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succeeded in obtaining from him the permission for Madame des Ursins to
remain in France。 Toulouse was fixed upon for her residence。 It was a
place that just suited her； and from which communication with Spain was
easy。 Here accordingly she took up her residence； determined to watch
well the course of events； and to avail herself of every opportunity that
could bring about her complete reconciliation with the King （Louis XIV。）；
and obtain for her in consequence the permission to return to Madrid。
In the mean time； the King and Queen of Spain； distressed beyond measure
at the loss of their favourite； thought only of the best means of
obtaining her recall。 They plotted with such ministers as were
favourable to her； they openly quarrelled with and thwarted those who
were her opponents； so that the most important matters perished in their
hands。 Nay more； upon the King of Spain's return； the Queen persuaded
him to oppose in all things the wishes of the King （Louis XIV。）； his
grandfather； and to neglect his counsels with studied care。 Our King
complained of this with bitterness。 The aim of it was to tire him out；
and to make him understand that it was only Madame des Ursins； well
treated and sent back； who could restore Spanish affairs to their
original state； and cause his authority to be respected。 Madame de
Maintenon； on her side； neglected no opportunity of pressing the King to
allow Madame des Ursins； not to return into Spainthat would have been
to spoil all by asking too much but simply to come to Versailles in order
to have the opportunity of justifying herself for her past conduct。 From
other quarters the King was similarly importuned。 Tired at last of the
obstinate opposition he met with in Spain from the Queen； who governed
completely her husband； he gave permission to Madame des Ursins to come
to Versailles to plead her own cause。 Self…imprisoned as he was in
seclusion； the truth never approached him； and he was the only man in the
two kingdoms who had no suspicion that the arrival of Madame ales Ursins
at the Court was the certain sign of her speedy return to Spain more
powerful than ever。 But he was fatigued with the constant resistance he
met with； with the disorder which this occasioned in public affairs at a
time too when； as I will afterwards explain； the closest union was
necessary between the two crowns in order to repel the common enemy； and
these motives induced him； to the astonishment of his ministers； to grant
the favour requested of him。
However well informed Madame des Ursins might be of all that was being
done on her account； this permission surpassed her hopes。 Her joy
accordingly was very great； but it did not at all carry her away。 She
saw that her return to Spain would now depend upon herself。 She
determined to put on the air of one who is disgraced； but who hopes； and
yet is humiliated。 She instructed all her friends to assume the same
manner； took all measures with infinite presence of mind； did not hurry
her departure； and yet set out with sufficient promptness to prevent any
coldness springing up； and to show with what eagerness she profited by
the favour accorded to her； and which she had so much wished。
No sooner was the courier gone who carried this news to her； than the
rumour of her return was whispered all over the Court； and became
publicly confirmed a few days afterwards。 The movement that it produced
at Court was inconceivable。 Only the friends of Madame des Ursins were
able to remain in a tolerably tranquil state。 Everybody opened his eyes
and comprehended that the return of such an important personage was a
fact that could not be insignificant。 People prepared themselves for a
sort of rising sun that was going to change and renew many things in
nature。 On every side were seen people who had scarcely ever uttered her
name； and who now boasted of their intimacy with her and of her
friendship for them。 Other people were seen； who； although openly allied
with her enemies； had the baseness to affect transports of joy at her
forthcoming return； and to flatter those whom they thought likely to
favour them with her。
She reached Paris on Sunday； the 4th of January； 1705。 The Duc d'Albe
met her several miles out of the city； escorted her to his house； and
gave a fete in her honour there。 Several persons of distinction went out
to meet her。 Madame des Ursins had reason to be surprised at an entry so
triumphant： she would not； however； stay with the Duc and Duchesse
d'Albe； but took up her quarters with the Comtesse d'Egmont； niece of the
Archbishop of Aix； the said Archbishop having been instrumental in
obtaining her recall。 The King was at Marly。 I was there with Madame de
Saint…Simon。 During the remainder of the stay at Marly everybody flocked
to the house of Madame des Ursins； anxious to pay her their court。
However flattered she may have been by this concourse； she had matters to
occupy her； pleaded want of repose； and shut her door to three people out
of four who called upon her。 Curiosity； perhaps fashion； drew this great
crowd to her。 The ministers were startled by it。 Torcy had orders from
the King to go； and see her： he did so； and from that moment Madame des
Ursins changed her tone。 Until then her manner had been modest；
supplicating； nearly timid。 She now saw and heard so much that from
defendant； which she had intended to be； she thought herself in a
condition to become accuser； and to demand justice of those who； abusing
the confidence of the King； had drawn upon her such a long and cruel
punishment； and made her a show for the two kingdoms。 All that happened
to her surpassed her hopes。 Several times when with me she has expressed
her astonishment； and with me has laughed at many people； often of much
consideration； whom she scarcely knew； or who had been strongly opposed
to her； and who basely crouched at her feet。
The King returned to Versailles on Saturday； the l0th of January。 Madame
des Ursins arrived there the same day。 I went immediately to see her；
not having been able to do so before； because I could not quit Marly。 My
mother had seen a great deal of Madame des Ursins at Paris。 I had always
been on good terms with her； and had received on all occasions proofs of
her friendship。 She received me very well； spoke with much freedom； and
said she promised herself the pleasure of seeing me again； and of talking
with me more at her ease。 On； the morrow； Sunday； she dined at home
alone； dressed herself in grand style； and went to the King； with whom
she remained alone two hours and a half conversing in his cabinet。 From
there she went to the Duchesse de Bourgogne； with whom she also conversed
a long time alone。 In the evening； the King said； while in Madame de
Maintenon's apartments； that there were still many things upon which he
had not yet spoken to Madame des Ursins。 The next day she saw Madame de
Maintenon in private for a long time； and much at her ease。 She had an
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
Spai