Cécile: Gates of Gold

Nightfall at Versailles

Four days later, Princess Marie-Adélaïde is still not better. She’s been bled several times, given My Lady Kent powder, and placed in warm baths. Finally, the priest gives her last rites.

She’s placed into her bed, where the public can come through to see her one last time. Cécile cannot imagine what it would be like to be a Princess. Giving birth to her children in front of an audience, and then dying in front of an audience, too. Eventually, Cécile must leave to get back to the dogs.

That night, the word spreads through the palace: the Princess has died. Madame and Cécile pack their bags to leave for Marly the next morning.

They stand waiting for the carriages the next morning. They all see the King, grief stricken over the loss of the Princess. She brought him such joy, and now she is gone. Madame tells Cécile that she reminds her of the Princess, for she has the same spring in her step. The Princess, after all, was only twelve when she came to Versailles, and was married at fourteen.

At Marly, Cécile patiently reads Madame’s letters, which are now filled with grief as she tells everybody about the Princess. Madame blames the court’s doctors for killing the Princess. Cécile wonders if her father were there, if the Princess still would’ve died.

And then one day, Cécile reads the worst letter yet. The Prince has died as well. Madame writes that this is a horrible loss for the entire kingdom, as the Prince was virtuous and just. He was charitable, good, and never harmed anybody. The sadness at Marly is indescribable.