VOLUME 4.✦

CHAPTER XXV✦

Anecdote of Canaples.--Death of the Duc de Coislin.--Anecdotes of His Unbearable Politeness.--Eccentric Character.--President de Novion.-- Death of M. de Lorges.--Death of the Duchesse de Gesvres.

CHAPTER XXVI✦

The Prince d’Harcourt.--His Character and That of His Wife.--Odd Court Lady.--She Cheats at Play.--Scene at Fontainebleau.--Crackers at Marly.-- Snowballing a Princess.--Strange Manners of Madame d’Harcourt.-- Rebellion among Her Servants.--A Vigorous Chambermaid.

CHAPTER XXVII✦

Madame des Ursins.--Her Marriage and Character.--The Queen of Spain.-- Ambition of Madame de Maintenon.--Coronation of Philip V.--A Cardinal Made Colonel.--Favourites of Madame des Ursins.--Her Complete Triumph.-- A Mistake.--A Despatch Violated.--Madame des Ursins in Disgrace.

CHAPTER XXVIII✦

Appointment of the Duke of Berwick.--Deception Practised by Orry.--Anger of Louis XIV.--Dismissal of Madame des Ursins.--Her Intrigues to Return. --Annoyance of the King and Queen of Spain.--Intrigues at Versailles.-- Triumphant Return of Madame des Ursins to Court.--Baseness of the Courtiers.--Her Return to Spain Resolved On.

CHAPTER XXIX✦

An Honest Courtier.--Robbery of Courtin and Fieubet.--An Important Affair.--My Interview with the King.--His Jealousy of His Authority.-- Madame La Queue, the King’s Daughter.--Battle of Blenheim or Hochstedt.-- Our Defeat.--Effect of the News on the King.--Public Grief and Public Rejoicing.--Death of My Friend Montfort.

CHAPTER XXX✦

Naval Battle of Malaga.--Danger of Gibraltar.--Duke of Mantua in Search of a Wife.--Duchesse de Lesdiguieres.--Strange Intrigues.--Mademoiselle d’Elboeuf Carries off the Prize.--A Curious Marriage.--Its Result.-- History of a Conversion to Catholicism.--Attempted Assassination.-- Singular Seclusion