"
The chancellor brought to the king a copy of this severe letter,
to which I listened with much emotion, nor did the king seem
more calm than myself.
'This is, indeed," said he at length, "a very sad affair; we shall
have all the quarrels of Protestantism renewed, as if I had not
had already enough of those of the Jansenists and Jesuits. As
far as I can judge, M. de Bombelles is entitled to the relief he
seeks, and every marriage contracted with a Protestant is null
and void by the laws of France."
"Oh, sire," cried I, " would I had married a Protestant."
The king smiled for a moment at my jest, then resumed:
"I blame the military school."
"Is it your majesty's pleasure," inquired the chancellor, "that I
should signify your displeasure to them?"
"No, sir," replied Louis, "it does not come within your line of
duty, and devolves rather upon the minister of war; and very
possibly he would object to executing such a commission; for how
could I step forward as the protector of one who would shake off
the moral obligation of an oath directly it suits his inclinations
to doubt its legality? This affair gives me great uneasiness,
and involves the most serious consequences. You will see that I
shall be overwhelmed with petitions and pamphlets, demanding of
me the revocation of the edict of Nantes."
"And what, sire," asked the chancellor gravely, "could you do,
that would better consolidate the glory of your reign?"
"Chancellor," exclaimed Louis XV, stepping back with unfeigned
astonishment, "have you lost your senses? What would the clergy
say or do? The very thought makes me shudder.
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