Cyclops.  In this manner Pontchartrain was saved, but it cost dear to the State.  The fear he was in of succumbing under the glory or under the vengeance of an admiral who was son of the King determined him to ruin the fleet itself, so as to render it incapable of receiving the admiral again.  He determined to do this, and kept to his word, as was afterwards only too clearly verified by the facts.  The Comte de Toulouse saw no more either ports or vessels, and from that time only very feeble squadrons went out, and even those very seldom.  Pontchartrain, had the impudence to boast of this before my face.

When I last spoke of Madame des Ursins, I described her as living in the midst of the Court, flattered and caressed by all, and on the highest terms of favour with the King and Madame de Maintenon.  She found her position, indeed, so far above her hopes, that she began to waver in her intention of returning to Spain.  The age and the health of Madame de Maintenon tempted her.  She would have preferred to govern here rather than in Spain.  Flattered by the attentions paid her, she thought those attentions, or, I may say, rather those servile adorations, would continue for ever, and that in time she might arrive at the highest point of power.  The Archbishop of Aix and her brother divined her thoughts, for she did not dare to avow them, and showed her in the clearest way that those thoughts were calculated to lead her astray.  They explained to her that the only interest Madame de Maintenon had in favouring her was on account of Spain.  Madame des Ursins—­once back in that country, Madame de Maintenon looked forward to a recommencement of those relations which had formerly existed between them, by which the government of Spain in appearance, if not in reality, passed through her hands.  They therefore advised Madame des Ursins on no account to think of remaining in France, at the same time suggesting that it would not be amiss to stop there long enough to cause some inquietude to Madame de Maintenon, so as to gain as much advantage as possible from it.

The solidity of these reasons persuaded Madame des Ursins to follow the advice given her.  She resolved to depart, but not until after a delay by which she meant to profit to the utmost.  We shall soon see what success attended her schemes.  The terms upon which I stood with her enabled me to have knowledge of all the sentiments that had passed through her mind:  her extreme desire, upon arriving in Paris, to return to Spain; the intoxication which seized her in consequence of the treatment she received, and which made her balance this desire; and her final resolution.  It was not until afterwards, however, that I learnt all the details I have just related.