ear the interpretation which other writers have placed
upon it. (3)

1 E. Fournier's _L'Esprit dans l'Histoire_, Paris,
1860, p. 132 _et seq_.

2 _Livre de Depenses de Marguerite d'Angouleme, &c_.
(Introduction).

3 See _Lettres de Marguerite, &c._, p. 246.

The only really well-authenticated love intrigue in which Margaret was
concerned--and in that she played a remarkably virtuous part--was her
adventure with the Admiral de Bonnivet, upon which the fourth story of
the _Heptameron_ is based. (1) She was certainly unfortunate in both her
marriages. Her life with the Duke of Alencon has already been spoken of;
and as regards her second union, although contracted under apparently
favourable auspices, it failed to yield Margaret the happiness she had
hoped for. But four years after its celebration she wrote to the Marshal
de Montmorency: "Since you are with the King of Navarre, I have no fear
but that all will go well, provided you can keep him from falling
in love with the Spanish ladies." (2) And again: "My nephew, I have
received the letters you wrote to me, by which I have learnt that you
are a much better relation than the King of Navarre is a good husband,
for you alone have given me news of the King (Francis) and of him,
without his being willing to give pleasure to a poor wife, big with
child, by writing a single word to her." (3)

1 Particulars concerning this adventure will be found in
the notes to Tale iv., and also in the Appendix to the
present volume (C).

2 _Lettres de Marguerite, &c_., p. 246.

3 _Ibid._, p. 248.

In another letter written to the Marshal at the same period she says:
"If you listen to the King of Navarre, he will make you commit so many
disorders that he will ruin you." (1) Perhaps these words should not
be taken literally; still they furnish cause for reflection when it
is remembered that they were written by a woman just turned forty
concerning her husband who was not yet thirty years old.

Margaret's views upon love and the affinity of souls were somewhat
singular, but they indicate an elevated and generous nature. In several
passages of the _Heptameron_ she has expressed her opinion on these
matters, ardently defending the honour of her sex and condemning
those wives who show themselves indulgent as regards their husbands'
infidelities. (2) She blames those who sow dissension between husbands
and wives, leading them o