The Princesse of Clèves

Grandeur and gallantry never appeared with more lustre in France than in the last years of Henry the Second’s reign. This Prince was amorous and handsome, and though his passion for Diana of Poitiers Duchess de Valentinois was of above twenty years standing, it was not the less violent, nor did he give less distinguishing proofs of it. As he was happily turned to excel in bodily exercises, he took a particular delight in them, such as hunting, tennis, running at the ring, and the like diversions. Madame de Valentinois gave spirit to all entertainments of this sort and appeared at them with grace and beauty equal to that of her granddaughter, Madame de la Marke, who was then unmarried. The Queen’s presence seemed to authorize hers.

The Queen was handsome, though not young; she loved grandeur, magnificence and pleasure; she was married to the King while he was Duc d’Orléans, during the life of his elder brother the Dauphin, a prince whose great qualities promised in him a worthy successor of his father Francis the First.

The Queen’s ambitious temper made her taste the sweets of reigning, and she seemed to bear with perfect ease the King’s passion for the Duchess de Valentinois, nor did she express the least jealousy of it. She was so skilful a dissembler that it was hard to judge of her real sentiments. Policy obliged her to keep the Duchess about her person that she might draw the King to her at the same time. This Prince took great delight in the conversation of women, even of such as he had no passion for, for he was every day at the Queen’s court when she held her assembly, which was a concourse of all that was beautiful and excellent in either sex.