Ambition is the Marquis’s ruling passion.  The simple role of a fine gentleman is, in his eyes, but a secondary one; his Magnificency requires a far more exalted platform than that.

When he knew that war in Candia had broken out, and which side the kings of Christendom would necessarily take, his ideas became more exalted still.  He bethought himself of the strange fortunes of certain valiant warriors in the time of the Crusades.  He saw that the Lorraines, the Bouillons, and the Lusignans had won sceptres and crowns, and he flattered himself that the name of Lauzun might in this vast adventurous career gain glory too.

He begged me to get him a command in this army of Candia, wherein the King had just permitted his own kinsmen to go and win laurels for themselves.  He was already a full colonel of dragoons, and one of the captains of the guard.  The King, who till then liked him well enough, considered such a proposition indecent, and, gauging or not gauging his intentions, he postponed until a later period these aspirations of Lauzun to the post of prince or sovereign.

CHAPTER XXIII.

The Abbe d’Estrees.—­Singular Offers of Service.—­Madame de Montespan Declines His Offer of Intercession at the Vatican.—­He Revenges Himself upon the King of Portugal.—­Difference between a Fair Man and a Dark.

Since the reign of Gabrielle d’Estrees, who died just as she was about to espouse her King, the D’Estrees family were treated at Court more with conventional favour than with esteem.  The first of that name was lieutenant-general, destined to wield the baton of a French marshal, on account of his ancestry as well as his own personal merit.  The Abbe d’Estrees passed for being in the Church what M. de Lauzun was in society,—­a man who always met with success, and who also was madly ambitious.

While still very young, he had been appointed to the bishopric of Laon, which, in conjunction with two splendid abbeys, brought him in a handsome revenue.  The Duc and Duchesse de Vendome were as fond of him as one of their own kin, doing nothing without first consulting him, everywhere praising and extolling his abilities, which were worthy of a ministry.

This prelate desired above all things to be made a cardinal.  Under Henri IV. he could easily have had his wish, but at that time he was not yet born.  He imagined that on the strength of my credit he could procure the biretta for himself.

As soon as he saw me recognised as a mistress, he paid assiduous court to me, never losing an opportunity of everywhere sounding my praise.  One day he said to me:  “Madame, every one pities you on account of the vexation and grief which the Marquis de Montespan has caused you.  If you will confide in me,—­that is, if you will let me represent your interests with the Cardinals and the Holy Father,—­I heartily offer you my services as mediator and advocate