Friday, November 18, 2011

The Queen Intervenes for Prisoners

From Vive la Reine:
Marie Antoinette reigned not only by her grace, but by her goodness.…She obtained a new hearing in the case of Messieurs de Bellagarde and de Moustiers, who had been pursued by the spite of the Duc d’Aiguillon; and when their innocence had been established, the two prisoners, set at liberty, came with their wives and children to thank their benefactress, she replied modestly that justice alone had been done, and that one should congratulate her only on the greatest happiness arising from her position - that of being able to lay before the king just claims.

As a token of gratitude, Madame de Bellegarde had a picture painted in which she was represented with her husband kneeling before the queen … the queen was greatly touched, and placed the picture in her apartment.

-The Life of Marie Antoinette, Volume 1 by Maxime de la Rocheterie
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1 comment:

May said...

Always gracious and loving.