The conversation before related was agreeableonly to Miss Hobart; for if Miss Temple wasentertained with its commencement, she was somuch the more irritated by its conclusion thisindignation was succeeded by the curiosity ofknowing the reason why, if Sidney had a realesteem for her, she should not be allowed to paysome attention to him.As soon as they retired from the closet, MissSarah came out of the bath, where during all thisconversation, she had been almost perished withcold, without daring to complain. This little gipsyhad, it seems, obtained leave of Miss Hobart'swoman to bathe herself unknown to her mistress;and having, I know not how, found means to fillone of the baths with cold water, Miss Sarah hadjust got into it, when they were both alarmed withthe arrival of the other two. A glass partitionenclosed the room where the baths were, andIndian silk curtains, which drew on the inside,screened those that were bathing. Miss Hobart'schamber-maid had only just time to draw thesecurtains, that the girl might not be seen to lock thepartition door, and to take away the key, before hermistress and Miss Temple came in.

These two sat down on a couch placed along thepartition, and Miss Sarah, notwithstanding heralarms, had distinctly heard, and perfectly retainedthe whole conversation. As the little girl was at allthis trouble to make herself clean, only on LordRochester's account, as soon as ever she couldmake her escape she regained her garret; whereRochester, having repaired thither at the appointedhour, was fully informed of all that had passed inthe bathing room. He was astonished at theaudacious temerity of Hobart, in daring to put sucha trick upon him; but, though he rightly judged thatlove and jealousy were the real motives, he wouldnot excuse her. Little Sarah desired to knowwhether he had a real affection for Miss Temple,as Miss Hobart said she supposed that was thecase. "Can you doubt it," replied he, "since thatoracle of sincerity has affirmed it? But then youknow that I am not now capable of profiting by myperfidy, were I even to gain Miss Temple'scompliance, since my debauches and the street-walkers have brought me to order."This answer made Miss Sarah very easy, for sheconcluded that the first article was not true, sinceshe knew from experience that the latter was false.Lord Rochester was resolved that very evening toattend the duchess's court, to see what receptionhe would meet with after the fine portrait MissHobart had been so kind as to draw of him. MissTemple did not fail to be there likewise, with theintention of looking on him with the mostcontemptuous disdain possible, though she hadtaken care to dress herself as well as she could.

As she supposed that the lampoon Miss Hobarthad sung to her was in everybody's possession,she was under great embarrassment lest all thosewhom she met should think her such a monster asLord Rochester had described her. In the meantime, Miss Hobart, who had not much confidence inher promises never more to speak to him, narrowlywatched her. Miss Temple never in her lifeappeared so handsome every personcomplimented her upon it; but she received all thecivilities with such an air, that every one thoughtshe was mad; for when they commended hershape, her fresh complexion, and the brilliancy ofher eyes: "Pshaw," said she, "it is very well knownthat I am but a monster, and formed in no respectlike other women: all is not gold that glisters; andthough I may receive some compliments in public,it signifies nothing." All Miss Hobart's endeavoursto stop her tongue were ineffectual; and continuingto rail at herself ironically, the whole court waspuzzled to comprehend her meaning.When Lord Rochester came in, she first blushed,then turned pale, made a motion to go towardshim, drew back again, pulled her gloves one afterthe other up to the elbow; and after having threetimes violently flirted her fan, she waited until hepaid his compliments to her as usual, and as soonas he began to bow, the fair one immediatelyturned her back upon him. Rochester only smiled,and being resolved that her resentment should bestill more remarked, he turned round and postinghimself face to face: "Madam," said he, "nothingcan be so glorious as to look so charming as you

tdhor,e aef tloern gs uhcohu ras ,f aatingdu iMnigs sd aHy:o btoa rst uapftpeorrwt aar drisd,e ofwithout being tired, shows indeed a very strongconstitution."Miss Temple had naturally a tender look, but shewas transported with such a violent passion at hishaving the audacity to speak to her, that her eyesappeared like two fireballs when she turned themupon him. Hobart pinched her arm, as sheperceived that this look was likely to be followed bya torrent of reproaches and invectives.Lord Rochester did not wait for them, and delayinguntil another opportunity the acknowledgments heowed Miss Hobart, he quietly retired. The latter,who could not imagine that he knew anything oftheir conversation at the bath, was, however, muchalarmed at what he had said; but Miss Temple,almost choked with the reproaches with which shethought herself able to confound him and whichshe had not time to give vent to, vowed to easeher mind of them upon the first opportunity,notwithstanding the promise she had made; butnever more to speak to him afterwards.Lord Rochester had a faithful spy near thesenymphs: this was Miss Sarah, who, by his advice,and with her aunt's consent, was reconciled withMiss Hobart, the more effectually to betray her: hewas informed by this spy, that Miss Hobart's maid,being suspected of having listened to them in thecloset, had been turned away; that she had takenanother, whom in all probability, she would not

keep long, because, in the first place, she wasugly, and, in the second, she eat the sweetmeatsthat were prepared for Miss Temple. Although thisintelligence was not very material, Sarah wasnevertheless praised for her punctuality andattention; and a few days afterwards she broughthim news of real importance.Rochester was by her informed, that Miss Hobartand her new favourite designed, about nine o'clockin the evening to walk in the Mall, in the Park; thatthey were to change clothes with each other, to puton scarfs, and wear black-masks: she added, thatMiss Hobart had strongly opposed this project, butthat she was obliged to give way at last, MissTemple having resolved to indulge her fancy.Upon the strength of this intelligence, Rochesterconcerted his measures: he went to Killegrew,complained to him of the trick which Miss Hobarthad played him, and desired his assistance in orderto be revenged: this was readily granted, andhaving acquainted him with the measures heintended to pursue, and given him the part he wasto act in this adventure, they went to the Mall.Presently after appeared our two nymphs inmasquerade: their shapes were not very different,and their faces, which were very unlike each other,were concealed with their masks. The companywas but thin in the Park; and as soon as MissTemple perceived them at a distance, shequickened her pace in order to join them, with thedesign, under her disguise, severely to reprimand

the perfidious Rochester; when Miss Hobartstopping her: "Where are you running to?" saidshe; "have you a mind to engage in conversationwith these two devils, to be exposed to all theinsolence and impertinence for which they are sonotorious?" These remonstrances were entirelyuseless: Miss Temple was resolved to try theexperiment: and all that could be obtained fromher, was, not to answer any of the questionsRochester might ask her.They were accosted just as they had donespeaking: Rochester fixed upon Hobart, pretendingto take her for the other; at which she wasoverjoyed; but Miss Temple was extremely sorryshe fell to Killegrew's share, with whom she hadnothing to do: he perceived her uneasiness, and,pretending to know her by her clothes: "Ah! MissHobart," said he, "be so kind as look this way if youplease: I know not by what chance you both camehither, but I am sure it is very apropos for you,since I have something to say to you, as yourfriend and humble servant."This beginning raising her curiosity, Miss Templeappeared more inclined to attend him; andKillegrew perceiving that the other couple hadinsensibly proceeded some distance from them: "Inthe name of God," said he: "what do you mean byrailing so against Lord Rochester, whom you knowto be one of the most honourable men at court,and whom you nevertheless described as thegreatest villain, to the person whom of all others heesteems and respects the most? What do you

think would become of you, if he knew that youmade Miss Temple believe she is the personalluded to in a certain song, which you know aswell as myself was made upon the clumsy MissPrice, above a year before the fair Temple washeard of? Be not surprised that I know so much ofthe matter; but pay a little attention, I pray you, towhat I am now going to tell you out of purefriendship: your passion and inclinations for MissTemple are known to every one but herself; forwhatever methods you used to impose upon herinnocence, the world does her the justice to believethat she would treat you as Lady Falmouth did, ifthe poor girl knew the wicked designs you hadupon her: I caution you, therefore, against makingany farther advances, to a person, too modest tolisten to them: I advise you likewise to take backyour maid again, in order to silence her scandaloustongue; for she says everywhere, that she is withchild, that you are the occasion of her being in thatcondition, and accuses you of behaving towardsher with the blackest ingratitude, upon triflingsuspicions only: you know very well, these are nostories of my own invention; but that you may notentertain any manner of doubt, that I had all thisfrom her own mouth, she has told me yourconversation in the bathing-room, the charactersyou there drew of the principal men at court, yourartful malice in applying so improperly ascandalous song to one of the loveliest women inall England; and in what manner the innocent girlfell into the snare you had laid for her, in order todo justice to her charms. But that which might beof the most fatal consequences to you in that long

conversation, is the revealing certain secrets,which, in all probability, the duchess did not entrustyou with, to be imparted to the maids of honour:reflect upon this, and neglect not to make somereparation to Sir Lyttleton, for the ridicule withwhich you were pleased to load him. I know notwhether he had his information from your femme-de-chambre, but I am very certain that he hassworn he will be revenged, and he is a man thatkeeps his word; for after all, that you may not bedeceived by his look, like that of a Stoic, and hisgravity, like that of a judge, I must acquaint you,that he is the most passionate man living. Indeed,these invectives are of the blackest and mosthorrible nature: he says it is most infamous, that awretch like yourself should find no otheremployment than to blacken the characters ofgentlemen, to gratify your jealousy; that if you donot desist from such conduct for the future, he willimmediately complain of you; and that if her royalhighness will not do him justice, he is determined todo himself justice, and to run you through the bodywith his own sword, though you were even in thearms of Miss Temple; and that it is mostscandalous that all the maids of honour should getinto your hands before they can look around them."These things, madam, I thought it my duty toacquaint you with: you are better able to judge thanmyself, whether what I have now advanced betrue, and I leave it to your own discretion to makewhat use you think proper of my advice; but were Iin your situation, I would endeavour to reconcileLord Rochester and Miss Temple. Once more I

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