the other end of the gallery; 'Well,' says she, 'after
having considered thoroughly of this matter, have you nothing to say to
me, and as to my manner of treating you, does not it deserve that you
should deal sincerely with me?' 'It is, Madam,' answered I, 'because I
deal sincerely, that I have nothing more to say, and I swear to your
Majesty with all the respect I owe you, that I have no engagement with
any woman of the Court.' 'I will believe it,' replied the Queen,
'because I wish it; and I wish it, because I desire to have you
entirely mine, and because it would be impossible for me to be
satisfied with your friendship, if you were in love; one cannot confide
in those who are; one cannot be secure of their secrecy; they are too
much divided, and their mistresses have always the first place in their
thoughts, which does not suit at all with the manner in which I would
have you live with me: remember then, it is upon your giving me your
word that you have no engagement, that I choose you for my confidant;
remember, I insist on having you entirely to myself, and that you shall
have no friend of either sex but such as I shall approve, and that you
abandon every care but that of pleasing me; I'll not desire you to
neglect any opportunity for advancing your fortune; I'll conduct your
interests with more application than you can yourself, and whatever I
do for you, I shall think myself more than recompensed, if you answer
my expectations; I make choice of you, to open my heart's griefs to
you, and to have your assistance in softening them; you may imagine
they are not small; I bear in appearance without much concern the
King's engagement with the Duchess of Valentinois, but it is
insupportable to me; she governs the King, she imposes upon him, she
slights me, all my people are at her beck. The Queen, my
daughter-in-law, proud of her beauty, and the authority of her uncles,
pays me no respect. The Constable Montmorency is master of the King and
kingdom; he hates me, and has given proofs of his hatred, which I shall
never forget. The Mareschal de St. Andre is a bold young favourite,
who uses me no better than the others. The detail of my misfortunes
would move your pity; hitherto I have not dared to confide in anybody,
I confide in you, take care that I never repent it, and be my only
consolation.' The Queen blushed, when she had ended this discourse,
and I was so truly touched with the goodness she had expressed to me