During Mr. Wycherley’s surprize, the chariots drove different ways, they were soon at a considerable distance from each other; when Mr. Wycherley recollecting, ordered his coachman to drive back, and overtake the lady.  As soon as he got over against her, he said to her, “Madam, you was pleased to bestow a title upon me, which generally belongs to the fortunate.  Will your ladyship be at the play to night?  Well, she replied, what if I should be there?  Why then, answered he, I will be there to wait on your ladyship, though I disappoint a fine woman, who has made me an assignation.  So, said she, you are sure to disappoint a woman who has favoured you, for one who has not.  Yes, he replied, if she who has not favoured me is the finer woman of the two:  But he who will be constant to your ladyship, till he can find a finer woman, is sure to die your captive.”

The duchess of Cleveland, in consequence of Mr. Wycherley’s compliment, was that night, in the first row of the king’s box in Drury-Lane, and Mr. Wycherley in the pit under her, where he entertained her during the whole play; and this was the beginning of a correspondence between these two persons, which afterwards made a great noise in the town.

This accident, was the occasion of bringing Mr. Wycherley into favour with George duke of Buckingham, who was passionately in love with that lady, but was ill-treated by her, and who believed that Mr. Wycherley was his happy rival.  The duke had long sollicited her, without obtaining any favour:  Whether the relation between them shocked her, for she was his cousin-german; or, whether she apprehended that an intrigue with a person of his rank and character, must necessarily in a short time come to the king’s ears; whatever was the cause, she refused so long to admit his visits, that at last indignation, rage, and disdain took place of love; and he resolved to ruin her.  When he took this resolution, he had her so narrowly watched by his spies, that he soon discovered those whom he had reason to believe were his rivals; and after he knew them, he never failed to name them aloud, in order to expose the lady to all those who visited her; and among others, he never failed to mention Mr. Wycherley.  As soon as it came to the knowledge of the latter, who had all his expectations from court, he apprehended the consequences of such a report, if it should reach the King; and applied himself therefore to Wilmot earl of Rochester, and Sir Charles Sedley, entreating them to remonstrate to the duke of Buckingham, the mischief he was about to do to one who had not the honour to know him, and who had not offended him.  Upon opening the matter to the duke, he cried out immediately, that he did not blame Wycherley, he only accused his cousin.  ’Ay, but they replied, by rendering him suspected of such an intrigue, you are about to ruin him; that is, your grace is about to ruin a man, whose conversation you would be pleased with above all things.’