amorous disposition, the number of his intrigues was no less
remarkable than the rank of those who shared them. Most notable
amongst his conquests was the king's eldest sister, widow of the
Prince of Orange--a lady possessing in no small degree natural
affections for which her illustrious family were notorious.
During the exile of Charles II., Henry Jermyn had made a
considerable figure at her court in Holland by reason of the
splendour of his equipage, entirely supported by his uncle's
wealth; he had likewise made a forcible impression on her heart
by virtue of the ardour of his addresses, wholly sustained by his
own effrontery. The effect of his presence on the princess soon
became visible to the court. Rumour whispered that as Lord St.
Albans had already made an alliance with royalty, his nephew had
likewise followed his example; but scandal declared that young
Jermyn and the princess had omitted the ceremony which should
have sanctioned their happiness. The reputation of such an amour
gained him the immediate attention of many women, whose interest
in his character increased with the knowledge of his abilities,
and helped to associate him in their memories with tenderest
emotions.

Another figure prominent in this gay and goodly assembly was
George Villiers, second Duke of Buckingham. The faultless beauty
of his face, and graceful symmetry of his figure, would have
rendered him distinguished in a court less sensuously
impressionable to physical perfection, even if his talents had
not dazzled, and his wit amused. On the death of the first Duke
of Buckingham, "styled the handsomest bodied man in England," the
late king of pious memory undertook the charge of the young duke,
and had him educated with his own sons. Subsequently he was sent