Abundance: A Novel of Marie Antoinette (P.S.) by Sena Jeter Naslund Page B

insistent questions she found to be worse than ever. Madame, my dear daughter for whom I pray every day, must recall that you are now developing your shape. If you send me your measurement, I will have proper corsets made here for you. I believe those made in Paris are too stiff. I will send new corsets by courier…And the princess reports you are badly dressed, sometimes your clothes are awry, as though you have been romping in an unseemly fashion, and because all eyes are upon you, I have also received other news that your waist is misshapen and that your right shoulder is out of alignment.
    Now that you are fifteen, your body will change rapidly. You must always show the Dauphin good cheer. More caresses, my dear, more caresses!
    You have blessed my life. For fifteen years, my dear daughter has given me nothing but satisfaction. Mercy writes to me that on the morning of my birthday, you celebrated the day on your knees, in prayer, and I am deeply affected by your charming thought and good action which was the very best way to celebrate my birthday and the way that can only please me most. I was surprised that in your letters you yourself did not mention this sweet remembrance of me. I kiss you with all maternal tenderness and bless you, my dear daughter.
    Mercy’s reports always praise you and say that you have every attribute of docility and sweetness which will make all people love you, especially the King and the Dauphin, who so much enjoys your company. You must always follow Mercy’s advice, all of which is entirely for your own good, as is that of your faithful mother. But you must follow the advice of your new royal family, that is, of your virtuous aunts a little less closely and never express anything but neutrality to Mme. du Barry, certainly nothing negative. The royal French family do not appear to advantage in public; they do not know how to have fun in a proper way; their manners have done nothing but drive the King away and speed him down the path of straying because he does not find them entertaining or amusing, and therefore he must look for amusement elsewhere.
    Do not withdraw from holding court but invite the great world in. You must set the tone at Versailles, and so far you have succeeded to perfection. Remember that God has given you so many graces, special sweetness, and docility that you can play your role in a way that is sure to please. Always greet the King with enthusiasm and a willingness to oblige any line of conversation or diversion in which he appears interested. Do not be influenced by the approval of Mesdames in unpleasantness toward or negligence of those whom the King favors and certainly it is not your place to try to influence or mold His Royal Highness, from whom all favors and blessings flow. You must follow your own heart in its kind and pleasing impulses toward any person who is so fortunate as to be in your presence.
    I am very eager to have before me a new painting of you, carefully dressed in appropriate court attire, not in a negligee or dressed as a man, but appearing as one who occupies the place that you do occupy. I kiss you.
    You know that I am always
your faithful Mother
     

H UNTING AT C OMPIÈGNE
     
    The King, the Dauphin, and I make merry as our coach rolls through the deep forest, full of game. The postilion shouts that a stag is jumping across the road ahead, and we all stick our heads out the left window to watch him crashing through the brush of the woods to escape. His tail is held high, like a stiff flag, and his dainty heels flick up at us.
    Then we realize that our heads are lined up, one above the other, the King on top, and under him the Dauphin, and then me, and we all giggle at ourselves, and the Dauphin seems happy and relaxed, and the King looks at me most fondly.
    “Madame la Dauphine,” he says, “must assure me again that she is in no danger riding to the hounds, for how should I ever face the Empress your mother if a mishap were to befall so