Page:A Biographical Dictionary of the Celebrated Women of Every Age and Country (1804).djvu/642

ramparts, drove back the enemy, and entered Paris. But this victory was not all attributed to the prowess of the victorious princess; it was imagined, that some secret manoeuvres were carried on by certain persons on the enemy's side, who wished to flatter her vanity, and give her the honour of gaining the victory. But in spite of all her success, she was at last obliged to submit, and banished to her estate at St. Fargeau, where she spent some years with much discontent, not only upon account of being disgraced at court, but from some disagreeable circumstances arising between her and her father, on the subject of her mother's property, part of which she was entitled to from the time of her being of age. But this and other matters were at last accommodated to the satisfaction of all parties; and Mademoiselle de Montpensier returned once more to court and was well received. At the age of 44, after refusing many princes, she married Lauzun, a private gentleman, who behaved very unworthily. It is related, that one day being returned from the chase, he called out, "Henrietta Bourbon, come, draw off my boots:" upon her exclaiming on the cruelty of his behaviour to her, he made an effort to strike her with his foot; upon which she once more assumed that authority which her birth intitled her to, and which was so natural to her disposition, and immediately forbade his ever more appearing in her presence. Though she had resolution to discard him, his unworthy conduct seems to have made a deep impression on her heart. Her life, indeed, seems to have been only a scene of mortification and disappointment, belying all the promises which birth, fortune, and connections seemed to promise. However, as misfortunes perhaps are ulti-

mately