England under Charles II. from the Restoration to the Treaty of Nimeguen, 1660-1678: English History from Contemporary Writers
Taylor, W. F.
1889
"Louise Ren¡e de Penencoët de Kéroualle" versus Nell Gwynne.
Mme de Sevigné, Letters. Letter xcix., trans. | |
.-As regards news from England, Keroualle has got what she deserved. She wished to be the king's mistress, and she is so; he is always with her in the face of all the court; she has had a son who has been acknowledged, and presented with two duchies. She amasses treasure, and is feared and respected as much as possible; but she did not foresee that a young actress that the king doats upon would stand in her way; she has not the power to keep him away from her, and he divides his care, his time, and his health between the two. The actress is as proud as the duchess; she mocks her, pulls faces at her, attacks her, and stealing the king from her, boasts whenever he gives her the preference. She is young, indiscreet, bold, free and lively; she sings, she dances, and takes her position as she finds it. She, too, has a son, and hopes to have him acknowledged in this she reasons thus :-" This duchess says she plays the person of quality ; she claims all the great people in France as her relations, and goes into mourning when anyone dies. If she | |
139 | be a lady, why is she a courtesan ? She should die of shame ! As for me it is my profession, I don't pretend to anything better. The king keeps me, for the moment I am constant. He has a son by me, I claim that he ought to recognise him, and I expect he will, for he loves me as well as mademoiselle." This girl gets the upper hand, and puts the duchess greatly out of countenance. |