The cardinal was a heartless, avaricious man, of but little ability, and yet endowed with a very considerable degree of that cunning which sometimes proves to be temporarily so successful in diplomatic intrigues. The king was probably glad to be rid of him, for he could not easily throw off a yoke to which he had been habituated from childhood. During most of the cardinal's illness Louis continued his usual round of feasting and dancing. Upon his death he manifested no grief. It seems that he had previously made up his mind no longer to be troubled by a prime minister, but to rule absolutely by his own will. Two days before the death of Mazarin, when he was no longer capable of transacting any business, the president of the ecclesiastical assembly inquired of the king "to whom he must hereafter address himself on questions of public business." The emphatic and laconic response was, "_To myself_." CHAPTER V. FESTIVITIES OF THE COURT. 1661-1664 Influence and reputation of Mazarin.--Character of M. Fouquet.--Information given by M. Colbert.--Appearance of Louis XIV.--Charles II., King of England, and family.--The Princess Henrietta.--Marriage of Philip.--Fascinations of Henrietta.--Grief of Maria Theresa.--The queen-mother appealed to.--Mademoiselle de la Valliere.--Visit to the palace of Blois.--Fascination of Louis.--Louise captivated.--Festivities at Fontainebleau.--Discussion of the court ladies.--Vexation of Louise.--Discovery by Louis.--Louis and Mademoiselle de Valliere.--Sudden interruption of festivities.--Attentions of Louis.--Anecdote.--The lottery and the bracelets.--The palace of Vaux.--Splendor of the palace.--Rebuke of Louis.--Magnificent scenes.--Continued festivities.--Significant motto.--Fouquet in danger.--Intervention of Louise.--M. Fouquet imprisoned.--Continued gayety at court.--Important dispatches.--The king's orders.--Relationship of the French and Spanish courts.--The apology of Philip IV.--Conduct of M. Crequi.--The Pope humbled.--Remorse of de la Valliere.--Illness of Anne of Austria.--Trials of Mademoiselle de la Valliere.--Disappointment.--Flight of Mademoiselle de la Valliere.--Seeks admission to the convent, and is denied.--Reproaches of the queen-mother.--Fury of Louis.--Power of Louis over Mademoiselle de la Valliere.--Return of Mademoiselle de la Valliere to the court.--Reinstated.--Resolve of Louis.--Versailles.--Extravagance of the king.--Magnificent fetes.