is vehicle； for having left their oranges in the coach； some boys had essayed to help themselves； whereon the man fell foul of them。 But he； being one against many； was like to fare badly at their hands； seeing which； the maids of honour persuaded him to let the crowd take the fruit and drive them back at once。 This conduct had not the effect of appeasing those who profited by its generosity； for the gentlewomen were greeted with most foul abuse； and many unworthy charges were laid to their account in language more vigorous than polished。 And having at last arrived in safety at Whitehall； they resolved never to sally forth in search of adventure again。
After various strange experiences in his character as doctor of medicine and teller of fortunes； of the weakness of human nature and strength of common credulity； the learned Alexander Bendo vanished from the city； and about the same time the gallant Earl of Rochester appeared at court； where he sought for and obtained the merry monarch's pardon。 The wonderful stories he was enabled to relate； piquant in detail； and sparkling with wit； rendered it delightful to the king； in whose favour he soon regained his former supremacy。 Nay； Charles even determined to enrich and reward him； not indeed from the resources of his privy purse； his majesty's income being all too little for his mistresses' rapacity； but by uniting him to a charming woman and an heiress。
The lady whom his majesty selected for this purpose was Elizabeth Mallett； daughter of Lord Hawley of Donamore。 Now this gentlewoman had a fortune of two thousand five hundred a year； a considerable sum in those days； and one which gained her many suitors； amongst whom Lord Hinchingbrook was commended by her family； and Lord Rochester by the king。 Now the latter nobleman； having but a poor estate； was anxious to obtain her wealth； and fearful of losing his suit： and being uncertain as to whether he could gain her consent to marry him by fair means； he resolved to obtain it by execution of a daring scheme。
This was to carry her off by force； an action which highly commended itself to his adventurous spirit。 Accordingly he selected a night on which the heiress supped at Whitehall with her friend Miss Stuart； for conducting his enterprise。 It therefore happened that as Elizabeth Mallett was returning home from the palace in company with her grandfather； their coach was suddenly stopped at Charing Cross。 Apprehending some danger； Lord Hawley looked out； and by the red light of a score of torches flashing through darkness； saw he was surrounded by a band of armed men； both afoot and on horse。 Their action was prompt and decisive； for before either my lord or his granddaughter was aware of their intention； the latter was seized； forcibly lifted from the coach； and transferred to another which awaited close at hand。 This was driven by six horses； and occupied by two women； who received the heiress with all possible respect。 No sooner had she been placed in the coach than the horses were set to a gallop； and away she sped； surrounded by a company of horsemen。
Lord Hawley was cast into the uttermost grief and passion by this outrage； but his condition did not prevent him speedily gathering a number of friends and retainers； in company with whom he gave chase to those who had abducted his granddaughter； and so fast did they ride that Mistress Mallett was overtaken at Uxbridge； and carried back in safety to town。 For this outrageous attempt； my Lord Rochester was by the king's command committed to the Tower； there to await his majesty's good pleasure。 It seemed now as if the earl's chance of gaining the heiress had passed away for ever； inasmuch as Charles regarded the attempted abduction with vast displeasure； and my Lord Hawley with terrible indignation。
But the ways of women being inexplicable； it happened in a brief while Mistress Mallett was inclined to regret my Lord Rochester's imprisonment； and therefore moved to have him released； and； moreover； she was subsequently pleased to regard his suit and accept him as her wedded lord。 It speaks favourably for his character that with all his faults she loved him well： nor did Rochester； though occasionally unfaithful； ever treat her with unkindness。 At times the old spirit of restlessness and passion for adventure would master him； when he would withdraw himself from her society for weeks and months。 But she； though sadly afflicted by such conduct； did not resent it。 〃If I could have been troubled at anything； when I had the happiness of receiving a letter from you；〃 she writes to him on one occasion when he had absented himself from her for long； 〃I should be so because you did not name a time when I might hope to see you； the uncertainty of which very much afflicts me。〃 And again the poor patient wife tells him； 〃Lay your commands upon me； what I am to do； and though it be to forget my children； and the long hope I have lived in of seeing you； yet I will endeavour to obey you； or in memory only torment myself； without giving you the trouble of putting you in mind that there lives such a creature as your faithful humble servant。〃 At length dissipation undermined his naturally strong constitution； and for months this once most gay and gallant man； this 〃noble and beautiful earl；〃 lay dying of that cruel disease consumption。 The while such thoughts as come to those who reason of life's vanities beset him； and as he descended into the valley of shadows； the folly of this world's ways was made clear to him。 And repenting of his sins； he died in peace with God and man at the age of three…and…thirty。
George Villiers second Duke of Buckingham； was not less notable than my Lord Rochester。 By turns he played such diverse parts in life's strange comedy as that of a spendthrift and a miser； a profligate and a philosopher； a statesman who sought the ruin of his country； and a courtier who pandered to the pleasures of his king。 But inasmuch as this history is concerned with the social rather than the political life of those mentioned in its pages； place must be given to such adventures as were connected with the court and courtiers。 Buckingham's were chiefly concerned with his intrigues； which； alas！ were many and strange； for though his wife was loving and virtuous； she was likewise lean and brown； and wholly incapable of controlling his erring fancies。 Perhaps it was knowledge of her lack of comeliness which helped her to bear the burden of his follies； for according to Madame Dunois； though the duchess knew he was continually engaged in amours； she； by virtue of a patience uncommon to her sex； forbore mentioning the subject to him； and 〃had complaisance enough to entertain his mistresses； and even lodge them in her house； all which she suffered because she loved him。〃
The most remarkable of his intrigues was that which connected his name with the Countess of Shrewsbury。 Her ladyship； was daughter of the second Earl of Cardigan； and wife of the eleventh Earl of Shrewsbury。 She was married a year previous to the restoration； and upon the establishment of the court at Whitehall had become one of its most distinguished beauties。 Nor was she less famed for the loveliness of her person than for the generosity of her disposition； inasmuch as none who professed themselves desirous of her affection were ever allowed to languish in despair。 She therefore had many admirers； some of whom were destined to suffer for the distinction her friendship conferred。
Now one of the first to gain her attachment was the young Earl of Arran； the grace of whose bearing and ardour of whose character were alike notable to the court。 The verses he sung her to an accompaniment of his guitar； and the glances he gave her indicative of his passion； might have melted a heart less cold than hers。 Accordingly they gained him a friendship which； by reason of her vast benevolence； many were subsequently destined to share。 Now it chanced that the little Jermyn； who had already succeeded in winning the affections of such notable women as the poor Princess of Orange and my Lady Castlemaine； and had besides conducted a series of minor intrigues with various ladies connected with the court； was somewhat piqued that Lady Shrewsbury had accepted my Lord Arran's attentions without encouraging his。 For Henry Jermyn； by virtue of the fascinations he exercised and the consequent reputation he enjoyed； expected to be wooed by such women as desired his love。
But when； later on； Lord Arran's devotion to the lady was succeeded by that of Thomas Howard； brother to the Earl of Carlisle； and captain of the guards； Jermyn was thoroughly incensed； and resolved to make an exception in favour of the countess by beginning those civilities which act as preludes to intrigue。 My lady； who was not judicious enough to be off with the old love before she was on with the new； accepted Jermyn's advances with an eagerness that gave promise of further favours。 This was highly displeasing to Howard； a brave and generous man； who under an exterior of passive calmness concealed a spirit of fearless courage。 Though not desirous of picking a quarrel with his rival； he was unwilling to suffer his impertinent interference。