She knew her own mind, and she knew his.

Once his wife, she could hold him to good, and keep every evil influence away from him.

She was sure of it.

She should be no weak Maria Theresa, but rather, as the priest had said, a new Jeanne d'Arc, come to lead France and France's king into better ways.

And if, to gain this aim, she had to harden her heart against the Huguenots, at least the fault, if there were one, lay with those who made this condition rather than with herself.