Page:A Biographical Dictionary of the Celebrated Women of Every Age and Country (1804).djvu/641

Rh parliament, the side her father espoused. It certainly appears a little extraordinary that this princess should join against her sovereign, whose grandmother had taken such tender care of her; but it must be observed, that the queen regent had probably provoked her to this act; she having publickly reproved her negociating a marriage secretly with the archduke; for when the queen was informed of it, she ordered her to appear in the council chamber, and there reprimanded her with great warmth, which did not a little mortify Mademoiselle de Montpensier, who was ready to burst with indignation and resentment. Her pride was too great to submit quietly to such reproaches; besides the disappointment of not following her own inclinations, in a matter where her happiness was concerned. This, perhaps, was the true reason why she sided with the parliament, in opposition to the court. After this, however, she returned to Paris, and from thence to Estampes, where she reviewed the troops both of the parliament and of the prince de Condé, in person, and immediately after gave battle to Marshal Turenne, who commanded the king's party and who gained a considerable victory over the troops of which this heroic princess was at the head. This was a blow which greatly disconcerted and chagrined mademoiselle, who endeavoured to gain the Spaniards over to her interest; and her success in this respect was equal to her wishes; for she once more advanced at the head of 6000 Spaniards, and encamped close to one of the city gates, called la Porte St. Antoine, while the king's troops defended the city. Mademoiselle de Montpensier, at the head of hers, ascended the Bastille, and turning against them their own cannon, which were placed upon the ramparts,