‘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 established 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.