Old Court Life in France, Volume II (of 2)
Реклама. ООО «ЛитРес», ИНН: 7719571260.
Оглавление
Elliot Frances Minto Dickinson. Old Court Life in France, Volume II (of 2)
CHAPTER I. TEMPTED
CHAPTER II. THE KEEPER OF THE ROYAL CONSCIENCE
CHAPTER III. A NOBLE RESOLVE
CHAPTER IV. THE SACRIFICE
CHAPTER V. MONSIEUR LE GRAND
CHAPTER VI. DEATH ON THE SCAFFOLD
CHAPTER VII. THE END OF THE CARDINAL
CHAPTER VIII. THE QUEEN REGENT
CHAPTER IX. THE DUC DE BEAUFORT
CHAPTER X. MIDNIGHT VISITORS
CHAPTER XI. THE TWO DUCHESSES
CHAPTER XII "PUT NOT THY TRUST IN PRINCES."
CHAPTER XIII. CHARLES STUART
CHAPTER XIV. THE LADIES' WAR
CHAPTER XV. MAZARIN PLAYED OUT
CHAPTER XVI. LOUISE DE LA VALLIÈRE
CHAPTER XVII. THE CONVENT OF CHAILLOT
CHAPTER XVIII. FOUQUET, SUPERINTENDENT OF FINANCE
CHAPTER XIX. DEATH AND POISON
CHAPTER XX. AT VERSAILLES
CHAPTER XXI. MADAME DE MONTESPAN
CHAPTER XXII. BROKEN-HEARTED
CHAPTER XXIII. M. DE LAUZUN AND "MADEMOISELLE."
CHAPTER XXIV. A FAIR SUITOR
CHAPTER XXV. UNDER A COUCH
CHAPTER XXVI. SIGNING THE MARRIAGE CONTRACT
CHAPTER XXVII. PLOT AND COUNTERPLOT
CHAPTER XXVIII. THE ROYAL GOVERNESS
CHAPTER XXIX. CONNUBIAL BLISS
CHAPTER XXX. FALL OF DE MONTESPAN
CHAPTER XXXI. QUEEN MAINTENON
CHAPTER XXXII. AT MARLY
CHAPTER XXXIII "THE END."
Отрывок из книги
RICHELIEU, thoroughly exasperated, determined to crush the girl who had dared to brave him. He called to his aid his creature Chavigny. Chavigny was intriguing, acute, and superficial; an admirable tool – for he originated nothing. Years ago he had sold himself to Richelieu, but as he always went out of his way to abuse him, the connection was not suspected. Under the direction of the Cardinal, he had entirely gained the King's confidence. His easy good-nature encouraged the shy Louis to tell him all his secrets, and to consult him in all his difficulties.
Chavigny, who up to this time had attached little importance to the King's inclination for the new maid of honour, looking upon it simply as a passing admiration for an attractive girl, too inexperienced to take advantage of his favour, upon being questioned, informed Richelieu that the King wrote to her daily, and that she replied as often. Richelieu at once resolved on his course of action. He would in future see the correspondence himself. Each letter was to be skilfully unsealed by his secretary, Desmaret, and read, before it was delivered.
.....
"To dedicate a young and pure soul to God," he replied, at length, with evident hesitation, "is truly an acceptable work; but has your Eminence considered that the lady in question is of the most blameless life, and that by her example and influence his Majesty may be kept in that path of obedience and faith which some other attachment might not insure?" As he asked this question Caussin leaned forwards towards Richelieu, speaking earnestly.
"Father Caussin," said the Cardinal, in his hardest manner, and motioning with his hand as though commanding special attention, "we must look in this matter beyond his Majesty's feelings. I have good reason for alarm. A crisis is impending," and he turned again to the papers lying on the table with a significant air. "If Louise de Lafayette has any vocation, let her be advised to encourage it. Consider in what manner you can best bend the King's will to comply. You tell me the lady is a good Catholic; I rejoice to hear it. She comes of a family of heretics. She may be sincere, though I much doubt it. At all events, she must be removed; simply as a matter of precaution, my father, I repeat, she must be removed. Let me beg you to consult the General of your order upon this matter immediately. Understand me, I am advising this simply as a matter of precaution, nothing more." All this time Caussin had listened intently to the Cardinal. The troubled look on his face had deepened into one of infinite sadness. His brow was knit, but there were doubt and hesitation in his manner.
.....