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interview soon after with the King and Madame de Maintenon； which was
also very long。
A month after this a special courier arrived from the King and Queen of
Spain； to thank the King （Louis XIV。） for his conduct towards the
Princesse des Ursins。 From that moment it was announced that she would
remain at Court until the month of April； in order to attend to her
affairs and her health。 It was already to have made a grand step to be
mistress enough to announce thus her stay。 Nobody in truth doubted of
her return to Spain； but the word was not yet said。 She avoided all
explanations； and it may be believed did not have many indiscreet
questions put to her upon the subject。
So many and such long audiences with the King； followed by so much
serenity； had a great effect upon the world； and the crowd that flocked
to see Madame des Ursins was greater than ever； but under various
pretences she shut herself up and would see only a few intimate friends；
foremost among which were Madame de Saint…Simon and myself。 Whilst
triumphant beyond all her hopes in Paris； she was at work in Spain； and
with equal success。 Rivas； who had drawn up the will of the late King
Charles II。； was disgraced； and never afterwards rose to favour。 The Duc
de Grammont； our ambassador at Madrid； was so overwhelmed with annoyance；
that he asked for his recall。 Amelot； whom Madame des Ursins favoured；
was appointed in his place； and many who had been disgraced were
reinstated in office； everything was ordered according to her wishes。
We returned to Marly； where many balls took place。 It need not be
doubted that Madame des Ursins was among the invited。 Apartments were
given her； and nothing could equal the triumphant air with which she took
possession of them； the continual attentions of the King to her； as
though she were some little foreign queen just arrived at his Court； or
the majestic fashion in which she received them； mingled with grace and
respectful politeness； then almost out of date； and which recalled the
stately old dames of the Queen…mother。 She never came without the King；
who appeared to be completely occupied with her； talking with her；
pointing out objects for her inspection； seeking her opinion and her
approbation with an air of gallantry； even of flattery； which never
ceased。 The frequent private conversations that she had with him in the
apartment of Madame de Maintenon； and which lasted an hour； and sometimes
double that time； those that she very often had in the morning alone with
Madame de Maintenon； rendered her the divinity of the Court。 The
Princesses encircled her the moment she appeared anywhere； and went to
see her in her chamber。 Nothing was more surprising than the servile
eagerness with which the greatest people； the highest in power and the
most in favour； clustered around her。 Her very glances were counted； and
her words； addressed even to ladies of the highest rank； imprinted upon
them a look of ravishment。
I went nearly every morning to her house： she always rose very early；
dressed herself at once； so that she was never seen at her toilette。
I was in advance of the hour fixed for the most important visitors； and
we talked with the same liberty as of yore。 I learnt from her many
details； and the opinion of the King and of Madame de Maintenon upon many
people。 We often used to laugh in concert at the truckling to her of
persons the most considerable； and of the disdain they drew upon
themselves； although she did not testify it to them。 We laughed too at
the falsehood of others； who after having done her all the injury in
their power ever since her arrival； lavished upon her all kinds of
flatteries； and boasted of their affection for her and of zeal in her
cause。 I was flattered with this confidence of the dictatress of the
Court。 It drew upon me a sudden consideration； for people of the
greatest distinction often found me alone with her in the morning； and
the messengers who rained down at that time reported that they had found
me with her； and that they had not been able to speak to her。 Oftentimes
in the salon she called me to her； or at other times I went to her and
whispered a word in her ear； with an air of ease and liberty much envied
but little imitated。 She never met Madame de Saint…Simon without going
to her； praising her； making her join in the conversation that was
passing around； oftentimes leading her to the glass and adjusting her
head…dress or her robe as she might have done in private to a daughter。
People asked with surprise and much annoyance whence came such a great
friendship which had never been suspected by anybody？ What completed the
torment of the majority； was to see Madame des Ursins； as soon as she
quitted the chamber of Madame de Maintenon； go immediately to Madame de
Saint…Simon； lead her aside； and speak to her in a low tone。 This opened
the eyes of everybody and drew upon us many civilities。
A more solid gratification to us were the kind things Madame des Ursins
said in our behalf to the King and Madame de Maintenon。 She spoke in the
highest praise of Madame de Saint…Simon； and declared that there was no
woman at Court so fitting as she； so expressly made by her virtue； good
conduct； and ability； to be lady of the Palace； or even lady…of…honour to
Madame la Duchesse de Bourgogne； should the post become vacant。 Madame
des Ursins did not forget me； but a woman was more susceptible of her
praise。 It made； therefore； all the more impression。 This kind manner
towards us did not change during all her stay at Court。
At all the balls which Madame des Ursins attended； she was treated with
much distinction； and at one she obtained permission for the Duc and
Duchesse d'Albe to be present； but with some little trouble。 I say with
some little trouble； because no ambassador； no foreigner； had ever；
with one exception； been admitted ；to Marly。 It was a great favour；
therefore； for Madame des Ursins to obtain。 The King； too； treated the
Duc and Duchesse d'Albe； throughout the evening with marked respect； and
placed the latter in the most distinguished position； not only in the
ball…room but at supper。 When he went to bed； too； he gave the Duc
d'Albe his candlestick； an honour the importance of which I have already
described。
At the other balls Madame des Ursins seated herself near the Grand
Chamberlain； and looked at everybody with her lorgnette。 At every moment
the King turned round to speak to her and Madame de Maintenon； who came
for half an hour or so to these balls； and on her account displaced the
Grand Chamberlain； who put himself behind her。 In this manner she joined
Madame des Ursins； and was close to the Kingthe conversation between
the three being continual。 What appeared extremely singular was to see
Madame des Ursins in the salon with a little spaniel in her arms； as
though she had been in her own house。 People could not sufficiently
express their astonishment at a familiarity which even Madame la Duchesse
de Bourgogne would not have dared to venture； still less could they do so
when they saw the King caress this little dog over and over again。 In
fine； such