'
They were accompanied by a very great train of gentlemen. At his going
away, he told me his Lady would suddenly visit me. We had a guard
constantly waited on us, and sentries at the gate below and at the
stairs' head above. We were visited by all the persons of quality in
that town. Our house was richly furnished, both my husband's quarter
and mine; the worst chamber and bed in my apartment being furnished
with damask, in which my chambermaid lay; and throughout all the
chambers the floors were covered with Persia carpets. The richness of
the gilt and silver plate, which we had in great abundance, as we had
likewise of all sorts of very fine household linen, was fit only for
the entertainment of so great a Prince as his Majesty, our Master, in
the representation of whose person my husband received this great
entertainment; yet, I assure you, notwithstanding this temptation,
that your father and myself both wished ourselves in a retired country
life in England, as more agreeable to both our inclinations.
I must not forget here the ceremony the Governor used to my husband.
After supper, the Governor brought the keys of the town to my husband,
saying, 'Whilst your Excellency is here, I am no Governor of this
town, and therefore desire your Excellency, from me your servant, to
receive these keys, and to begin and give the word to the garrison.'
This night my husband, with all the demonstrations of his sense of so
great an honour, returned his Catholic Majesty, by him, his humble
thanks, refusing the keys, and wishing the Governor much prosperity
with them, who so well deserved that honour the King had given him.
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