Holland itself, encouraged by the prince of Orange and his party, was not displeased to find that the war would be renewed on more equal terms.

The allied army under that prince was approaching towards Mons, then blockaded by France.

A considerable body of English, under the duke of Monmouth, was ready to join him.
Charles usually passed a great part of his time in the women's apartments, particularly those of the duchess of Portsmouth; where, among other gay company, he often met with Barillon, the French ambassador, a man of polite conversation, who was admitted into all the amusements of that inglorious but agreeable monarch.

It was the charms of this sauntering, easy life, which, during his later years, attached Charles to his mistresses.

By the insinuations of Barillon and the duchess of Portsmouth, an order was, in an unguarded hour, procured, which instantly changed the face of affairs in Europe.