It was a tale that set the profligate company in a roar. But
there was one present who afterwards sent a report of it to the
Countess, and you conceive the nature of the emotions it aroused
in her. Her rage was the greater for being stifled. It was
obviously impossible for her to appeal to her lover, the Elector,
to avenge her. From the Elector, above all others, must the
matter be kept concealed. But not on that account would she forgo
the vengeance due. She would present a reckoning in full ere all
was done, and bitterly should the presumptuous young adventurer
who had flouted her be made to pay.
The opportunity was very soon to be afforded her. It arose more
or less directly out of an act in which she indulged her spite
against Sophia. This lay in throwing Melusina Schulemberg into
the arms of the Electoral Prince. Melusina, who was years
afterwards to be created Duchess of Kendal, had not yet attained
to that completeness of lank, bony hideousness that was later to
distinguish her in England. But even in youth she could boast of
little attraction. Prince George, however, was easily attracted.
A dull, undignified libertine, addicted to over-eating, heavy
drinking, and low conversation, he found in Melusina von
Schulemberg an ideal mate.
Pages:
269
270
271
272
273
274
275
276
277
278
279
280
281
282
283
284
285
286
287
288
289
290
291
292
293