Mademoiselle de Chartres answered the Queen, that these
melancholy presages were so ill-grounded, that they would not
disturb her long, and that she ought not to doubt but her good
fortune would accomplish whatever it promised.

No one now entertained any further thoughts of Mademoiselle de
Chartres, either fearing to incur the King's displeasure, or
despairing to succeed with a lady, who aspired to an alliance
with a Prince of the blood. The Prince of Cleves alone was not
disheartened at either of these considerations; the death of the
Duke of Nevers his father, which happened at that time, set him
at entire liberty to follow his inclination, and no sooner was
the time of mourning expired, but he wholly applied himself to
the gaining of Mademoiselle de Chartres. It was lucky for him
that he addressed her at a time when what had happened had
discouraged the approaches of others. What allayed his joy was
his fear of not being the most agreeable to her, and he would
have preferred the happiness of pleasing to the certainty of
marrying her without being beloved.

The Chevalier de Guise had given him some jealousy, but as it was
rather grounded on the merit of that Prince than on any action of
Mademoiselle de Chartres, he made it his whole endeavour to
discover, if he was so happy as to have his addresses admitted
and approved: he had no opportunity of seeing her but at Court or
public assemblies, so that it was very difficult for him to get a
private conversation with her; at last he found means to do it,
and informed her of his intention and of his love, with all the
respect imaginable. He urged her to acquaint him what the