266 MEMOIKS OF THE DUKE OF SAINT-SIMOST.

and without traversing the long suite of rooms, filled with,
courtiers, that were between the two apartments. In this
manner it was never known whether the King was alone or
with Madame des TJrsins; or which of the two was in the
apartments of the other. When they were together or how
Jong is equally unknown. This corridor, roofed and glazed,
was proceeded with in so much haste, that the work went on,
in spite of the King's devotion, on fgte days and Sundays. The
whole Court, which perfectly well knew for what use this
corridor was intended, was much displeased. Those who
directed the works were the same. Of this good proof was
given. One day, the Comptroller of the royal buildings, who
had been ordered to keep the men hard at it, Sundays andf^te
days, asked the Pere Robinet, the King's confessor, and the
only good one he ever had; he asked, I say, in one of those
rooms Madame des Ursins was so anxious to avoid, and in the
presence of various courtiers, if the work was to be continued
on the morrow, a Sunday, and the next day, the Fete of the
Virgin. Eobinet replied, that the King had said nothing to
the contrary ; and met a second appeal with the same answer.
At the third, he added, that before saying anything he would
wait till the King spoke on the subject. At the fourth appeal
he lost patience, and said that if for the purpose of destroying
what had been commenced, he believed work might be done
even on Easter-day itself; but if for the purpose of continuing
the corridor, he did not think a Sunday or a fete day was a
fitting time. All the Court applauded; but Madame des Ursins,
to whom this sally was soon carried, was much irritated.

It was suspected that she thought of becoming something
more than the mere companion of the King. There were
several princes. Eeports were spread which appeared equivocal
and which terrified. It was said that the King had no need of
posterity, with all the children it had pleased God to bless him
with; but now he only needed a wife who could take charge
of those children. Not content with passing all her days with
the King, and allowing him, like the deceased Queen, to work
with his ministers only in her presence, the Princesse des TJrsins