reinforcements from her, or at least the assurance of
forgiveness, which Louis XIV. granted with difficulty, and
after an interval. Anne, from this habit of peaceable
intervention, succeeded in arranging the disputes of her
sons, and in sharing, at the same time, all their secrets.
The king, somewhat jealous of that maternal solicitude which
was bestowed particularly upon his brother, felt disposed to
show towards Anne of Austria more submission and attachment
than his character really dictated. Anne of Austria had
adopted this line of conduct especially towards the young
queen. In this manner she ruled with almost despotic sway
over the royal household, and she was already preparing her
batteries to govern with the same absolute authority the
household of her second son. Anne experienced almost a
feeling of pride whenever she saw any one enter her
apartment with woe-begone looks, pale cheeks, or red eyes,
gathering from appearances that assistance was required
either by the weakest or the most rebellious. She was
writing, we have said, when Monsieur entered her oratory,
not with red eyes or pale cheeks, but restless, out of
temper, and annoyed. With an absent air he kissed his
mother’s hands, and sat himself down before receiving her
permission to do so. Considering the strict rules of
etiquette established at the court of Anne of Austria, this
forgetfulness of customary civilities was a sign of
preoccupation, especially on Philip’s part, who, of his own
accord, observed a respect towards her of a somewhat
exaggerated character. If, therefore, he so notoriously
failed in this regard, there must be a serious cause for it.
Page 542
Dumas, Alexandre – Ten Years Later
“What is the matter, Philip?” inquired Anne of Austria,
turning towards her son.
“A good many things,” murmured the prince, in a doleful tone
of voice.
“You look like a man who has a great deal to do,” said the
queen, laying down her pen. Philip frowned, but did not
reply. “Among the various subjects which occupy your mind,”
said Anne of Austria, “there must surely be one that absorbs
it more than others.”
“One indeed has occupied me more than any other.”
“Well, what is it? I am listening.”
Philip opened his mouth as if to express all the troubles
his mind was filled with, and which he seemed to be waiting
only for an opportunity of declaring. But he suddenly became
silent, and a sigh alone expressed all that his heart was
overflowing with.
“Come, Philip, show a little firmness,” said the
queen-mother. “When one has to complain of anything, it is
generally an individual who is the cause of it. Am I not
right?”
“I do not say no, madame.”
“Whom do you wish to speak about? Come, take courage.”
“In fact, madame, what I might possibly have to say must be
kept a profound secret; for when a lady is in the case —-
”
“Ah! you are speaking of Madame, then?” inquired the
queen-mother, with a feeling of the liveliest curiosity.
“Yes.”
“Well, then, if you wish to speak of Madame, do not hesitate
to do so. I am your mother, and she is no more than a
stranger to me. Yet, as she is my daughter-in-law, rest
assured I shall be interested, even were it for your own
sake alone, in hearing all you may have to say about her.”
“Pray tell me, madame, in your turn, whether you have not
remarked something?”
“`Something’! Philip? Your words almost frighten me, from
their want of meaning. What do you mean by `something’?”
“Madame is pretty, certainly.”
“No doubt of it.”
“Yet not altogether beautiful.”
“No, but as she grows older, she will probably become
strikingly beautiful. You must have remarked the change
which a few years have already made in her. Her beauty will
improve more and more; she is now only sixteen years of age.
At fifteen I was, myself, very thin; but even as she is at
present, Madame is very pretty.”
Page 543
Dumas, Alexandre – Ten Years Later
“And consequently others have remarked it.”
“Undoubtedly, for a woman of ordinary rank is noticed — and
with still greater reason a princess.”
“She has been well brought up, I suppose?”