She had married one of her cousins, M. de Montpipeau, to Mademoiselle Aubry, the daughter of a private citizen who was exceedingly rich.  To convince her that she had made a good match, Madame de Montespan had her brought into her own small private room.  The young lady was not accustomed to very refined society, and the first time she went she seated herself upon the table, and, crossing her legs, sat swinging there as if she had been in her own chamber.  The laugh which this excited cannot be conceived, nor the comical manner in which Madame de Montespan turned it to the King’s amusement.  The young lady thought that her new relation was inclined to be favourable to her, and loaded her with compliments.  In general, Montespan had the skill of representing things so humourously that it was impossible not to laugh at her.

According to the law of the land, all her children were supposed to be Monsieur de Montespan’s.  When her husband was dangerously ill, Madame de Montespan, who in some degree affected devotion, sent to ask him if he would allow her to nurse him in his sickness.  He replied that he would very willingly, provided she would bring all his children home with her, but if she left one behind he would not receive her.  After this answer, she took care not to go, for her husband was a great brute, and would have said whatever he pleased as soon as she presented herself to him.

With the exception of the Comte de Toulouse, all the children she had by the King are marked.  The Duc du Maine is paralytic, Madame d’Orleans is crooked, and Madame la Duchesse is lame.

M. de Montespan was not a very estimable person; he did nothing but play.  He was a very sordid man, and I believe if the King had chosen to give him a good round sum he would have been very quiet.  It was amusing enough to see him and his son, d’Antin, playing with Madame d’Orleans and Madame la Duchesse, and presenting the cards very politely, and kissing his hand to the Princesses, who were called his own daughters.  He thought it a joke himself, and always turned aside a little to laugh in his sleeve.

SECTION VI.—­MADAME DE MAINTENON.

The marriage of Louis XIV. with old Maintenon proves how impossible it is to escape one’s fate.  The King said one day to the Duc de Crequi and to M. de La Rochefoucauld, long before he knew Mistress Scarron, “I am convinced that astrology is false.  I had my nativity cast in Italy, and I was told that, after living to an advanced age, I should be in love with an old ----- to the last moment of my existence.  I do not think there is any great likelihood of that.”  He laughed most heartily as he said this; and yet the thing has taken place.