Page:Margaret of Angoulême, Queen of Navarre (Robinson 1886).djvu/43

28 her, for comfort, his chaplain, the learned Michel d'Arande:—

",

"Knowing there is but one thing needful, I have recourse to you, to beseech you, in God's name, to deign by prayer to make yourself the means that He may please to lead M. d'Alençon according to His holy will. For, by the King's command, M. d'Alençon departs as lieutenant-general of the army, which, I misdoubt me, will not return without war. And, since peace and victory are in His hand, and thinking that you wish well, not only to the public good of the kingdom, but also to my husband and to me, I employ you in my affairs, and demand of you spiritual service; for I must needs meddle with many things which well may make me afraid. And again, to-morrow my aunt of Nemours leaves us for Savoy. Wherefore I recommend her and myself to you, and pray you, if you think this a fit season, to let Master Michael depart on a journey hither; it would be a consolation, which I only desire for the glory of God, leaving it to your discretion and to his. "La toute vostre, "."

Thus, in this naive, earnest appeal for aid, begins the strange correspondence of Briçonnet and Margaret—a correspondence eight hundred pages long; fantastic, mystical, bewildering, beyond belief. It is difficult to comprehend the consolation which Margaret found in this interchange of metaphors.

"I share my cake with you!" she cries, telling the good bishop of her trouble; and Briçonnet forthwith