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worthy Lord； singularly expert in military discipline and faithfull in
all affaires of the Kingdome （yet fitter for ease and pleasure； then
laborious toyle and travalle：） he was elected Lieutenant Governour
in their sted； over the whole kingdom of France； and then they went on
in their enterprize。
Now began the Count to execute the office committed to his trust； by
orderly proceeding； and with great discretion； yet not entering into
any businesse； without consent of the Queene and her faire daughter in
Law： who although they were left under his care and custodie； yet
（notwithstanding） he honoured them as his superiours； and as the
dignity of their quality required。 Here you are to observe； concerning
Count Gualtier himselfe； that he was a most compleate person； aged
litle above forty yeeres； as affable and singularly conditioned； as
any Nobleman possibly could be； nor did those times affoord a
Gentleman； that equalled him in all respects。 It fortuned； that the
King and his sonne being busy in the aforenamed war； the wife and Lady
of Count Gualtier died in the mean while； leaving him onely a sonne
and a daughter very yong； and of tender yeeres； which made his owne
home the lesse welcom to him； having lost his deere Love； and second
selfe。
Heereupon； he resorted to the Court of the said Ladies the more
frequently； often conferring with them； about the waighty affaires
of the Kingdome： in which time of so serious interparlance； the
Kings sonnes wife； threw many affectionate regards upon him； convaying
such conspiring passions to her heart （in regard of his person and
vertues） that her love exceeded all capacity of governement。 Her
desires out…stepping al compasse of modesty； or the dignity of her
Princely condition； throwes off all regard of civill and sober
thoughts； and guides her into a Labyrinth of wanton imaginations。 For；
she regards not now the eminency of his high Authority； his gravity of
yeares； and those parts that are the true conducts to honour： but
lookes upon her owne loose and lascivious appetite； her young；
gallant； and over…ready yeelding nature； comparing them with his
want of a wife； and likely hope thereby of her sooner prevailing；
supposing； that nothing could be her hindrance； but onely bashfull
shamefastnesse； which she rather chose utterly to forsake and set
aside； then to faile of her hot enflarned affection； and therefore she
would needs be the discoverer of her owne disgrace。
Upon a day； being alone by her selfe； and the time seeming
suteable to her intention： shee sent for the Count； under colour of
some other important conference with him。 The Count D'Aongiers；
whose thoughts were quite contrary to hers： immediately went to her；
where they both sitting downe together on a beds side in her
Chamber； according as formerly shee had plotted her purpose； twice hee
demaunded of her； upon what occasion she had thus sent for him。 She
sitting a long while silent； as if she had no answere to make him；
pressed by the violence of her amorous passions； a Vermillion tincture
leaping up into her face； yet shame enforcing teares from her eyes；
with words broken and halfe confused； at last she began to deliver her
minde in this manner。
Honourable Lord； and my deerely respected Friend； being so wise a
man as you are； it is no difficult matter for you to know； what a
frayle condition is imposed both on men and women； yet （for divers
occasions） much more upon the one； then the other。 Wherefore
desertfully； in the censure of a just and upright judge； a fault of
divers conditions （in respect of the person） ought not to bee censured
with one and the same punnishment。 Beside； who will not say； that a
man or woman of poore and meane estate； having no other helpe for
maintainance； but laborious travaile of their bodies； should
worthily receive more sharpe reprehension； in yeelding to amorous
desires； or such passions as are incited by love； then a wealthy
Lady whose living relieth not on her pains or cares； neither wanteth
any thing that she can wish to have： I dare presume； that you your
selfe will allow this to be equall and just。 In which respect； I am of
the minde； that the fore…named allegations； ought to serve as a
sufficient excuse； yea； and to the advantage of her who is so
possessed； if the passions of love should over…reach her： alwayes
provided； that shee can pleade in her owne defence； the choice of a
wise and vertuous friend； answerable to her owne condition and
quality； and no way to be taxt with a servile or vile election。
These two speciall observations； allowable in my judgement； and
living now in mee； seizing on my youthfull blood and yeeres； have
found no mean inducement to love； in regard of my husbands far
distance from me； medling in the rude uncivill actions of warre；
when he should rather be at home in more sweet imployment。 You see
Sir； that these Oratours advance themselves here in your presence；
to acquaint you with the extremity of my over…commanding agony： and if
the same power hath dominion in you； which your discretion
（questionlesse） cannot be voide of； then let me entreate such advice
from you； as may rather helpe； then hinder my hopes。 Beleeve it then
for trueth Sir； that the long absence of my husband from me； the
solitary condition wherein I am left； il agreeing with the hot blood
running in my veines； and the temper of my earnest desires： have so
prevailed against my strongest resistances； that not onely so weake
a woman as I am； but any man of much more potent might； （living in
ease and idlenesse as I do） cannot withstand such continuall assaults；
having no other helpe then flesh and blood。
Nor am I so ignorant； but publike knowledge of such an error in mee；
would be reputed a shrewd taxation of honesty： whereas （on the other
side） secret carriage； and heedfull managing such amorous affaires；
may passe for currant without any reproach。 And let me tel you；
noble Count； that I repute love highly favourable to mee； by guiding
my judgement with such moderation； to make election of a wise； worthy；
and honorable friend； fit to enjoy the grace of a farre greater Lady
then I am； and the first letter of his name； is the Count D'Angiers。
For if error have not misled mine eye； as in love no Lady can be
easily deceived： for person； perfections； and all parts most to bee
commended in a man； the whole Realme of France containeth not your
equall。 Observe beside； how forward Fortune sheweth her selfe to us
both in this case； you to bee destitute of a wife； as I am of an
husband； for I account him as dead to me； when he denies me the duties
belonging to a wife。 Wherefore； in regard of the unfained affection
I beare you； and compassion which you ought to have of a Royall
Princesse； even almost sicke to death for your sake； I earnestly
entreat you； not to deny mee your loving society； but pittying my
youth and fiery affections （never to be quenched but by your
kindnesse） I may enjoy my hearts desire。
As shee uttered these words； the teares streamed aboundantly downe
her faire cheekes； preventing her of any further speech： so that
dejecting her head into her bosome； overcome with the predomin