Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1913 edition. Excerpt: ... Henrietta of Orleans: The Palais Royal and its salon: Delights of Fontainebleau: Olympe Mancini: The rise of La Valliere: Philip's jealousy: Madame de La Fayette: Philip's ignoble friends: The Count de Guiche: The Marquis de Vardes: The plot of the forged letter: Hen- rietta is entangled: Death of De Guiche: Disgrace of Vardes. "HE is of a middle and graceful stature," wrote an enthusiastic contemporary. "Her complexion, without the help of art, is white and red, surpassing all that can be imitated. The features of her face are regular and delicate beyond parallel. Her mouth is little and plump, encompassed with vermilion lips. Her teeth well-set, and of the colour of pearl. The beauty of her eyes is not to be expressed. They are blue, sparkling, and languishing. To match these, her hair is of a light ash colour, the fairest in the world. Her neck, hands, and arms, are of a whiteness surpassing all others. As young as she is, she hath a vast and penetrating wit. . . ." This is the language of hyperbole. But it was not far from the truth. The young Duchess of Orleans had a fascinating individuality as well as an enchanting face. The Abbe de Choisy enumerated her charms with the same almost overpowering eulogy. He called her eyes black instead of blue, and was not wholly incorrect. Anatole France explains that "LA BELLE HENRIETTE" 119 blue eyes--especially the most exquisite, those of sapphire--appear black when the pupils are dilated. The Abbe added that they were lively and full of contagious fire. "Men could not look at them fixedly without feeling the effect. She herself seemed touched at the desire of those who looked into her eyes. Never was there so moving a princess." Madame de Motteville did not contradict the general...
