Louis the Well-Beloved Read Online Free PDF Page B

another of the burdens which must be borne by kings. One of the men then spoke: ‘Are all agreed that our King Louis XV is sound in all his members, well nourished and healthy?’
    There was a chorus of ‘Agreed.’
    His hand was then taken by Madame de Ventadour who led him back to the small chamber where he was dressed.
    He quickly forgot the incident; he did not realise that it was but a preliminary to a more significant event.
    Two weeks later Madame de Ventadour sought Philippe of Orléans, in accordance with the formal ceremony which the occasion demanded, and she said to him: ‘Is it your wish, Monseigneur , that I should relinquish the King’s person to you?’
    And to this Orléans replied: ‘That is my wish, Madame.’
    ‘Then I pray you follow me.’
    When Louis saw his uncle he was ready to leap into his arms, but Philippe held up his hand to warn the boy that this was one of those occasions when ceremony must be observed.
    Then Madame de Ventadour said in a voice broken with emotion: ‘Monseigneur , here is my charge who was entrusted to me by King Louis XIV. I have cared for him to the very best of my ability and I now give him to you in perfect health.’
    Philippe sank to his knees then, while Louis looked in bewilderment from his uncle to his dear Maman Ventadour.
    ‘Sire,’ said Philippe. ‘I hope you will never forget all that this lady has done for you. When you were very little she saved your life, and since then she has cared for you as devotedly as though she were your mother.’
    Louis nodded. He was searching for words to ask what this meant, but he could not find them. A strange feeling in the pit of his stomach warned him that he was very frightened.
    At that moment three men entered the room; one was the Duc du Maine whom he called uncle and of whom he was fond; the others were the Duc de Villeroi and André Hercule de Fleury.
    ‘Sire,’ said Philippe, ‘you are no longer a child and must devote yourself to serious matters; you must begin to prepare yourself for your great destiny. To help you in this, here are the Duc de Maine who will superintend your education, Monsieur de Fleury, Bishop of Fréjus, who will be your tutor, and the Duc de Villeroi who will be your Governor.’
    Louis looked at the three men stonily. ‘And Maman Ventadour?’ he asked.
    ‘Sire, she will always be your friend, but you will cease to live with her and will have your own household.’
    Louis stamped his foot. ‘I want Maman Ventadour,’ he cried.
    Madame de Ventadour knelt beside him and embraced him; she felt herself held in a firm, hot clasp. ‘Listen, my dearest,’ she said, ‘it is merely that you will have your own household. I shall come to see you.’
    ‘But I do not want them,’ he whispered. ‘I want you, Maman .’
    The three men were trying not to look at him; Philippe went on as though the King had not spoken. ‘ Messieurs , this is a sacred charge. I trust you will consider it before aught else. It will be necessary for you to bestow every care and all the affection of which you are capable upon our King.’
    ‘We swear to do this,’ said the three together, as the King turned his face away from Madame de Ventadour momentarily to scowl at them.
    Madame de Ventadour rose. She took Louis by the hand and pulled him towards the men. Villeroi put out a hand to take the King’s but Louis had gripped Madame de Ventadour’s skirt and had nothing but frowns for his new Governor.
    Madame de Ventadour said: ‘Now, my dearest, I must go and leave you with your new guardians.’
    She withdrew her skirt from his grip, but with a loud sob he flung himself into her arms and cried: ‘Do not go, Maman . Do not let them take me away from you.’
    Over his head, she looked at the three men. ‘In time he will understand,’ she said.
    So they nodded and left her alone with the sobbing child.
    He would not eat. Every now and then a sob shook the small body. Madame de Ventadour tried to soothe him