“You know how much I have desired that you should give your confidence to the Princess des Ursins, and that I forgot nothing that might induce you to do so. However, unmindful of our common interest, she has given herself up to an enmity which I do not comprehend, and has only thought of baffling those who have been charged with our affairs. If she had had a sincere attachment for you, she would have sacrificed all her resentments, well or ill-founded, against the Cardinal d’Estrées, instead of dragging you into them. Persons of your rank ought to keep themselves aloof from private quarrels and conduct themselves with regard to their own interests and those of their subjects, which are always identical. I must therefore recall my ambassador, abandon you to the Princess des Ursins, and leave her solely to govern your realms, or recall that lady herself. That is what I think I ought to do.”
In these truthful and kingly words, the true cause of Louis’ dissatisfaction may be seen, and the marginal note, true or false, in the despatch, appears nothing more than a secondary accident.[31]
The politic monarch, moreover, thought it well to take extreme precaution in timing his blow aright. The moment of the young King being with the army and separated from the Queen was expressly chosen, for fear lest the latter in her despair, might oppose some obstacle, to its execution.
FOOTNOTES:
[26] Saint Simon.
[27] “Elle a des mœurs à l’escarpolette.”
[28] Saint Simon.
[29] 19th March, 1704. Memoirs of Noailles, tom. ii., p. 297.
[30] Letter of May, 23rd, 1704. Geffroy’s Recueil, p. 169.
[31] The affirmation of Madame des Ursins was no doubt true, since in a letter of hers to Orry, dated in 1718, she begs him to present her friendly remembrances to M. d’Aubigny’s wife.