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 on to blows; (3) and when some one asked her what she understood perfect love to be, she made answer, “I call perfect lovers those who seek some perfection in the object of their love, be it beauty, kindness, or good grace, tending to virtue, and who have such high and honest hearts that they will not even for fear of death do base things that honour and conscience blame.”

     1 Lettres de Marguerite, &c, p. 251.

     2 Epilogue of Tale xxxvii.