Cécile: Gates of Gold

Rumors of Poison

The next morning, Philippe scratches at Cécile’s door. He tells her that her presence has been requested by Madame de Maintenon. She leashes the dogs, and walks side by side with Philippe to Madame de Maintenon.

When she enters the door, she sees Madame de Maintenon, the King, Madame, Doctor Fagon, and two other doctors. Doctor Fagon approaches Cécile and asks if she recalls a silver snuffbox given to the Princess by Duc de Noailles.

Cécile confirms she did, and she did give it to the Princess, as the Duc de Noailles requested.

Doctor Fagon responds that it’s possible she poisoned the Princess through the snuffbox! Cécile’s eyes widen, and a drip of sweat begins to fall down her back. She exclaims she could never poison the dear Princess.

One of the other doctors, Doctor Maréchal, says it is possible the Prince and Princess died of other illness or fevers, not poison. Doctor Fagon does not agree, and they begin to argue. They both look toward the King to see what he thinks.

Cécile is surprised to see him quietly sobbing. He turns to Cécile, and asks again if she could have possibly poisoned the Princess. Tears well in Cécile’s eyes, and she shakes her head. The King believes her, and responds “For the good of the throne, for the good of France, we will put this behind us.”

All the way back to her chambers, Cécile thinks of the King. Nobody in the palace can hide their sorrows, though not everyone weeps in public, the sadness seeps through the halls like its own fever running rampant.