Louis the Well-Beloved Read online

  ‘Good days are coming,’ the people told each other. ‘Give him a little time to be young and in love, let him prolong his honeymoon a little longer; then it will be for him to cast off his mercenary ministers and govern us himself. He is good and kind, and he will understand our sufferings. Long live our little Louis!’

  Louis was not aware of the people; he was only conscious of the charms of his Marie and the delights of requited love.

  Marie’s pleasure was complete when her father came to Fontainebleau for, gay as he had outwardly been, she had always before been conscious of the cloud over his happiness. He would constantly yearn for the throne he had lost. But now, he assured her, nothing on Earth could give him greater joy than to see her the beloved wife of the King.

  He and her mother stayed with Marie for three days at Fontainebleau. Even Catherine was contented. There need no longer be the depressing business of fighting poverty. Were they not father- and mother-in-law to the greatest King in Europe? The splendour of the French Court dazzled them; and to see Marie in the centre of it – not only Queen of France but so loved by the King – made them feel as though they were dreaming and so much sudden good fortune could not possibly be theirs.

  Louis was gracious to them; artlessly he seemed to thank them for having produced one so perfect as his Queen. Instead of the Château de Saint-Germain they were to have the Château de Chambord which he was having refurnished and made ready for them. Meanwhile they would take up their residence at the Château de Bourron.

  Before he left for Bourron, Stanislas and Catherine embraced their daughter with great fervour.

  ‘Do not forget,’ Stanislas said, ‘that it is the Duc de Bourbon who rules France. In no way antagonise him. Remember too all that you owe to Madame de Prie.’

  ‘I can never forget it,’ murmured Marie.

  ‘They are your friends; the King loves you. There is only one thing I need to make my contentment complete. That is a Dauphin for France.’

  And Marie, as astonished by her sudden good fortune as her parents were, had no doubt that, as so much had been granted her, this would not be denied.

  Chapter IV

  MADAME DE PRIE

  AND THE DUC DE BOURBON

  It was during the winter that Louis first took Marie to Marly, that delightful château which Louis XIV had built between Versailles and Saint Germain.

  Marie was delighted with Marly, perhaps because it was so beautiful, set among the woods with its view of the river, perhaps because at that time she was in love with life.

  There was good hunting to be had in the surrounding country and each day the King and his bride rode forth, returning in the evening to cards and other entertainments.

  Always in attendance were the Duc de Bourbon and Madame de Prie. The latter had been installed as the chief of Marie’s ladies-in-waiting; and it became a regular routine that whoever wished to approach the King or Queen could only do so through the good graces of Madame de Prie.

  Had Louis and Marie not been so absorbed in each other they would have noticed that the Queen of the Court was not Marie, but Madame de Prie, who, while she insisted on everyone’s observing the strictest Etiquette, did no such thing herself.

  She would go in and out of the Queen’s apartment without being announced. She advised the Queen not only on what to do but what to wear; and remembering her father’s advice and her own gratitude, Marie willingly accepted these suggestions.

  Recklessly, during those weeks at Marly, Marie gambled at the instigation of the King. It seemed a great joke to him when counting their debts they discovered them to be 200,000 livres.

  ‘200,000 livres!’ cried Marie. ‘Why, it is a fortune. In the days at Wissembourg we could have lived on that for a very long time.’

  That delighted Louis. He proudly told her that she need not now feel the least concerned about losing 200,000 livres. They would play as recklessly tomorrow night just to prove it.

  One day she came upon three of her ladies – the Duchesses d’Epernon, de Beuiune and de Tallard – gossiping together, and noticed that when she approached they grew silent. She was naturally eager to learn all she could about the Court, and these ladies, she believed, could tell her a great deal.

  ‘You must not fall silent when I appear,’ she told them. ‘I like to join in the fun.’

  The ladies tried to look innocent but they failed somehow and, when she insisted on hearing what they had been talking about, they told her that they had discussed the affairs of the Duc de Richelieu who was said to be one of the biggest rakes of all time. He was so very handsome.

  Marie, whose upbringing at Wissembourg had been a very strict one, did not immediately grasp the nature of those adventures in which the Duc de Richelieu had apparently indulged to such a great extent.

  ‘We were talking about the duel which the Marquise de Nesle fought with Madame de Polignac,’ Madame de Tallard eventually explained.

  ‘A duel between ladies!’

  ‘Oh, yes. It was with pistols. You see, they were both desperately in love with the Duc de Richelieu and decided on a duel.’

  ‘How . . . immodest!’ said the Queen.

  The Duchesse d’Epernon murmured. ‘But, Your Majesty, such things happen.’

  ‘I hope we shall never have anything so disgraceful happening at our Court. I shall expect all my ladies to live virtuously and in a way to be an example to all. Tell me, does this immorality exist today . . . here?’ Marie pursed her lips so that she looked very prim. ‘I must speak to Madame de Prie about it.’

  The Duchesse de Bethune tried hard not to smile but did not quite achieve her intentions, and Marie was shocked into sudden suspicion. Madame de Prie and the Duc de Bourbon were very friendly. They were frequently seen in each other’s company and they did appear to be on terms of the utmost affection.

  Marie said tensely: ‘What is the relationship between the Duc de Bourbon and Madame de Prie?’

  ‘Why, Madame, it is common knowledge that she is his mistress.’

  ‘But . . . Madame de Prie has a husband . . .’

  Her ladies looked at her blankly.

  Marie realised that there were doubtless a great many things going on at this brilliant Court of which she was in ignorance.

  She was deeply shocked. Her first impulse was to send for Madame de Prie, to tell her that this disgraceful association must cease. But this concerned the Duc de Bourbon, First Minister of France, and Madamce de Prie whose power had put Marie where she was.

  Marie understood then that it was necessary to adjust her principles. The relationship between those two powerful people was something she must accept, disapprove of it though she so heartily did.

  Those were fateful days for Louis and Marie. Their lives lay before them and to each Fate offered at the time a choice of two ways. To each was given the opportunity to mould the destiny of France; each was too young, too inexperienced – in Louis’ case too lazy, in Marie’s case too unimaginative – to choose the path which would have led to glory.

  Louis was beloved by his people. His handsome looks had won their hearts: his perfect manners enchanted them. His people looked to him to bring prosperity to the country and, because he was young and had won their affection, they did not ask of him impossibilities. They were ready to be patient. All they asked of him was that, when he was old enough to rule, he would rule them well. They asked for his consideration of their sufferings; they asked that he should use his undoubted talents to serve them.

  Louis, enthralled by being a husband, eager to indulge his pleasures such as hunting and gambling, and having always relied on his governors and tutors to do the serious business of the State, was eager to escape from the people and enjoy his life. This they would forgive while he was young, but already he was growing towards an age of responsibility.

  As for Marie, Louis was in love with her and ready to be guided by her. At this time, when she could give him the sexual satisfaction he desired, she could have estab
lished herself as his confidante and adviser for all time. It was true that a man of such insatiable desire as Louis was already showing signs of becoming, could not be content with one woman; an experienced woman of the world would have realised this and consolidated her position while she had an opportunity of doing so.

  Marie, being ill-advised by her parents, misjudged not only her husband’s character and her own possibilities but the true quality of the men who sought to govern the King.

  She believed in the shrewd cleverness of the Duc de Bourbon and bowed to his wishes and those of his mistress in every way; while she completely ignored the man for whom Louis had the greatest regard and affection, the man who the King, if not the Queen, was clever enough to see had a deeper grasp of affairs and a more altruistic attitude towards the state: Fleury the Bishop of Fréjus.

  Marie knew that the Duc de Bourbon and his henchman, Pâris-Duverney, together with Madame de Prie, were seeking an opportunity to oust Fleury from his position because it was clear that he was endeavouring more and more to influence the King. For instance, it was impossible to speak to Louis alone on state matters for Fleury always made it his duty to be present.

  Madame de Prie pointed out to the Queen that the King was now a husband and old enough to do without the continual attendance of his tutor. Marie declared that she believed Louis had a great affection as well as respect for Monsieur de Fleury.

  Madame de Prie said: ‘His Majesty will form a habit. Monsieur de Fleury belongs to the days of his boyhood. And out of the kindness of his heart he lets him remain.’

  ‘The King has a kind and loyal heart,’ mused Marie complacently, for such a quality in the King gave her great contentment.

  When she was next alone with the King, she discussed his Ministers with him and suddenly said: ‘Louis, how do you like Monsieur de Fleury?’

  ‘Very much,’ answered the King.

  ‘And the Duc de Bourbon?’

  ‘Oh . . .’ Louis shrugged his shoulders. ‘Enough.’

  His tones when he spoke of the two men were so different that Marie should have recognised the wisdom of strengthening her friendship with the tutor, even if this did mean irritating the Duc de Bourbon and his mistress. But Marie had learned no diplomacy in the home of her exiled father and had little understanding of the importance of insinuation and innuendo such as that which flourished at the stylised Court of France.

  Madame de Prie conceived a plan which was to result in the expulsion of Fleury from Court.

  ‘For,’ she said to her lover, ‘he obstructs you in every way and it is clear what that fellow is after. He is quite cunning. He plans to take your place. I shall not feel happy until Monsieur de Fleury receives his lettre de cachet.’

  ‘How do you plan to remove him? He has the King’s confidence, remember.’

  ‘By means of the Queen.’

  Bourbon smiled. The schemes of his mistress never failed to astonish him.

  ‘You have that letter from the Cardinal de Polignac,’ went on Madame de Prie. ‘which is a direct attack against Fleury. It shows him in a very unflattering light, does it not? And there’s truth in it. The man seeks two things; to get his Cardinal’s hat and rule France. He wants to be another Cardinal Richelieu or Mazarin. That letter should be shown to the King when Fleury is not present to defend himself. You could then discuss Fleury’s ambitions with Louis, make him realise exactly what Fleury is after.’

  ‘But how to see Louis alone without Fleury – that’s the problem.’

  ‘I think,’ said Madame de Prie, ‘that our dear Queen might help us in this. After all, she owes us everything.’

  ‘What do you propose?’

  ‘That the Queen shall ask Louis to come to her apartments, and when he arrives you will be there with the letter. You will hand it to him.’

  ‘What if Fleury should hear of this and attempt to join us? You know he is Louis’ shadow.’

  ‘He will simply be refused admittance to the Queen’s apartment. She is not very fond of him, you know. She will agree readily. Does she not owe it to us?’

  ‘You have genius, my dear.’

  ‘One needs it, mon ami, first to reach a high place at this Court – then to keep it.’

  Louis, having been asked by the Queen to join her in her apartments, was astonished to find the Duc de Bourbon there, and displeasure tinged his astonishment when the Duc brought a paper from his pocket which, he said, he thought the King should read.

  Louis read the accusations against Fleury; they angered him for he believed them to be false, and he felt irritated because he had been lured to accept and read such a document in private. If the Duc de Bourbon had wished to present such a letter to him it should have been in the Council Chamber, when Fleury would have been present to answer any accusations against himself.

  Louis rarely showed anger and he restrained that which he now felt, so he merely folded the paper and handed it back to the Duc de Bourbon.

  ‘Sire,’ said the Duc, ‘may I ask what you think of the sentiments expressed in the letter?’

  ‘Nothing,’ said the King shortly.

  ‘But . . . Sire . . . if these accusations are correct would you not have certain orders to give?’

  Had Madame de Prie been present she would have flashed a warning glance at her lover. The Duc was suggesting that Louis was incapable of making his own decisions and should accept the advice of his ministers, as he had before his coming of age.

  ‘My orders are that matters remain as they are,’ retorted the King.

  Bourbon’s face expressed his concern. Marie’s heart had begun to beat fast with apprehension, for the King had included her in his cold looks.

  ‘Your . . . Your Majesty is displeased . . . and with me?’ murmured Bourbon, unable to prevent himself from learning the worst.

  ‘I am,’ retorted the King.

  ‘Your . . . Your Majesty continues to have the greatest confidence in Monsieur de Fleury?’

  ‘That is so.’

  The Duc was now apprehensive.

  ‘Sire,’ he said, ‘I would give my life to serve you. If I have done aught that is wrong I crave your pardon.’

  Louis hated scenes. They distressed him. He rarely reprimanded anybody; if reprimand there had to be, he arranged that others should give it. He was annoyed that the Queen should have placed him in such a position. But rather than display his irritation with them both he walked quickly towards the door.

  Marie, trembling with fear, put out a hand to touch his arm as he passed her. He pretended not to see it.

  Fleury had friends at Court. There were some shrewd people who realised the affection and respect which this man had aroused in his pupil. The Duc de Bourbon and his flamboyant mistress could not, it was believed, reign supreme for ever; their reign could only last while the King was too young, too inexperienced to recognise their worthlessness.

  Therefore, when Bourbon visited the Queen, and the Queen asked the King to join them, this was immediately made known to Fleury who, knowing the existence of the Polignac letter and guessing Bourbon’s project, made haste to the Queen’s apartment and demanded of her attendants to be taken to her presence.

  ‘Monsieur de Fleury,’ was the answer, ‘the King is with the Queen, and Monsieur le Duc is with them. Orders have been given that no one – not even yourself – is to be admitted.’

  This was an insult which could not be tolerated. If the King had given such orders it was significant that Fleury would never achieve his ambition and become chief minister of France. If on the other hand – which was more likely – this was the result of one of Bourbon’s schemes to undermine the King’s friendship for his tutor behind the latter’s back, then prompt action was necessary.

  Fleury, showing greater astuteness than Bourbon, reckoned that if Bourbon won, he, Fleury, would be sent from Court; therefore he could lose nothing and retain his dignity if he left of his own accord.

  If on the other hand the King refused to listen to
Bourbon’s slander, he would be more infuriated than ever with the Duke should Fleury go away.

  So Fleury went hastily to his apartments and wrote a letter to the King in which he said that as he was locked out of His Majesty’s counsels, there appeared to be no further need for his services. He would therefore retire from Court in order to live in peace with the Sulpicians of Issy. He was leaving immediately to avoid the pain of farewell.

  When this letter was brought to Louis he was dumbfounded. Fleury gone! But how could he conduct his affairs without Fleury? In all matters of importance he had relied upon the tutor.

  He was alarmed. He shut himself into his apartments and wept bitterly. He raged against the Duc de Bourbon and his scheming mistress against the Queen whose folly had made this possible.

  This was the first time he had felt critical towards Marie. Angrily he blamed her now. But for her foolish action in ignoring Court Etiquette, he would not have been lured into this controversy with which he did not know how to deal. He was sixteen years old, lacking in the experience which was so necessary in a situation such as this, and he feared Marie had not only allowed Bourbon to use her in his intrigues but had involved him also.

  ‘Stupid woman!’ he murmured; and he marvelled that he could see her as such – Marie, his Queen who, but a short while ago, had seemed perfect in his eyes.

  The King could not remain locked in his apartments for long. He must make up his mind how to act and, because he was uncertain, he sent for a man whom he had come to trust; this was Monsieur de Mortemart who was First Gentleman of the bedchamber.

  Louis commanded Monsieur de Mortemart to shut the door and send all attendants away as he wished to speak to him concerning a private matter.