The Princess of Montpensier's Intimate Journal: A Tale of Love and Ambition

Extract

[...] A few days later, while I was out for a boat ride, I ran into the Duke of Guise and the Duke of Anjou who had gotten lost in the forest. I felt a certain emotion when I saw the Duke of Guise, but I owe an unshakeable fidelity to my husband. We had a pleasant evening dining together, but I could sense a furious jealousy from my husband. The Duke of Guise made sure to tell me that he was still just as in love with me. [...]

[...] The Count had to leave the castle as a result of this event. I feel increasingly unwell at the moment. I feel an enormous sadness in learning of the death of the admirable Count of Chabannes. The Duke of Guise seems to have forgotten me and never takes my news again. I know that he now has an affair with the Marquise de Noirmoutiers and this desolates me. What regret I have for having made so many sacrifices for a fickle and ambitious man who cannot experience what is true love. [...]

[...] He gave a magnificent masked ball for the occasion. Unfortunately, I made the mistake of speaking to the Duke of Anjou when it was actually the Duke of Guise. The Duke of Anjou revealed to me that he was cheating on me with his sister. He showed me the true face of the Duke of Guise, it's a man who is only capable of ambition. In the end, Queen Margot did not marry the Duke of Guise, but rather Henri IV. [...]

[...] The Princess of Montpensier - Madame de La Fayette (1662) - The Princess's Intimate Journal We are in autumn 1567, the peace between Catholics and Huguenots has lasted for nearly a year, but the war has just resumed with the suddenness of a poorly extinguished brushfire. I feel very much in love with the Duke of Guise. Unfortunately, I was not able to marry him and it is with Monsieur de Montpensier that I will taste the joys of this union. [...]

[...] At the moment, the Duke of Guise and I are exchanging many letters. I feel my passion for him growing day by day. I have given him an appointment for the next evening, I am waiting for his arrival with impatience. I was able to find him as planned. I still find him seductive and my love for him is immense. It's with the Duke of Guise that I truly feel my heart beating, while the love that the marriage with my husband is just a marriage of reason. [...]