“Dreading the punishment for his temerity, this prelate decided that the sceptre should pass into other hands, and that the elder branch should become extinct.  With this end in view, he made me write a pamphlet showing that you and your brother, the Prince, were not the King’s sons; and subsequently he induced me to issue another, in which I affirmed on oath that the Queen, your mother, was secretly married to Cardinal Mazarin.  Unfortunately, these books met with astounding success, nor, though my tears fall freely, can they ever efface such vile pages.

“I am also guilty of another crime, Sire, and this weighs more heavily upon my heart.  When the Queen-mother dexterously arranged for your removal to Vincennes, she left in your bed at the Louvre a large doll.  The rebels were aware of this when it was too late.  I was ordered to ride post-haste with an escort in pursuit of your carriage; and I had to swear by the Holy Gospels that, if I could not bring you back to Paris, I would stab you to the heart.

“The enormity of my offence weighed heavily upon my spirit and my conscience.  I conceived a horror for the Cardinal and withdrew to this convent.  For many years I have undergone the most grievous penances, but I shall never make thorough expiation for my sins, and I hold myself to be as great a criminal as at first, so long as I have not obtained pardon from my King.”

“Are you in holy orders?” asked the King gently.

“No, Sire; I feel unworthy to take them,” replied the Carthusian, in dejected tones.

“Let him be ordained as soon as possible,” said his Majesty to the prior.  “The monk’s keen repentance touches me; his brain is still excitable; it needs fresh air and change.  I will appoint him to a curacy at Saint Domingo, and desire him to leave for that place at the earliest opportunity.  Do not forget this.”

The monk again prostrated himself before the King, overwhelming him with blessings, and these royal commands were in due course executed.  So it came about that Lesueur’s frescos led to startling revelations, and enabled the Carthusians to keep their splendid property intact, ungainly though this was and out of place.

CHAPTER LIX.

Journey to Poitou.—­The Mayor and the Sheriffs of Orleans.—­The
Marquise’s Modesty.—­The Serenade.—­The Abbey of Fontevrault.—­Family
Council.—­Duchomania.—­A Letter to the King.—­The Bishop of
Poitiers.—­The Young Vicar.—­Rather Give Him a Regiment.—­The Fete at the
Convent.—­The Presentation.—­The Revolt.—­A Grand Example.

The Abbess of Fontevrault, who, when a mere nun, could never bear her profession, now loved it with all her heart, doubtless because of the authority and freedom which she possessed, being at liberty to go or come at will, and as absolute mistress of her actions, accountable to no one for these.

She sent me her confidential woman, one of the “travelling sisters” of the community, to tell me privately that the Principality of Talmont was going to be sold, and to offer me her help at this important juncture.