Louis XIV and La Grande Mademoiselle, 1652-1693Barine, Arvède
History
Louis XIV and La Grande Mademoiselle, 1652-1693
Barine, Arvède
Louis XIV, King of France, 1638-1715; Montpensier, Anne-Marie-Louise d'Orléans, duchesse de, 1627-1693
The King, however, believed only what pleased him. One evening, after
the play, he led her upon a little terrace and spoke in these terms:
"The past must be forgotten. Be persuaded that you will receive all good
treatment from me in the future, and that I am contemplating your
establishment. Naturally, M. de Savoie is a better match than formerly;
his mother is dead. He will recognise the difference between your sister
and yourself. Thus you will be very happy and I shall work seriously to
accomplish this." The King's discourse was followed by an exchange of
effusions. "We embraced each other, my cousin and I," said the King in
reappearing before his Court, and the signal word was at once
comprehended.
The Grande Mademoiselle passed an almost triumphal week at Fontainebleau.
The repose of provincial life was hard to bear in comparison. The King,
the ministers, and the ambassadors all worked for the marriage. There
was nothing to do but to leave them to act. Mademoiselle wished to aid.
To commence she undertook to reduce to silence the old Madame, who was
outraged by her eagerness to replace her younger sister.
Dissatisfactions grew into quarrels and Louis XIV. was forced to
intervene, and to silence all these women. He wrote to Mademoiselle:
TO MY COUSIN
MY COUSIN:
I cannot prevent my aunt's people from talking, but I hardly
believe that she would say that I have promised her protection
against you.
I love you and consider you, as much as the most pressing
desires which pass through your brain are capable of inspiring
me, and assuredly it is my intention to give you pleasure in
every degree possible. I only avow that you can do much on your
part in facilitating things a little; this is my only request,
and having nothing to add to so sincere an explanation of my
sentiments, I finish this letter, praying God, etc.
Written at Fontainebleau, July 12, 1664.
Signed: Louis.[167]
It was beyond the strength of Mademoiselle to abstain from interference.
Her anxiety to be the fly on the wheel drew upon her a new letter from
the King. The tone is that of a very impatient man.
TO MY COUSIN
MY COUSIN:
I see clearly by your last letter that you are not accurately
informed of what is passing in Piedmont; for I have been
obliged to be very badly satisfied with my ambassador, in that
he has executed my orders with so much warmth that the Duc de
Savoie complains through his despatches to Count Carrocio of
apparently being forced into an action which should be the
freest, even to the smallest particular. Judge by this fact if
the conduct proposed and suggested to you is wise?
I perceive even malice in those who give you such advice; for
their desire is to put you in such a state of mind that if the
affair fail it is I who am to blame.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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