said the King, “she would be the best woman in the world to teach the Princess to put rouge and patches on her cheek;” and then, being more devout than usual, he said other things as bitter and marking strong aversion on his part to the Duchess.  In fact, she was no favourite of his nor of Madame de Maintenon; and this was so well understood that the surprise of Monsieur and of everybody else was great, upon finding, the day after this discourse, that she had been appointed to the place.

The cause of this was soon learnt.  The Duchesse de Lude coveted much to be made lady of honour to the Princess, but knew she had but little chance, so many others more in favour than herself being in the field.  Madame de Maintenon had an old servant named Nanon, who had been with her from the time of her early days of misery, and who had such influence with her, that this servant was made much of by everybody at Court, even by the ministers and the daughters of the King.  The Duchesse de Lude had also an old servant who was on good terms with the other.  The affair therefore was not difficult.  The Duchesse de Lude sent twenty thousand crowns to Nanon, and on the very evening of the day on which the King had spoken to Monsieur, she had the place.  Thus it is!  A Nanon sells the most important and the most brilliant offices, and a Duchess of high birth is silly enough to buy herself into servitude!

This appointment excited much envy.  The Marechal de Rochefort, who had expected to be named, made a great ado.  Madame de Maintenon, who despised her, was piqued, and said that she should have had it but for the conduct of her daughter.  This was a mere artifice; but the daughter was, in truth, no sample of purity.  She had acted in such a manner with Blansac that he was sent for from the army to marry her, and on the very night of their wedding she gave birth to a daughter.  She was full of wit, vivacity, intrigue, and sweetness; yet most wicked, false, and artificial, and all this with a simplicity of manner, that imposed even upon those who knew her best.  More than gallant while her face lasted, she afterwards was easier of access, and at last ruined herself for the meanest valets.  Yet, notwithstanding her vices, she was the prettiest flower of the Court bunch, and had her chamber always full of the best company:  she was also much sought after by the three daughters of the King.  Driven away from the Court, she was after much supplication recalled, and pleased the King so much that Madame de Maintenon, in fear of her, sent her away again.  But to go back again to the household of the Princess of Savoy.

Dangeau was made chevalier d’honneur.  He owed his success to his good looks, to the court he paid to the King’s mistresses, to his skilfulness at play, and to a lucky stroke of fortune.  The King had oftentimes been importuned to give him a lodging, and one day, joking with him upon his fancy of versifying; proposed to him some very hard rhymes, and promised him a lodging if he filled them up upon the spot.  Dangeau accepted, thought but for a moment, performed the task, and thus gained his lodging.  He was an old friend of Madame de Maintenon, and it was to her he was indebted for his post of chevalier d’honneur in the new household.