CHAPTER XXIII

Scandalous Adventure of the Abbesse de la Joye.—­Anecdote of Madame de Saint-Herem.—­Death of James II. and Recognition of His Son.—­Alliance against France.—­Scene at St. Maur.—­Balls and Plays.—­The “Electra” of Longepierre—­Romantic Adventures of the Abbe de Vatterville.

CHAPTER XXIV

Changes in the Army.—­I Leave the Service.—­Annoyance of the King.—­The
Medallic History of the Reign.—­Louis XIII.—­Death of William III.—­
Accession of Queen Anne.—­The Alliance Continued.—­Anecdotes of Catinat. 
—­Madame de Maintenon and the King.

Volume4.

CHAPTER XXV

Anecdote of Canaples.—­Death of the Duc de Coislin.—­Anecdotes of His
Unbearable Politeness.—­Eccentric Character.—­President de Novion.—­
Death of M. de Lorges.—­Death of the Duchesse de Gesvres.

CHAPTER XXVI

The Prince d’Harcourt.—­His Character and That of His Wife.—­Odd Court
Lady.—­She Cheats at Play.—­Scene at Fontainebleau.—­Crackers at Marly.—­
Snowballing a Princess.—­Strange Manners of Madame d’Harcourt.—­
Rebellion among Her Servants.—­A Vigorous Chambermaid.

CHAPTER XXVII

Madame des Ursins.—­Her Marriage and Character.—­The Queen of Spain.—­
Ambition of Madame de Maintenon.—­Coronation of Philip V.—­A Cardinal
Made Colonel.—­Favourites of Madame des Ursins.—­Her Complete Triumph.—­
A Mistake.—­A Despatch Violated.—­Madame des Ursins in Disgrace.

CHAPTER XXVIII

Appointment of the Duke of Berwick.—­Deception Practised by Orry.—­Anger of Louis XIV.—­Dismissal of Madame des Ursins.—­Her Intrigues to Return.  —­Annoyance of the King and Queen of Spain.—­Intrigues at Versailles.—­ Triumphant Return of Madame des Ursins to Court.—­Baseness of the Courtiers.—­Her Return to Spain Resolved On.

CHAPTER XXIX

An Honest Courtier.—­Robbery of Courtin and Fieubet.—­An Important
Affair.—­My Interview with the King.—­His Jealousy of His Authority.—­
Madame La Queue, the King’s Daughter.—­Battle of Blenheim or Hochstedt.—­
Our Defeat.—­Effect of the News on the King.—­Public Grief and Public
Rejoicing.—­Death of My Friend Montfort.

CHAPTER XXX

Naval Battle of Malaga.—­Danger of Gibraltar.—­Duke of Mantua in Search of a Wife.—­Duchesse de Lesdiguieres.—­Strange Intrigues.—­Mademoiselle d’Elboeuf Carries off the Prize.—­A Curious Marriage.—­Its Result.—­ History of a Conversion to Catholicism.—­Attempted Assassination. —­ Singular Seclusion

CHAPTER XXXI