VERSAILLES FROM THE PIÈCE D'EAU DES SUISSES 193 From an engraving by Rigaud. MADAME DE MONTESPAN 211 VIEW OF THE LUXEMBOURG (LATER CALLED THE PALAIS, D'ORLÉANS) IN THE 17TH CENTURY 242 From an old print. LOUVOIS 258 BEDCHAMBER OF LOUIS XIV. AT VERSAILLES 259 LOUIS XIV. 266 MADAME DE SÉVIGNÉ 270 From an old engraving. MADAME DE MAINTENON 286 DUC D'ORLÉANS 310 OLD COURT LIFE IN FRANCE. CHAPTER I. TEMPTED. News came from the army announcing brilliant success. The valour of the King was specially extolled; he was no longer a bashful, feeble prince, victimised by feminine cabals, tyrannised over by Richelieu. He had suddenly become a warrior, foremost in danger, leading his troops in person into the hottest of the fray. Each day his absence lasted, and every fresh intelligence that arrived, added to the excitement of Louise de Lafayette. The danger to which he was exposed made her tremble. She eagerly desired his return, not for the mere pleasure of seeing and conversing with him (though that was very dear to her), but because she was sure that the time had come when he would himself hold the reins of government, and display all that nobleness of character with which her romantic fancy had invested him. Such, at least, was the conviction, however delusive, of the pretty maid of honour, who, lost in contemplation of the King's virtues, failed to perceive the state of her own heart. At length the campaign terminated. Louis had re-taken all the places conquered by the Spaniards. They were in full retreat. The King returned to Paris, which, not having been considered out of danger from the attacks of the enemy, received him with transports of joy. Mademoiselle de Lafayette, a witness of the universal enthusiasm, saw in Louis the worthy successor of Henry the Great, and the inheritor of all his glory. Intoxicated by these dreams, she imagined that even her advice would be in future needless—that the King of his own accord would suppress the arrogance of Richelieu, and from henceforth exercise the royal authority alone.