January 22, 1554

Tonight I plan to go to Nostradamus’s observatory. I know that the Queen makes night visits to him and with him observes the position of the stars. But the Queen will not be there tonight, as it is raining and the sky is thick with clouds and shall be starless. I cannot go alone for I am always to be accompanied by a guard. But whom to take? Monsieur Jallet, my maître d’hôtel? A wonderful servant but I fear he can be indiscreet. He loves gossip. My footman Alain – he, too, talks too much with all the grooms in the stables. Rufflets is simply too old. I must think on this. Meanwhile Princess Claude, Princess Elizabeth, Mary Livingston, Mary Fleming, and I are required to go to the music room. Queen Catherine is determined to have ballet master Balthazar teach us a ballet she wants us to learn. I am, needless to say, in no mood for ballet. It amazes me that even though I have my own household and can spend my own money I still am treated as a child in many ways. Janet Sinclair says I must be part of this stupid ballet. It would offend the King if I did not participate. We are to play the roles of ancient prophetesses. Ronsard has composed poetry to be accompanied by music from the rebec, and we are to dance these steps. I do not want to pretend to be some prophetess and dance around in a silly costume. It is so tedious, so boring, and all I want to do is see the prophet Nostradamus.