Chapters 12 and 13 Summary and Analysis

In late 1775, the Comtesse d'Artois, the wife of Louis XVI's youngest brother, Artois, became pregnant. It was painful for Antoinette, Erickson writes, as she had not yet become pregnant herself. She persisted in trying to persuade the reluctant king to have the operation needed to treat his sexual dysfunction, but the king resisted.

Rumors began to spread that as the king was apparently not giving Antoinette the proper attention, she had taken Artois his brother as her lover. They were often seen together, and the handsome young Artois often treated his older brother derisively, adding fuel to the talk that he was flaunting his affair. Erickson does not give these rumors any credence, however.

The extravagant spending continued unchecked at the French court. Antoinette developed a passion for diamonds and expensive jewelry, clothes and elaborate hairstyles. The king did...