Next day after the fall of Chamillart, it became known that the triumph of Madame de Maintenon was completed, and that Voysin, her creature, was the succeeding Secretary of State.  This Voysin had the one indispensable quality for admission into the counsels of Louis XIV.—­not a drop of noble blood in his veins.  He had married, in 1683, the daughter of Trudaine.  She had a very agreeable countenance, without any affectation.  She appeared simple and modest, and occupied with her household and good works; but in reality, had sense, wit, cleverness, above all, a natural insinuation, and the art of bringing things to pass without being perceived.  She kept with great tact a magnificent house.  It was she who received Madame de Maintenon at Dinan, when the King was besieging Namur; and, as she had been instructed by M. de Luxembourg in the way to please that lady, succeeded most effectually.  Among her arts was her modesty, which led her prudently to avoid pressing herself on Madame de Maintenon, or showing herself more than was absolutely necessary.  She was sometimes two whole days without seeing her.  A trifle, luckily contrived, finished the conquest of Madame de Maintenon.  It happened that the weather passed suddenly from excessive heat to a damp cold, which lasted a long time.  Immediately, an excellent dressing-gown, simple, and well lined, appeared in the corner of the chamber.  This present, by so much the more agreeable, as Madame de Maintenon had not brought any warm clothing, touched her also by its suddenness, and by its simple appearance, as if of its own accord.

In this way, the taste of Madame de Maintenon for Madame Voysin was formed and increased.  Madame Voysin obtained an appointment for her husband, and coming to Paris, at last grew extremely familiar with Madame de Maintenon.  Voysin himself had much need of the wife that Providence had given him.  He was perfectly ignorant of everything but the duties of an Intendant.  He was, moreover, rough and uncivil, as the courtiers soon found.  He was never unjust for the sake of being so, nor was he bad naturally; but he knew nothing but authority, the King and Madame de Maintenon, whose will was unanswerable—­his sovereign law and reason.  The choice was settled between the King and Madame de Maintenon after supper, the day of Chamillart’s fall.  Voysin was conducted to the King by Bloin, after having received the orders and instructions of his benefactress.  In the evening of that day, the King found Madame Voysin with Madame de Maintenon, and kissed her several times to please his lady.

Voysin’s first experience of the duties of his office was unpleasant.  He was foolish enough, feeling his ignorance, to tell the King, that at the outset he should be obliged to leave everything to his Majesty, but that when he knew better, he would take more on himself.  The King, to whom Chamillart used himself to leave everything, was much offended by this language; and drawing himself up, in the tone