(1) It has been asserted that improper relations existed
between the brother and sister, but this charge rests solely upon
an undated letter from her to Francis, which may be interpreted in a
variety of ways. Count de la Ferriere, in his introduction to Margaret's
record of her expenditure, (2) expresses the opinion that it was penned
in 1525, prior to her hasty departure from Spain; while M. Le Roux de
Lincy assigns it to a later date, remarking that it was probably written
during one of the frequent quarrels which arose between Margaret's
brother and her husband. However, they are both of opinion that the
letter does not bear the interpretation which other writers have placed
upon it. (3)
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.
Pages:
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66