Memoirs of Marguerite de Valois, the — Volume 1 [Court memoir series] eBook
consort of Henry IV, King of France Queen Marguerite
My mother, perceiving my intention, addressed me in
these words: “My child, you are giving
yourself unnecessary trouble in dressing to go abroad.
Do not be alarmed at what I am going to tell you.
Your own good sense will dictate to you that you
ought not to be surprised if the King resents the
conduct of your brother and husband, and as he knows
the love and friendship that exist between you three,
should suppose that you were privy to their design
of leaving the Court. He has, for this reason,
resolved to detain you in it, as a hostage for them.
He is sensible how much you are beloved by your husband,
and thinks he can hold no pledge that is more dear
to him. On this account it is that the King has
ordered his guards to be placed, with directions not
to suffer you to leave your apartments. He has
done this with the advice of his counsellors, by whom
it was suggested that, if you had your free liberty,
you might be induced to advise your brother and husband
of their deliberations. I beg you will not be
offended with these measures, which, if it so please
God, may not be of long continuance. I beg,
moreover, you will not be displeased with me if I do
not pay you frequent visits, as I should be unwilling
to create any suspicions in the King’s mind.
However, you may rest assured that I shall prevent
any further steps from being taken that may prove
disagreeable to you, and that I shall use my utmost
endeavours to bring about a reconciliation betwixt
your brothers.”
I represented to her, in reply, the great indignity
that was offered to me by putting me under arrest;
that it was true my brother had all along communicated
to me the just cause he had to be dissatisfied, but
that, with respect to the King my husband, from the
time Torigni was taken from me we had not spoken to
each other; neither had he visited me during my indisposition,
nor did he even take leave of me when he left Court.
“This,” says she, “is nothing at
all; it is merely a trifling difference betwixt man
and wife, which a few sweet words, conveyed in a letter,
will set to rights. When, by such means, he
has regained your affections, he has only to write
to you to come to him, and you will set off at the
very first opportunity. Now, this is what the
King my son wishes to prevent.”
LETTER XII.
The Peace of Sens betwixt Henri III. and the Huguenots.
The Queen my mother left me, saying these words.
For my part, I remained a close prisoner, without
a visit from a single person, none of my most intimate
friends daring to come near me, through the apprehension
that such a step might prove injurious to their interests.
Thus it is ever in Courts. Adversity is solitary,
while prosperity dwells in a crowd; the object of
persecution being sure to be shunned by his nearest
friends and dearest connections. The brave Grillon
was the only one who ventured to visit me, at the
hazard of incurring disgrace. He came five or
six times to see me, and my guards were so much astonished
at his resolution, and awed by his presence, that
not a single Cerberus of them all would venture to
refuse him entrance to my apartments.
