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.




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