d, terrible
struggle. The day came when Catherine believed herself for a moment on
the verge of success. In 1554, Diane, who was ill, begged the king to
go to Saint-Germain and leave her for a short time until she recovered.
This stately coquette did not choose to be seen in the midst of medical
appliances and without the splendors of apparel. Catherine arranged, as
a welcome to her husband, a magnificent ballet, in which six beautiful
young girls were to recite a poem in his honor. She chose for this
function Miss Fleming, a relation of her uncle the Duke of Albany, the
handsomest young woman, some say, that was ever seen, white and very
fair; also one of her own relations, Clarice Strozzi, a magnificent
Italian with superb black hair, and hands that were of rare beauty;
Miss Lewiston, maid of honor to Mary Stuart; Mary Stuart herself;
Madame Elizabeth of France (who was afterwards that unfortunate Queen
of Spain); and Madame Claude. Elizabeth and Claude were eight and nine
years old, Mary Stuart twelve; evidently the queen intended to bring
forward Miss Fleming and Clarice Strozzi and present them without rivals
to the king. The king fell in love with Miss Fleming, by whom he had a
natural son, Henri de Valois, Comte d'Angouleme, grand-prior of France.
But the power and influence of Diane were not shaken. Like Madame de
Pompadour with Louis XV., the Duchesse de Valentinois forgave all. But
what sort of love did this attempt show in Catherine? Was it love to her
husband or love of power? Women may decide.

A great deal is said in these days of the license of the press; but it
is difficult to imagine the lengths to which it went when printing was
first invented. We know that Aretino, the Voltaire of his time, made
kings and emperors tremble, more especially Charles V.; but the world
does not know so well the audacity and license of pamphlets. The chateau
de Chenonceaux, which we have just mentioned, was given to Diane, or
rather not given, she was implored to accept it to make her forget one
of the most horrible publications ever levelled against a woman, and
which shows the violence of the warfare between herself and Madame
d'Etampes. In 1537, when she was thirty-eight years of age, a rhymester
of Champagne named Jean Voute, published a collection of Latin verses in
which were three epigrams upon her. It is to be supposed that the poet
was sure of protection in high places, for the pamphlet has a preface in
praise of i