The only really well-authenticated love intrigue in which Margaret was
concerned--and in that she played a remarkably virtuous part--was her
adventure with the Admiral de Bonnivet, upon which the fourth story of
the _Heptameron_ is based. (1) She was certainly unfortunate in both her
marriages. Her life with the Duke of Alençon has already been spoken of;
and as regards her second union, although contracted under apparently
favourable auspices, it failed to yield Margaret the happiness she had
hoped for. But four years after its celebration she wrote to the Marshal
de Montmorency: “Since you are with the King of Navarre, I have no fear
but that all will go well, provided you can keep him from falling
in love with the Spanish ladies.” (2) And again: “My nephew, I have
received the letters you wrote to me, by which I have learnt that you
are a much better relation than the King of Navarre is a good husband,
for you alone have given me news of the King (Francis) and of him,
without his being willing to give pleasure to a poor wife, big with
child, by writing a single word to her.” (3)
1 Particulars concerning this adventure will be found in
the notes to Tale iv., and also in the Appendix to the
present volume (C).