The Duke of Damville came to fetch them in a carriage,
and after alighting at Marshal de la Meilleraye's quarters, kind
messages of inquiry were sent them by the Court, even by the King and
Queen. By every one indeed except Mademoiselle, who kept up her
dislike.
My son, who was present, described all to me, and how his blood
boiled at the scornful airs of Mademoiselle and the stiffness of the
Queen. He said, however, that his aunt looked quite like a changed
woman as she entered, leading Maurice in the rear of the other mother
and son.
The poor Princess had been bled the day before, and had her arm in a
scarf, and Mademoiselle actually tittered at the manner in which it
was put on, when this devoted wife was presented to the Queen,
leading her little son.
Falling on her knees before the Queen she made her a really touching
speech, begging her to excuse the attempts of a lady who had the
honour of being married to the first Prince of the blood, when she
strove to break his fetters. 'You see us on our knees, Madame, to
beg for the liberty of what is dearest to us. Grant it to the great
actions the Monsieur mon mari has performed for the glory of your
Majesty, and the life he has ventured so often in the service of the
State, and do not refuse our tears and humble prayers.'
The Queen answered coldly enough. Cecile told me afterwards that it
was like ice, dashing all her hopes, to see the stern, haughty
dignity of Anne of Austria unmoved by the tender, tearful, imploring
form of Claire Clemence de Breze, trembling all over with agitation,
and worn down with all she had attempted.
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