[A] Marie-Louise Motier de la Fayette became maid of honour to Anne of Austria at the age of fourteen. Her beauty and the promise of great ability for which she was afterwards so remarkable attracted the King Louis XIII. His devotion to her which lasted all his life was that of a brother to a most dear sister. He turned to her in his troubles and relied and acted on her advice. When at the age of nineteen she decided to retire into the Monastery of the Visitation, for which she had not ceased to long during her short life at Court, the King opposed her vocation, but seeing that her happiness was bound up with it he at last gave his consent. Yet he never ceased to visit this devoted friend who continued to exercise over him a wise and salutary influence. Richelieu, jealous of her power with the King, was sensibly relieved by her entrance into religion. However, hearing one day that Louis had spent three hours at the Rue St. Antoine with this young religious, he was thoroughly frightened, and sending for Père Caussin, the King's confessor, he said: "I am greatly astonished that the King has made such a mystery to me of this visit. It has caused a great sensation, and the public are persuaded that the consequences of it will be serious. My friends have come to offer to defend me at the peril of their lives." "What can you mean, Monseigneur?" replied the Jesuit Father. "Surely you do not fear Mademoiselle de la Fayette? she is but a child." "You are a simple man," replied the Cardinal, pressing the Priest's hand; "but you will have to learn the wickedness of the world. Know then that this child has had it in her mind to ruin all." Notwithstanding the discontent--nay, even the abject terror--of the powerful Cardinal, Louis continued his visits, which always took place in the grilled parlour: for although as King he had a right to enter the monastery he never took advantage of this royal privilege.