Page:A Biographical Dictionary of the Celebrated Women of Every Age and Country (1804).djvu/293

Rh years, till it was taken from them by the Saracens.

was an only daughter, and received a most careful education, being habituated to study from her early youth, and inured to close application, which neither injured her health or her beauty. During the absence of her second husband, who was successively ambassador in England, Germany, and Poland, she left her studies, to replace him near the throne, and to prevent his enemies having the ear of the king to his disadvantage. In all foreign affairs she was consulted as the only person at court who knew the languages. Afterwards, when her husband was in Italy, the marquis de Belle-Isle, her son, was gained over by the leaguers, and resolved to seize his father's estate. To prevent him, she assembled soldiers, and put herself at their head; which defeated the project, and maintained her vassals in obedience to their king. Henry IV. who knew how to appreciate worth, honoured the duchess with praises, and loaded her with favours. Nobody was more happy than herself—surrounded by a numerous family, and the object of general esteem and admiration. She survived her husband but a few months.

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