Lord Clarendon； 〃when it was least expected or suspected； the queen on a sudden let herself fall； first to conversation； and then to familiarity； and even； in the same instant； to a confidence with the lady； was merry with her in public； talked kindly of her； and in private used no lady more friendly。〃
From that hour her majesty never interfered with the king's amours； and never again did a quarrel rise between them even to the day of his death。
CHAPTER VII。
Their majesties arrive at Whitehall。My Lady Castlemaine a spectator。Young Mr。 Crofts。New arrivals at court。The Hamilton family。The Chevalier de Grammont。Mrs。 Middleton and Miss Kirke。At the queen's ballLa belle Hamilton。The queen mother at Somerset House。The Duke of Monmouth's marriage。Fair Frances Stuart。Those who court her favour。The king's passion。
On the 23rd of August； 1662； their majesties journeyed from Hampton Court to the palace of Whitehall by water。 The gay and goodly procession formed on that occasion has been described as 〃the most magnificent triumph that ever floated on； the Thames。〃 First came barges belonging to city companies； beginning with the mercers and grocers； most of them being attended with a pageant； and all of them richly adorned as became their affection and loyalty。 Then followed barges of statesmen； nobility； and courtiers； with their retinues； brave in numbers； gay in colours； and attended by bands of music。 And finally came the king and queen； seated side by side in a galley of antique shape； all draped with crimson damask； bearing a canopy of cloth of gold； supported by Corinthian pillars； wreathed with ribbons； and festooned with garlands of fragrant flowers。
The whole city was abroad； watchful of their approach； the Thames was covered with boats to the number of ten thousand； and the banks were crowded with spectators beyond reckoning。 On this fair August day the sky had not a single cloud to mar its universal blue； the sun shone gloriously bright； turning the river to sheets of gleaming gold： whilst the air was filled with roaring of cannon； strains of music； and hearty shouts of a loyal multitude。
Mr。 Samuel Pepys； though he offered as much as eight shillings for a boat to attend him that day； could not obtain one； and was therefore obliged to view this gallant procession from the roof of the royal banqueting hall； which commanded a glorious view of the Thames。 But what pleased his erratic fancy best on this occasion was； not the great spectacle he had taken such trouble to survey； but a sight of my Lady Castlemaine； who stood over against him 〃upon a piece of Whitehall。〃 The worthy clerk of the Admiralty 〃glutted〃 himself with looking on her； 〃but methought it was strange；〃 says he； 〃to see her lord and her upon the same place walking up and down without taking notice of one another； only at first entry he put off his hat； and she made him a very civil salute； but afterwards took no notice of one another； but both of them now and then would take their child； which the nurse held in her arms； and dandle it。 One thing more： there happened a scaffold below to fall； and we feared some hurt； but there was none； but she of all the great ladies only ran down among the common rabble to see what hurt was done； and did take care of a child that received some little hurt； which methought was so noble。 Anon there came one there booted and spurred；that she talked long with。 And by…and…by； she being in her haire； she put on her hat； which was but an ordinary one； to keep the wind off。 But methinks it became her mightily； as everything else do。〃
It was notable the countess did not accompany her majesty in the procession to Whitehall； as one of her attendants； but in fact she had not obtained the position sought for； though she enjoyed all the privileges pertaining to such an appointment。 〃Everybody takes her to be of the bedchamber；〃 the lord chancellor writes to the Duke of Ormond； 〃for she is always there； and goes abrode in the coach。 But the queen tells me that the king promised her； on condition she would use her as she doth others； that she should never live in court； yet lodgings I hear she hath。〃 Lodgings the countess certainly had provided for her in that block of the palace of Whitehall； separated from the main buildings by the old roadway running between Westminster and the city。
A few days after their majesties' arrival at Whitehall； the queen mother returned to town； and established her court at Somerset House； which had been prepared for her future abode。 She had arrived in England before the king and queen left Hampton Court； and had taken up her residence at Greenwich Palace。 The avowed object of her visit was to congratulate them upon their marriage。 Charles and his bride therefore took barge to Greenwich； one bright July day； followed by a brilliant and illustrious train； that they might wait upon her majesty。 And she； being made aware of their approach； met them at the portal of the palace。 There Catherine would have gone down upon her knees to this gracious ladythe survivor of great sorrowsbut she took the young queen in her arms； and calling her beloved daughter； kissed her many times。 Then she greeted her sons Charles and James； likewise the Duchess of York； and led them to the presence…chamber； followed by the whole court。 And presently when Catherine would； through her interpreter； have expressed her gratitude and affection； the elder queen besought her to lay aside all ceremony； for she 〃should never have come to England again except for the pleasure of seeing her； to love her as her daughter； and serve her as her queen。〃 At these sweet words the young wife； now in the first days of her grief； was almost overcome by a sense of thankfulness； and could scarce restrain her tears； but she answered bravely； 〃Believe me； madam； that in love and obedience neither the king nor any of your children shall exceed me。〃
The court of the merry monarch and that of the queen mother being now settled in town； a period of vast brilliancy ensued； during which great festivity and much scandal obtained； by reason of intrigues in which the king and his friends indulged。 Whitehall； the scene of so much gaiety and gallantry； was a palace by no means befitting the luxurious Charles。 It consisted of a series of irregular houses built for different purposes at various periods； these contained upwards of two thousand rooms； most of which were small； and many of which were without doors。 The buildings were intersected by grassy squares； where fountains played； statues were grouped； and dials shadowed the passing hour。 At hand stood St。 James's Park； with its fair meadows and leafy trees； close by flowed the placid Thames； bearing heavily laden lighters and innumerable barges。 Attached to these dwellings； and forming part of the palace； stood the great banquet hall； erected from designs by Inigo Jones for James I。 Here audiences to ambassadors； state balls； and great banquets were held。 The ceiling was painted by Rubens； and was； moreover； handsomely moulded and richly gilt。 Above the entrance…door stood a statue of Charles I。；〃whose majestic mien delighted the spectator；〃 Whilst close by one of the windows were the ineradicable stains of blood； marking the spot near which he had been beheaded。
Now in the train of the queen mother there had travelled from France 〃a most pretty sparke of about fourteen years；〃 whom Mr。 Pepys plainly terms 〃the king's bastard；〃 but who was known to the court as young Mr。 Crofts。 This little gentleman was son of Lucy Walters； 〃a brown； beautiful； bold creature；〃 who had the distinction of being first mistress to the merry monarch。 That he was his offspring the king entertained no doubt； though others did； inasmuch as young Mr。 Crofts grew to resemble； 〃even to the wart on his face；〃 Colonel Robert Sidney； whose paramour Lucy Walters had been a brief while before his majesty began an intrigue with her。 Soon after the boy's birth that beautiful woman abandoned herself to pleasures； in which the king had no participation。 He therefore parted from her； had her son placed under the guardianship of Lord Crofts； whose name he bore； and educated by the Peres de l'Oratoire at Paris。 The while he was continually at the court of the queen mother； who regarded him as her grandson； and who； by the king's command； now brought him into England。 The beauty of his face and grace of his figure could not be exceeded； whilst his manner was as winning as his air was noble。 Moreover； his accomplishments were numerous； he danced to perfection； sang with sweetness； rode with skill； and so gallant was his nature that he became at this early age； as Hamilton affirms； 〃the universal terror of husbands and lovers。〃
The king betrayed the greatest affection for him； and took exceeding pride in being father of such a brave and comely youth； at which my Lady Castlemaine was both wrathful and jealous； fearing he would avert the royal favour from her own offspring； but these feelings she afterwards overcame； as will be duly shown。 His majesty speedily showered honours upon him； allotted him a suite of apartments in the royal palace of Whitehall； appointed him a retinue befitting the heir apparent； c