Anonymous

The Secret History of the Duke of Alançon and Q. Elizabeth. A True History

London

Will with the Whisp

1691

"These Reasons were supported by the impressions which the Duke's Charms had made in the Princess's Spirit, and she would have been glad to hide the inclination of her heart under a pretext of policy; but her mind was still so replenished with the Ideas of her confinement, and the state of her Fortune appeared to her so tottering, that it was hard for her to entertain thoughts so gay, as those of a Gallantry."

These Reasons were supported by the impressions which the Duke's Charms had made in the Princess's Spirit, and she would have been glad to hide the inclination of her heart under a pretext of policy; but her mind was still so replenished with the Ideas of her confinement, and the state of her Fortune appeared to her so tottering, that it was hard for her to entertain thoughts so gay, as those of a Gallantry. So that rejecting the advice Meneville gave her, she told her, That she would indeed be glad to have the Duke of Alançon for a Protector, but that she never thought of making him her Lover. That he had too strict bonds with the Queen for that, That the advances he had made to her Majesty, were sufficient demonstrations of his Ambition; That his Marriage was not quite broke off for being delayed; and that he was far from forsaking the hopes of a Crown, of which he was almost assured, to unite himself to a Princess's Fortunes, who had only a Title to it, and even that uncertain. Nevertheless (added she) if I believed that he had other Sentiments, and that he was generous enough to sacrifice all these advantages to the passion which he has expressed for me, I would not be answerable for my own heart, and I know not whether it would have strength enough to defend it self: But alas (pursued she) these examples of Generosity are no longer found, the Duke of Alançon is infallibly made like other men, he will retake his heart with the same ease as he may have given it; and the first assurances of Friendship Elizabeth shall give him, will prevail in a moment, over the feeble, impressions which I may have been able to make upon his Spirit: But if he were constant enough to love me for ever, and if he should distinguish himself from those of his own Sex, by that, as well as by all other things; yet Ambition would still work in him the same effect as inconstancy.
(pp. 152-155)

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Anonymous, The Secret History of the Duke of Alançon and Q. Elizabeth. A True History (London: Printed for Will with the Whisp, 1691).

06/14/2013