The Memoirs of Madame de Montespan, vol 4 | Page 8

conferred a petty governorship upon the Comte d'Aubigne, her brother,

and the Marquis de la Gallerie, their cousin, has just received the
command of a regiment, and a pension.
Madame de Maintenon readily admits that she owes her actual good
fortune to myself. I also saw one of her letters to Madame de
Saint-Geran, in which she refers to me in terms of gratitude. Sometimes,
indeed, she goes too far, even siding with my husband, and
condemning what she dares to term my conduct; however, this is only
to my face. I have always liked her, and in spite of her affronts, I like
her still; but there are times when I am less tolerant, and then we are
like two persons just about to fall out.
The Comte de Toulouse and Mademoiselle de Blois were not entrusted
to her at their birth as the others were. The King thought that the
additional responsibility of their education would prove too great for
the Marquise. He preferred to enjoy her society and conversation, so
my two youngest children were placed in the care of Madame d'Arbon,
a friend or stewardess of M. de Colbert. Not a great compliment, as I
take it.
When, for the second time, Madame de Maintenon took the Duc du
Maine to Barege, she returned by way of the Landes, Guienne, and
Poitou. She wished to revisit her native place, and show her pupil to all
her relations. Perceiving that she was a marquise, the instructress of
princes, and a personage in high favour, they were lavish of their
compliments and their praise, yet forebore to give her back her
property.
Knowing that she was a trifle vain about her noble birth, they made
over to her the great family pedigree, as well as a most precious
manuscript. These papers, found to be quite correct, included a most
spirited history of the War of the League, written by Baron Agrippa
d'Aubigne, who might rank as an authority upon the subject, having
fought against the Leaguers for over fifteen years. Among these
documents the King found certain details that hitherto had been
forgotten, or had never yet come to light. And as the Baron was Henri
IV.'s favourite aide-decamp, every reference that he makes to that good
king is of importance and interest.
This manuscript, in the simplest manner possible, set forth the
governess's ancestors. I am sure she was more concerned about this
document than about her property.

CHAPTER LII
.
The Young Flemish Lady.--The Sainte-Aldegonde Family.--The Sage
of the Sepulchres.
Just at the time of the conquest of Tournai, a most amusing thing
occurred, which deserves to be chronicled. Another episode may be
recorded also, of a gloomier nature.
Directly Tournai had surrendered, and the new outposts were occupied,
the King wished to make his entry into this important town, which he
had long desired to see. The people and the burghers, although mute
and silent, willingly watched the French army and its King march past,
but the aristocracy scarcely showed themselves at any of the windows,
and the few folk who appeared here and there on the balconies
abstained from applauding the King.
Splendidly apparelled, and riding the loveliest of milk-white steeds, his
Majesty proceeded upon his triumphant way, surrounded by the flower
of French nobility, and scattering money as he went.
Before the Town Hall the procession stopped, when the magistrates
delivered an address, and gave up to his Majesty the keys of the city in
a large enamelled bowl.
When the King, looking calmly contented, was about to reply, he
observed a woman who had pushed her way through the French
guardsmen, and staring hard at him, appeared anxious to get close up to
him. In fact, she advanced a step or two, and the epithet that crossed her
lips struck the conqueror as being coarsely offensive.
"Arrest that woman," cried the King. She was instantly seized and
brought before him.
"Why do you insult me thus?" he asked quickly, but with dignity.
"I have not insulted you," replied the Flemish lady. "The word that
escaped me was rather a term of flattery and of praise, at least if it has
the meaning which it conveys to us here, in these semi-French parts."
"Say that word again," added the King; "for I want everybody to bear
witness that I am just in punishing you for such an insult."
"Sire," answered this young woman, "your soldiers have destroyed my
pasture-lands, my woods, and my crops. Heart-broken, I came here to

curse you, but your appearance at once made me change my mind. On
looking closer at you, in. spite of my grief, I could not help exclaiming,
'So that's the handsome b-----, is it!'"
The grenadiers, being called as witnesses, declared that such was in fact
her