CHAPTER XII
THE POPISH PLOT
IN the autumn of 1677 the Court was enlivened by a royal wedding. William, Prince of Orange, had been chosen as a husband for Princess Mary, the eldest daughter of the Duke of York, in spite of the strong dislike felt to the marriage by France and her agents. The English people were enchanted with the alliance, which seemed to secure them a future Protestant sovereign, and though neither Charles nor the Duke of York liked the arrangement, they were forced to give in to it. The Duchess of Portsmouth and the duchesse Mazarin had become friendly under the management of Courtin, and had been seen together in the Duchess of Portsmouth's coach and dining in her apartments. She was perhaps glad to secure the notice of so noted a member of French society. Those of the old English nobility who still refused to frequent the rowdy Court never extended to her their recognition. She once sent a message to the Duchess of Ormonde that she would dine with her the next day. The Duchess was unable to refuse what was equivalent to a royal command, but she sent her two daughters out of the house, and only the family chaplain was present to meet the Duchess of Portsmouth at dinner.
The festivities of the marriage were gay and
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