No one now entertained any further thoughts of Mademoiselle de
Chartres, either fearing to incur the King's displeasure, or despairing
to succeed with a lady, who aspired to an alliance with a Prince of the
blood. The Prince of Cleves alone was not disheartened at either of
these considerations; the death of the Duke of Nevers his father, which
happened at that time, set him at entire liberty to follow his
inclination, and no sooner was the time of mourning expired, but he
wholly applied himself to the gaining of Mademoiselle de Chartres. It
was lucky for him that he addressed her at a time when what had
happened had discouraged the approaches of others. What allayed his
joy was his fear of not being the most agreeable to her, and he would
have preferred the happiness of pleasing to the certainty of marrying
her without being beloved.
The Chevalier de Guise had given him some jealousy, but as it was
rather grounded on the merit of that Prince than on any action of
Mademoiselle de Chartres, he made it his whole endeavour to discover,
if he was so happy as to have his addresses admitted and approved: he
had no opportunity of seeing her but at Court or public assemblies, so
that it was very difficult for him to get a private conversation with
her; at last he found means to do it, and informed her of his intention
and of his love, with all the respect imaginable. He urged her to
acquaint him what the sentiments were which she had for him, assuring
her, that those which he had for her were of such a nature as would
render him eternally miserable, if she resigned herself wholly up to
the will of her mother.
As Mademoiselle de Chartres had a noble and generous heart, she was
sincerely touched with gratitude for the Prince of Cleves's behaviour;
this gratitude gave a certain sweetness to her words and answers,
sufficient to furnish hopes to a man so desperately enamoured as the
Prince was, so that he flattered himself in some measure that he should
succeed in what he so much wished for.
She gave her mother an account of this conversation; and Madam de
Chartres told her, that the Prince of Cleves had so many good
qualities, and discovered a discretion so much above his years, that if
her inclination led her to marry him, she would consent to it with
pleasure. Mademoiselle de Chartres made answer, that she observed in
him the same good qualities; that she should have less reluctance in
marrying him than any other man, but that she had no particular
affection to his person.