L'homme qui rit. English

  IV.

  Queen Anne bore a little grudge to the Duchess Josiana, for two reasons.Firstly, because she thought the Duchess Josiana handsome. Secondly,because she thought the Duchess Josiana's betrothed handsome. Tworeasons for jealousy are sufficient for a woman. One is sufficient for aqueen. Let us add that she bore her a grudge for being her sister. Annedid not like women to be pretty. She considered it against good morals.As for herself, she was ugly. Not from choice, however. A part of herreligion she derived from that ugliness. Josiana, beautiful andphilosophical, was a cause of vexation to the queen. To an ugly queen, apretty duchess is not an agreeable sister.

  There was another grievance, Josiana's "improper" birth. Anne was thedaughter of Anne Hyde, a simple gentlewoman, legitimately, butvexatiously, married by James II. when Duke of York. Anne, having thisinferior blood in her veins, felt herself but half royal, and Josiana,having come into the world quite irregularly, drew closer attention tothe incorrectness, less great, but really existing, in the birth of thequeen. The daughter of _mesalliance_ looked without love upon thedaughter of bastardy, so near her. It was an unpleasant resemblance.Josiana had a right to say to Anne, "My mother was at least as good asyours." At court no one said so, but they evidently thought it. This wasa bore for her royal Majesty. Why this Josiana? What had put it into herhead to be born? What good was a Josiana? Certain relationships aredetrimental. Nevertheless, Anne smiled on Josiana. Perhaps she mighteven have liked her, had she not been her sister.