while clothilde was described as a docile pupil, "who made herself loved by all who approached her", élisabeth long refused to study, stating that "there were always people at hand whose duty it was to think for princes", and treated her staff with impatience. because of their difference, madame de marsan, who was not able to handle elisabeth, preferred clothilde, which made elisabeth jealous and created a rift between the sisters. their relationship improved when elisabeth fell ill and clothilde insisted upon nursing her; during that time, clothilde taught elisabeth the alphabet and gave her an interest in religion. clothilde came to be elizabeth's good friend, tutor and counselor.