1. La Maintenon  
2. Scarron  
3. Ragotin  
4. La Rancune  
5. La Rapiniere    
F. H. van. Hove. sculp:    

SCARRON INCENSED: OR, His Appearing to Madam de Maintenon, His late Wife, Reproaching her Amours with LEWIS the Great, Present King of France.  
And discovering several SECRETS of that COURT,  
Written by a Lady in French.  
LONDON, Printed for Randal Taylor, near Stationers-Hall, 1694.   

TO THE READER.  
I Make you this small Present, not through any Inducements of Vanity, nor to set up for an Author not having the Honour to be known to ye. Your Divertisement is my Design, and to give you a faithful Account of some Particulars of the Court of France, always abounding in Amorous Intrigues, which merit Attention, and the Pains of committing 'em to White Paper, as coming from the most Polite Part of the World, and where all the Sweets of Life are tasted with the greatest Pleasure.  
The Subject of my Story is a Real Adventure that lately befell Madam de Maintenon, as you will find by the Sequel. Scarron appeared to her with a pensive and louring Air, and upbraided her with the whole Conduct of her Life, but more-especially with her Amorous Correspondence with Lewis the Great. The Persons I have made choice of to accompany his Ghost into this World, will make you believe, perhaps, the Story to be Fabulous; but my dear Friend, let not that infuse into ye any Sentiments of Incredulity. For I only mention the same Persons which the Marchioness of Maintenon named herself, in recounting one of her Dreams to a Lady of my intimate Acquaintance, for whom she has a passionate Kindness, and in whose Breast she lodges all her Secrets, who was pleased to impart to me the knowledge of it in these Words, That she found herself in a deep melancholy, for having seen and spoken to M. Scarron, who was attended by his Friends, La Rapiniere, La Rancune, and Ragoutin.  
You are not ignorant that these Illustrious Personages were Famous Hero's in the Romances of that Author, and that he mentions 'em every day, as well as our Heroess; for she had also her important Shares in his Conversations, for the Pastime of the Court. Moreover, the Pilgrimages and Penances which the Marchioness has lately undertaken, may be looked upon as sensible Proofs of the Truth of her Vision; those Hardships being thought a sort of Exorcisms to send Scarron to a Place where he may be better employed then to take notice of his Wife's Behaviour in this World: for 'tis thought he is still in Purgatory, and is afraid his Wife will follow him thither. Which is the reason that the poor Lady is continually at her Prayers; especially at St. Cyr, whither I have the Honour frequently to accompany her, as being very much in her Favour.  
These are the prevailing Reasons why I durst not give this History to the Booksellers in France, being assured that they would never have printed it, by reason of certain Passages in it that nearly concern the Court; and you know 'tis a dangerous thing to have Potent Enemies.  
Therefore I resolved to send it into Holland, in hopes it would there be welcome: for every Body has an itching Ear for what passes in this Kingdom, and more particularly, all Men gape after the Secrets of the Lovure.  
If you meet with any Faults in reading this small History, be so kind as to remember, that 'twas a Lady that wrote it, pursuing partly such Adventures as she had seen with her own Eyes, and partly to deceive her solitary Half Hours. In the mean time, I should be overjoyed to hear that she had gained her Point; which was, to please your Fancies with telling Truth, and which for that reason occasioned her Gadding abroad: assuring you, that merely that Satisfaction would make me gladly to forget the Trouble I have had to keep her secret in this Country.   

SCARRON Appearing TO Madam de Maintenon, etc.  
THe Posture of the French Affairs at this day, obliges the Most Christian King, as every body knows, to keep fair with the Northern Crowns; from whom as he may reap great Advantages, so his Majesty neglects nothing to preserve their Amity. Of which, his Officious Sedulity which he made appear in the magnificent Entertainments that he gave the Prince of Danemark, during his stay in Paris, was a sufficient proof: and it may be said, that the Court of France outdid itself at that time; there being nothing omitted to engage that Prince, and lock him to her Interests.  
To this purpose Madam de Maintenon, and all the rest of the Court Ladies, had Orders from his Majesty, to caress him with all Imaginable Kindness; and therefore to charm the Prince's Youthful Heart, she resolved to appear in a Ball, which the Duke of Orleans prepared for 'em in the Palace-Royal. This Ball had been preceded by a most Sumptuous Banquet, to which the Prince of Danemark, Monseigneur the Dauphin, the Princes and Princesses were invited. Several Healths went briskly about; and the King's, and that of the Princes who were Kind to him in the Present War, in not entering into the Confederacy against him, were drank first: after which the Dauphin's Health, and the Healths of all the Princes of the Blood went round, and then the Prince of Danemark's, and that of the Young Princess of ***** his Mistress. Presently after this, the Duke of Orleans, whispering to the Prince, gave him to understand the extreme Joy of his Majesty and the whole Court to see so perfect a Union, and so strict an Amity between the two Crowns: to which he added, that the most prevailing means to render that Amity and that Union eternal and and inviolable, was to see one day his Royal Highness wedded to a Princess of France.  
The Banquet being over, they prepared for Dancing, and the Princesses appeared with that Pomp and Magnificence, that the like had never been seen. The Duke of Orleans perceiving that the Company thickened by reason of a great number of Lords and Ladies that had not been invited, caused the Apartment, where he was together with the Princes and Princesses to be shut, and left the rest of the Crowd in the New Gallery of the Palace, with the Music, where they made up a second Ball, and where several Ladies of Quality were habited in Masquerade. In the Prince's and Princess' Apartment, the Duchess of Chartres being Queen of the Ball, took out the Prince of Danemark several times to dance. Nor was any thing so charming as that Young Beauty, the Lustre of whose Jewels drew upon her the Eyes of all the Assembly.  
Madam de Maintenon, whose Care did not a little contribute to the Good Order which was there observed, was taken out in her Turn by the Prince to dance, but she refused him, and repaid the Honour which he did her with a Profound Reverence, without stirring out of her Place. She answered the Prince of Danemark, who addressed to her, That her Character of Governess of St. Cyr, would not permit her so much Youthfulness; That she was there only as a Spectatrix, for that she had a long time ago, bid adieu to the Pleasures of the World.  
Nor was her Answer to be wondered at, for in truth that Lady is at this day the Greatest Pattern of Piety in France. However it were, never were the French Ladies so forwardly eager to make their Magnificence glitter in the Eyes of Foreign Princes, as they were at that time. Toward Midnight several Pleasing Metamorphoses took place, every one appearing in disguise and Masquerade. The Prince of Danemark disguised himself like a Moresco Slave, attended by Eight Lords that accompanied him in the same disguise. The Prince's Patron, taking upon him to personate a Bashaw, presented him to all the Ladies of the Court, to see who would buy him, which occasioned the most pleasing Pastime in the World: and twelve young English Lords sent by King James, appeared at the same time like Quakers, which made all the Company Laugh, and was an Extraordinary Addition to the Spectators delight.  
After so many various Metamorphoses, at length appeared a Lord disguised like a Devil. Nothing ever appeared so hideously dreadful: the Dismal Appearance was so terrible to the Ladies, but more especially the Duchess of Chartres, that they were forced to take a world of Pains before they could allay the Commotions of her Fear; and in regard of her Condition, not so seasonable for such sort of Spectacles, they were in terrible Fears that she would have miscarried: but it so fell out, that she was more afraid than hurt.  
Madam de Maintenon by this time perceiving 'twas passed one a Clock, retired first of all Incognito; and being got into her Chamber, she called La Caverna, one of her Damsels, who spread her Toilet, and brought her all her Accoutrements to pass away the Night. Now Madam de Maintenon is a Woman proper and delicately shaped, plump, full Visaged, lovely Eyes, and about five and forty Years of Age, but still appearing Young; Learned and extremely Witty, well versed in the Lives of the Saints, but particularly in that of St. Lewis, to which she applies herself with extraordinary Attention, reading in it every day an Hour or two before she goes to Bed.  
By such Pious Exercises as these she has rendered herself worthy the tenderness of the Holy Society: and Lewis the XIV. from whom the Merit of this Lady could not be concealed, has vouchsafed her both his Heart and his Affections, which gives us a perfect Demonstration of the nice and delicate Judgement of that Prince: as having never tied himself but to Persons of her Character. Consider him in the Choice of his first Mistress, Mademoiselle de Machini, who was by no means handsome, and had the worst Air in the World, but she was infinitely witty; and they that had heard her but speak, forgot all her other Defects. Mademoiselle de la Valiere, had no less the Ascendant over the Heart of this Monarch, even to the raising of Violent Passions in his Breast. But let us leave this Prince to his Tender Affections, and set what became of our Heroess Madam de Maintenon? After some moral Considerations, she took up a Book, entitled, Reflections upon the Mercy of God, by Madam de Valiere. This devout Damsel having written the most curious Thoughts that ever were, and with Expressions enough to move the most worldly minded; in those Meditations it was that our Pious Marchioness was Exercising her Thoughts, when she heard a noise in her Chamber. She thought at first it had been Diana her little Bitch; but looking behind her, she saw a Man with a Nightcap upon his Head, wrapped up in a Winding-Sheet. Who should it be but her Husband Scarron, that Famous Author, whose touring Genius, and his Verses, have made such a noise upon the Earth, and who is still no less good Company in the Kingdom of Pluto, accompanied with three of his Friends, Rancune, carrying a Folio, entitled, [The Annals of Hell, wherein are contained all the most Secret Actions of Mortals.] La Rapiniere, who carried the Contract of Marriage before God and their Consciences, passed between Lewis XIV. King of France and Navarr, surnamed God's Gift, and Frances d'Aubigne, Widow of Mr. John Scarron: And Ragotin, who carried the Flambeau; but he, out of Respect, retired into the next Gallery. Madam de Maintenon, who was not a little dismayed to see so much Funeral Pomp, would fain have hid herself in her Closet, had not the Ghost stopped her, crying out, Whither so fast, Madam? Pray stay here a little, and hearken to the grievous Complaints of the most Unfortunate of all Men. Since the Fatal Sisters cut the Thread of my Life, and my descent into the Lower Regions, I have done nothing but pined away, being all along tormented with Despair, and unconceivable Pangs of Grief, to hear every day, by all that thick and threefold arrive in our Territories from the Middle, Sides, and both Ends of Europe, the wicked Life you lead, and the Mischief you have been the cause of, by your dangerous and pernicious Counsels. 'Tis the Discourse of all the Infernal Court; there is nothing talked of but your Name upon the River Styx, and you are the Mirth for the most serious Souls in their Sixpenny Passages by that Black Water. You have utterly confounded my Reputation, to my irreparable Damage, in regard I am frequently in the Societies of the Poets, who are the rankest Scoffers in the World; and as often in the Assemblies of the Philosophers, no less Satyrical, and full of their Girds and Sarcasms. One day, as I was musing for some Thoughts proper for a certain Copy of Verses which Proserpina had commanded me to make, in Honour of Virtuous Women that had been always Constant to their Husbands, I fling out of that same dreary Academy, dull and morose, and not half so witty as I was wont to be in this World. Upon that, I walked a Turn or two in the Elysian Field to refresh my Brains, where Pluto met me, and swore to me, like a Beau of an incensed Deity, that as soon as ever he had ye in his Clutches, he would thrust ye into Tartarus, the most dreadful Place in all his Dominions, and there excruciate ye with all the most exquisite Torments that your Crimes have merited. I was in a terrible Agony to hear him pronounce so dismal a Sentence. Thereupon, I besought him to grant me Audience, to the end I might obtain the liberty to give you a Visit, on purpose to admonish ye to alter your extravagant course of Life, and to repent betimes, in order to your avoiding Eternal Punishment. And now that Tenderness, all that is left, and indeed the more Noble part, which I always had for ye, has made me take this long Journey, with three of my Friends: Anaximenes, one o our Philosophers, having given us Air, as the Principal of all things, that we might appear Corporeal.  
Oh, Sir, (eryed Madam de Maintenon,) how am I surprised at the cruel Reproaches which you cast upon me! Miserable Creature that I am, what have I done, to be thus exposed to the Anger of a Deity! Nothing can equal my Pains, nor the unfortunate Condition to which I am reduced: Heaven and Earth conspire against me, and my Name, it seems, is the Sport of Hell.  
What a pretty Art, Madam, you have to counterfeit and disguise all your Intrigues? but there is nothing concealed from us, in the Inferior Regions. I will show you in this Book, what you would be very unwilling to have known concerning your Amours, and all the other Particulars of your Life.  
Oh,— Sir, (replied Madam Maintenon,) you may perhaps be very much deceived: 'Tis a long time since the Charms of this World have had any more than a feeble Operation over me; God having infused it into me, to betake myself to a more satisfactory Retirement, I mean, the beautiful Abbey of St. Cyr; to which I dedicate all the Days of my Life with a Pleasure no way interrupted by the fading Allurements of the World, that enchant others without Intermission. How ill grounded and unjust are all your Reproaches! I beseech ye, tell me, what mean ye by those Amours, and all those Gallantries that supply your daily converse with Merriment and Disdain, within those gloomy Mansions where you now abide? I have heard you hitherto with a great deal of Patience; but I must tell ye, I look upon myself as much abused; and could a Scandalum Magnaium reach ye, I should make ye sensible of it; for I look upon my Conduct to be Exemplary, and that there is no fault to be found with me, as being the Model and Pattern by which so many young Ladies and Gentlewomen of Quality are to regulate and square their Lives and Conversations.  
I am well informed, Madam, (replied Scarron) who put it into the King's Head to erect that same What d●●e 〈◊〉 of St. Cyr, and to do several other things prejudicial to his Honour, and the Repose of his Kingdom. The King hearkens to your Advice, and you are she that guides the Chariot of his Counsels, and his Government. Yet all the World too apparently sees, that all his Conquests are hardly able to support him. I remember I have observed in History, that Hercules, who was once the most Illustrious and most ●●●●ous of all the Heros of Antiquity, after all his unparalleled Achievements and Exploits, at length became the Slave of Women. His Love for Omphale, Queen of Lydia, was so violent, as to make him exchange his Club for a Distaff, and spin in Petticoats among her Maids, only that he might have the opportunity to gaze upon her Beauty, and the Honour to be her Waiting-Woman. We read in the Histories of France, that several of our Princes would have been happy, had they not suffered themselves to be bewitched and possessed by the Love of Women. 'Tis a Softness that effeminates the Courage of a Hero, and extinguishes the Lustre of his sublimest Qualities.  
Though you, Sir, in the Height of your T'other-World-Gravity, (replied Madam de Maintenon) would fain make it out, That 'tis a Weakness for a Prince to love our Sex; yet we cannot forbear being so vain as to boast of it, when we make ourselves the domineering Mistresses of a Heart so transcending in Value. There is nothing so charming as to Reign, and for a Woman to see herself the Depository of all the Secrets and Favours of a Court; to preside, as it were, in Council, and to dispose of the good or bad Fortune of the Courtiers. If all your Accusations were true, you had some ground for what you say. But lay aside these morose Thoughts; you wrong the Magnanimous Heart, and Great Soul of our Monarch; nor are you acquainted with his Humour, while you subject his Absolute Will to Female Control. 'Tis true, he vouchsafes me some Proofs of his Esteem, in Acknowledgement of some Services that I have done him.—  
I see, Madam, (said Scarron) by your Discourses, that you take it for a Celestial Honour to be beloved by a King, and to find that all your Services are not repaid with Ingratitude. But here it is that I must tax ye with a rank Oblivion of that Faith and Oath which you so solemnly swore to me, before God and Men, That you would never— never forget me after my Death; never— have any more Traffic with the World. But I find now, that you are no less inveigled and transported with the Vanity and Pleasures of it, than a Girl of Eighteen: and that the dazzling Glitter of a Crown has made ye forget your Extraction; as being beholding to America for Primitive Daylight, and the first Minutes of your Life. 'Twas enough for you to have been contented with the Honour which I did ye, when I raised ye from the Dust of abject Meanness, and matched ye to our Illustrious Family, the most Ancient of all the Scarrons in Paris.  
'Tis true (replied Madam de Maintenon) that the Obligations which you heaped upon me were infinite; and I must as sincerely protest to ye, That my first Knowledge of the King was extremely Innocent. You know that after your decease, I kept my dark Chamber as disconsolate as the Ephesian Matron. But I was low, and knew not which way i'th' World to turn me: so that after I had long mused upon my sorrowful Destiny, I resolved to look out for a Service; and one of my Friends promised to procure me a Place to wait upon a Lady, if I would go into Portugal: which Damsel lived at that time with Madam de Montespan; with whom I was often admitted to Chat, when I went to visit my Friend, who did all she could to bring me into the good liking of her Mistress. One day that I discoursed with the Lady about Indifferent Matters, I perceived her to be well enough pleased with my Company; which infused into me so much Confidence, as modestly to beseech her to recommend me to some Person of Quality. How! Mademoiselle, cried she, would you go to Service?— Most gladly, said I,— for I can assure ye, without any Hyperbole, I was so cast down for loss of You, that I was for any thing in an honest way. At the same time, Madam de Montespan frequently received Letters from the King who then, and after that, most tenderly loved her. Being indisposed one Evening, she prayed me to answer him. I obeyed her, but not without difficulty, as thinking myself not fit to write to a Monarch. This Modesty of mine was quickly perceived by the King, who is infinitely Witty; and next Morning he asked of his Mistress why she had not writ to him? She answered, That she did according to Custom, the Pleasure of writing to him being too charming for her to neglect it. Ha! Madam (says His Majesty, laughing) the Complaisance of the Fair Sex is always acceptable to me; but tell me truly, who was it that did you that piece of Service? Madam de Moncespan answered without Ceremony, that I composed the Letter, and she copied it. From that moment, I tell you freely, His Majesty hath always evidenced a great Passion for me. Here is also the Copy of the first Letter which His Majesty wrote to me.  
The King's Letter to Madame de Maintenon.  
I Did not believe, most Incomparable Lady that after I had seen all the Charming Objects of the Court, there had been any thing in the World that could have touched me so sensibly. The strong Impressions which your rare Qualities have made upon me, convince me, and accordingly I speak it sincerely, That a King would be advanced to the highest pitch of Happiness, were he as much beloved by you as 〈◊〉 desires. Do not then oppose yourself my Fairest to that which may render me happy; and be firmly persuaded, that never any Man was so passionately in Love as I. The Pledges which I design to give you, my most An table Lady of a Love so sincere and tender, are of a very high Value, and merit your most tender Affections. The Crown and Sceptre which I lay at your Feet, my Aderable Lady, are sensible Proofs of the high Passion which I entertain for you, Farewell, my dearest Dear.  
And to engage me further (continues Madam Maintenon) his Majesty advanced me to the Quality of Lady-Governess to the Duke de Maine, his Brother the Count de Vexin, and the Mademoiselles de Tours and Nantes. You cannot imagine what trouble I had to resist all these obliging Methods which his Majesty made use of, to bring me to be what I am.  
To say the truth, An Ambition to re●●●● myself Glorious and Famed in the World, cancelled all the Impressions which my Duty, or Marriage-Covenant, had laid upon me; but I love you still, in spite of Death, which hath made a Separation betwixt us: And the greatest part of my Conversation with the King, is, upon the Loss I have sustained of such an Husband, who was the Glory of all the Wits of his Age.  
All those Arguments which you bring, Madam, (replies Scarron) to make your Innocence appear, don't justify you in the least; for you are still a faithless Woman, and I am unhappy to hear you continually talked of: The Public takes no notice of your private Treaty of Marriage, of which, look you, here is a True Copy.  
Scarron calls upon Rapivicre, and taking the Contract of Marriage, reads it before Madam de Maintenon.  
The Contract of the Private Marriage betwixt Lewis XIV. King of France and Navarr, surnamed, The Gift of God, and Frances d'Aubigne, Marchioness of Maintenon.  
THE Council of Conscience belonging to Lewis XIV. surnamed, The Gift of God, having most wisely considered that the said Prince, together with the Dauphine, hath sufficiently provided the Crown of France with Heirs, so that there's no reason to fear that it may fall to a Daughter, or that the Family of Bourbon should be extinguished for want of Heirs Males. And moreover, there being no Princess in Europe upon whom his Majesty casts his Eyes, in order to a second Marriage; and his Majesty besides thinking himself of such an Age, as it is not convenient for him to meddle any more with the Affairs of the World, because of the particular Care which he designs to take for the Quiet of his Conscience, and the Salvation of his Soul, by sacrificing unto God, from his Heart, all the criminal Passions which have turmoiled him from his Youth, till now.  
These weighty Considerations prevailed upon his Majesty, with the Approbation of his Confessor, to cast his Eyes upon Frances d'Aubigné, the Honestest, most Virtuous, and most Pious Woman of the Age, that he might contract a Secret Marriage with her; by virtue whereof, those Parties are inseparably united together before God, and Holy Mother Church: And thereupon, Lewis XIV. promises henceforth to renounce all Commerce which he hath, had, or might have with other Mistresses in time to come, and to acknowledge Frances de Anbigné, during the rest of his Life, for his true and lawful Spouse, to love her tenderly, and treat her with the same Respect as he did the late Queen Mary Therese, of happy Memory.  
On the other side, Frances d'Aubigné promises before God; and Holy Mother Church, to be Faithful to his Majesty, even to her Death; to Love and Obey him as a Faithful Spouse ought to do her Husband.  
His Majesty declares further, That on the Day of his Marriage he presents Frances d'Aubigné, his future Spouse, with the Marquisate of Maintenon, that she may carry the Title thereof during her Life; and doth also promise to found a Nunnery; under the Title of The Ladies of St. Cyr, whereof she shall be Directress.  
The said Frances d'Abvigné doth further engage, in consideration of the Honour which the King hath conferred upon her, by advancing her to the Dignity of the Queens of France, to endeavour with all imaginable Zeal, by the Assistance of the Reverend Father Lafoy Chaise, to extirpate the Hugonot-Heresie, whereby she may bring the Blessing of God upon his Majesty's glorious Reign, so that all France may have cause to rejoice in the happy Choice which his Majesty hath made of such a virtuous Spouse. Amen.  
You see, Madam, (says Scarron) that your Honour is not preserved by this Method: All the World look upon you for all this as a Harlot; and speak of your Amours with the King, as they do of those of his other Mistresses. Father La Chaise, formerly my Friend, hath persuaded you, that by this secret Treaty of Marriage, your Converse with the King would make less Noise; but his Design was, to destroy Madam de Montespan's Interest, who was his Enemy, and by this means he surmounts those Difficulties which stand in the way of his Designs, and at the same time secures himself of the King's Favour.  
And besides those specious Titles, of being Lady Abbess of St. Cyr, and Marchioness of Maintenon, both Eminent Qualities, make a great Noise in the World, and draw upon you insensibly all that People say of you.  
Ha! (cried Madam de Maintenon, in anger) who could reveal to you this Secret? You told me, Sir, that you hear News every day from this World, by those who arrive in yours: It could be none but the Marquis de Louvois: He acquainted you with this Contract of Marriage.  
Treacherous Villaian! This is but a sorry Acknowledgement of his Master's Royal Bounties, who spared nothing to raise his Fortune to the height, first Minister and Secretary of State, Commander and Chancellor of the Royal Order: Are not these very Honourable Titles? besides a thousand other Advantages which he received from his Majesty, who honours him still every day by a continual Regret for the Loss of him. It is true, the King has great need of his Assistance in this present Juncture, to bear a part of the Fatigue which he endures by this present War.  
This War, Madam, (answered Scarron) which the King maintains with so much heat, appears very unjust before our Judgee of the Lower World, and against the Sentiments of all disinterested Persons. That Prince having broke the Truce which he made with the Dutch for Twenty Years, banished all the Hugonots out of his Kingdom, revoked the Edict of France, and acted a thousand other things contrary to the Peace of a State.  
And not without good reason (continues Scarron) a part of those Mischiefs are chargeable upon you, supported by Father La Chaise, and the Archbishop of Paris, the sworn Enemies of the Public Peace; so that the Dauphin has but too much reason to hate you, and call you his Stepmother. You may remember many Affronts which you yourself put upon the Dauphiness, and which did not a little contribute to the Distemper that carried her off: And King James II. of England is also indebted to you for the loss of his Three Kingdoms by your pernicious Counsels.  
If the King has banished all the Hugonots from France (says Madam de Maintenon) it was only to immortalize his Name and Memory, according to the Examples of his Predecessors Charles IX. and Henry III. by endeavouring, as they did, to extirpate Heresy, the King having a true Zeal for the Service of God.  
The Reverend Father Lafoy Chaise, and all the Cabinet-Counsel, possessed him with the Apprehensions of a general Ruin impending over his Kingdom, if he did not entirely convert all those Heretics; and that he was never to expect the Blessing of God, if he did not bring back all those poor Souls to our Holy Mother the Church. The King, whose Zeal for the Catholic Religion is Exemplary, and which is altogether surprising in a Monarch who is at this day the Terror of Europe, and justly pretends that all other Sovereigns ought to submit to him, and hold of his Empire, subjects himself with a profound Obedience to all those things with which Piety inspires him. And by the Foundation of St. Cyr, this religious Prince has given a Proof how much Devotion has the Ascendant over him; for we may see that Holy Places, such as Churches, subsist much longer in the Minds of the People, than Palaces, and Houses for Civil Use.  
In the mean time, Madam, (answers Scarron) we see that for the most part, those Princes who have ruined their Countries and People, are those who have caused most Churches and Monasteries to be built; witness Justinian, who filled Italy and Greece with 'em, after he had ruined and pillaged all the Provinces of his Empire: And John Galeas, Duke of Milan, who founded the  of Pavia, the finest in Christendom. Devotion is not always the true Mark of the Virtue and Bounty of Princes.  
Charles IX. and Henry III. his Brother, being cruel Kings, Men of ill Conduct, and no Justice, yet were the greatest Bigots imaginable in every thing by which they could merit Heaven; as, going Barefoot on Pilgrimages, in Pentients Habit, in the Streets of Paris, wearing corpse Hoods, having Death's Heads embroidered upon their , and shutting themselves up in Oratories with Hermits; yet all this external Devotion could not hid their bad Lives, and ill Government. It's always Glorious for a King to show good Example to his Subjects; but Lewis XIV. is so far from doing so, that he imitates the Infidels in every thing.  
The strict Alliance betwixt the French Court and the Ottoman Port, makes it apparent, that that Prince follows the vicious Manners of the Turks; insomuch, that he copies their greatest Crimes, and has made himself a perfect Mussulman. We need go no further then St. Cyr, which may truly be called a Seraglio, under the Title of a Religious Nunnery; and I have no reason to doubt, Madam, that you are the scandalous Instrument of a thousand criminal Intrigues which that Prince carries on there.  
And by this means you also procure to yourself a great number of Creatures throughout the Kingdom, among those of Eminent Birth and Merit, who make their Court to you for an Alliance with those Ladies, in hopes of obtaining considerable Employments by your Favour.  
Ah! Sir (cries Madam de Maintenon) away with Thoughts so impious, and be not guilty of such an Outrage against the Modesty of that Holy Place. The King having entrusted me with the Conduct of that Spiritual Militia, you wound me sensibly, and sin also against the Virtue of that Religious Prince.  
'Tis the Noblest and most Glorious Charity that ever was heard of, to have so many young Damsels that want Estates, bred up at the Expense of that great Monarch; and though that agreeable Retirement be within a League of Versailles, it may well be called a Holy Solitude, where nothing troubles their Repose. There is nothing there of that Magnificence which is to be found in the Palaces of Kings, but a noble Simplicity is its chief Ornament, and yet there appears in the same a thousand beautiful Charms. When you see all those young Ladies, and hear them sing the Praises of Jesus with so much Modesty, you cannot but conceive an Idea of the blessed Angels, and holy Martyrs in Heaven; and to speak sincerely, there's no Religious-House where more of Order and Piety is to be seen.  
All things are so well disposed in that Society, that Idleness is entirely banished thence: There they pray to God Day and Night; and those Damsels seeing nothing but good Example, are bred incomparably better than they could have been in the most pious and regular Families. The King, who is the sole Founder of that School of Christianity, will always be the Admiration of his People; and by that Sacred Place, his Name and Memory shall be rendered Immortal.  
In fine, Madam, (replies Scarron,) seeing the time when I must leave you draws near, and that Rancune and Rapiniere, my Friends, do signify as much unto me, Pluto not having allowed us any more time than what I have spent with you, we cannot go beyond his Orders; and I observe also that Ragotin's Flambeaux is also burnt out. Make good Use of the Conversation which I have had with you; consider that your Life passes away like a Dream, and that in a little time you may be summoned before our severe Judges, Rhadamanthus and Minos, who will pronounce your Eternal Sentence.  
In what a terrible Condition will you find yourself, if you come to sojourn in the bottomless Abyss, for not having reflected seriously upon the Vainglory of the World, and the Counterfeit-Lustre which attends its Honour. I perceive you are engaged to follow the Course of the Great Ones; but if you have any remainder of Shame left, I advise you to sacrifice the Interest of the Court, and the King's Embraces, to your own Honour and mine: Retire into a Convent, as did La Valiere and spend the rest of your days in the Service of God. The King being accustomed to change, will treat you in the same manner as he hath done his other Mistresses.  
I assure you, Sir, (says de Madam Maintenon) that I have profited extremely by the good Advice which you have given me; and be persuaded, that neither the Splendour of the Crown, nor the Glory of the Court, shall hinder me from acknowledging the Changeableness and Inconstancy of this present Life; and I am very well satisfied, that nothing can be better said, than what you have now spoken.  
You are still the same for solid Reasoning, and have lost nothing of that sublime and patherick Wit which procured you the Adoration of all your Hearers. I wish that the Time allowed you were longer, that I might enjoy your dear Presence: But seeing it is weak to wish for Impossibilities, I had rather improve the precious Moment's which remain; and I assure you, that I shall never lose the Idea nor Remembrance of all your Kindnesses.  
The Moral which you have made use of to make me sensible of them, hath made a very great Impression upon my Heart; but as to your Advice, of retiring into a Convent, 'tis impossible; for I am wedded to the King by indissoluble Bonds, and neither fear Change nor Disgrace, having taken such just Measures, that nothing but Death is capable to make a Separation; and moreover, I am more Sovereign than ever the late Queen was. But I can also tell you, That I never observed such a Changeable inclination in that Prince as you imagine: He always loved those very passionately, who had the good fortune to please him. I remember, that as to Mademoiselle Mademoiselle de Fontange, the King said, one day, to the Duke of St. Agnan, That he was never so much in Love, and that according to all appearance, he should never change.— But, Sir, (continueth Madam de Maintenon) I would willingly have some News concerning that beautiful Damsel, and what Rank she keeps in Pluto's Kingdom of Darkness; for I can assure you, that his Majesty was extremely grieved at her Death.  
Madam, (says Scarron) I can tell you no other News of Mademoiselle de Fontange, but that she continually complains of you. The Prince, and the Marquis de Louvois look upon you as a wretched Woman, and say that you caused her to be poisoned, which has procured you a very bad Name in those dark Regions.  
Proserpina our Queen, was not grieved when she saw that beautiful Nymph arrive in her Kingdom; for she is now the greatest Ornament of her Court, and chief Maid of Honour.  
In truth Sir, (answers Madam de Maintenon) I want Words to express my Astonishment, there must be some fatality in my Lot, for true or false I am always reckoned guilty of whatever Mischiefs happen at Court. But Heaven is the Witness of my Innocence.  
Madmemoiselle de Fontange, the Prince of Conti, and the Marquis de Louvois, have had their Enemies since they believe themselves to have been poisoned; but being so Great Masters of Reason as they were, methinks they ought to have considered that Death spares none, of what Quality, Age or Sex soever. I think I have read that the Pagans erected Altars to all their Deities, and being asked once on a time, Why they had not erected one to Death, they answered Because he was inexorable. I have still one thing of Importance to say to you before we part, which I did not think on. You must know, Sir, that the Reverend Fathers the Jesuits had no sooner perceived my being in Favour with the King, but they resolved to gain me to their Party, they accosted me with all manner of Civility and Submission, against which I was not able to stand out. They ordered the Reverend Fathers Lafoy Chaise and Bourdalon, to praise me to his Majesty, and to insinuate, that he could never have made a better Choice, nor one more worthy of his Conversation than he had done; by which those Religious Fathers gained so much upon that Prince, that I found myself obliged to receive their Visits daily, and to testify my Satisfaction therewith.  
I confess to you, that I had a Confidence in that Order, and therefore chose one o● them for the Director of my Conscience, and could have been content to have born the Title of a Lady of the Society of Jesus ●… and since that time Father La Chaise ha● been my Confessor in Ordinary, insomuch that being at Confession one day, I pray'● him to pardon all those Sins which I might commit with the King; and for this end I discovered to him all the Secrets of my Heart. He was so far from blaming me, that he assured me I was not at all Culpable, and that it was no Crime to entertain an Amorous Correspondence with the oldest Son of the Church, but that I must comply with that Monarch in such things as he was most sensibly delighted with; that those things which were called Sins with other Men, were not so in regard of Kings and Princes; that God had set them above the rest of Mankind, that they might prescribe Laws to themselves; and that it was not lawful for any man to Control them, but that their Subjects were bound to pay emblind Obedience.  
Just so, Madam, (says Scarron) Sinners do generally flatter themselves, and find out Expedients to Extenuate their Gild; but one may eternally Damn themselves by such a dangerous Practice, and those are the admirable Lessons which the Reverend Fathers the Jesuits teach their Penitents of both Sexes; can one then make use of the Sacred Tribunal which ought to be an Asylum for the Salvation of Souls to destroy them utterly? I am not now surprised at your having given up yourself with so much Freedom to satisfy his Majesty's Desires, since you have so rare a Secret, and such excellent Instructions from the Reverend Father Lafoy Chaise, who tells you, that you may entertain an amorous Correspondence without any scruple, and not be so much as guilty of the least Venial Sin in so doing; that is the rare Morality which he learned from Father du Vaux his Tutor in Philosophy, who hath since that, been advanced to the highest Preferments in the Order. 'Tis to him that he owes this fine Education and the Advancement of his Fortune. I wonder much, how those Doctors, who are apparently the Guides to Salvation and Lights of the Church, can reconcile this Conduct with the solemn Vows they are under to maintain Chastity.  
But the Reverend Fathers have a certain sort of finespun Morality, which they don't teach publicly in the Schools; for in truth, as they say, It is not Convenient that all the World should know it, and therefore they keep it in Reserve for Great Wits, and such as are capable of relishing the same. These are the Mysteries which make them so much admired. Behold here what one of the sublime Doctors says.  
Then Scarron taking the Register from Rancune showed Madam de Maintenon the Morals of the Reverend Fathers the Jesuits.  
When a man finds himself extremely pressed with the Rebellion of the Flesh, and and that an occasion offers for an Amorous Rancounter, if he distrust his own Weakness, and be afraid that he shall not be able to prevent his falling into the same, that Person is guilty of no Crime, if he keep his whole Intrigue secret to avoid worse.  
Here is also another Remark of their Doctor Escobar, If you cannot prevent your Loving of Women, it is not so much as the least Venial Sin to give yourself up to Love, for I know that it acts upon People with great Violence, and sometimes puts them out of an Estate of Salvation. St. Francis Xavier, one of their most famous Religious Persons, hath fully informed us of it during his Life, by all the Torments which he suffered; and therefore he says very Judiciously, That every man who sins after having reasoned a little, his Faults are pardoned, though with some more difficulty. Behold the Divinity of the Holy Fathers of the Society, and the secret Doctrine which they teach their Disciples!  
Scarron having signified to Madam de Maintenon by bowing his Head, that he was not allowed to say any more, being pressed by Rancune and Rapiniere to return to their shady Palace, left the Heroess in a profound Trance, reflecting continually upon the Conversation which she had had with him, and the sensible Reproaches wherewith he had upbraided her.  
Ha! (says she) if all the Ladies of Pleasure which I know, and who have lost their Husbands, had such Visions as these, they would not take so much care to conceal their Intrigues; and if the King knew the Vexation that I am in at present, I am sure he would be touched with it, but he does not expect such an Extraordinary piece of News.  
In this manner Madam de Maintenon passed the Night without being able to sleep; next Morning La Caverne her Maid entered her Chamber as usual; and asked her Lady what she would have her to do. The Marchioness answered in a discomposed manner, That as soon as she was dressed, she would go to St. Cyr. Some hours after she took Coach to go to the Abbey, where St. Lewis' Ladies received her with incredible Joy, because they had been deprived of her presence for eight days time, that she had been taken up with the King's Affairs, and particularly the Ball which the Duke of Orleans gave in the Royal Palace. Our Heroess having considered a little of what she had to do, took a general Review of that sine House, and was saluted by all the Damsels with a Charming Modesty, who accompanied her four and four abreast to the Church, to hear Mass.  
The King, who is always impatient where he loves, bethinking himself that he had not seen his Mistress in a long time, slew to give her a Visit, without any Consideration of St. Cyr. Into her Closet he went; and having saluted her after his usual manner, that is to say very tenderly, he recounted to her all the Pleasure he had taken at the Ball, imperfect only in this, that he could not enjoy her Company till the end of it, and then asked her why she went away so soon: telling her withal, That had she stayed but a little longer, she might have seen the pleasantest and most delightful Disguizes in the World; for that the twelve English young Lords who were sent by King James in the Dress of Quakers, escaped a most terrible Danger; for that in making their way through all the Flambeaux that lighted that numerous Assembly, they missed but very narrowly of being every one of 'em sacrificed to the Sport of the Night.  
You may have probably observed, Madam, (continued the King) in the History of France, what befell Charles VI upon the like Occasion, at the Nuptials of one of the Queen's Maids of Honour. At what time, some of the Noblemen dancing masqueraded in the Shape of Bears, the Duke of Orleans holding down a Flambeau to look upon their Noses, set fire to the Linen that was joined together with Pitch. Presently the Room was all in Flame and Affright; the People crowded one upon another to get out, some cried, God save the King; but the Duchess of Berry covered the King with the Skirt of her Gown, and preserved him from the fiery Torrent. You see (said the King, siniling) how useful Women are in this Life; for that by their Assistance we many times escape great Dangers.  
Oh— Sir, (answered Madam de Maintenon) if all Men had the same savourable Sentiments of us, we should not be so much slighted as we are at this day. But we find that there are many Persons no way inconsiderable for their merit, who strongly oppose your Kind Opinion of us, while they assert, That Women are the cause of all the Mischiefs and Misfortunes that happen in the World.  
Perhaps, (said the King) those Persons have not been able to pay Fortune a sufficient Salary, to procure 'em the Favours of the Female Sex. For my part I can assure ye, Madam, that were it not for Women, my Life would be but very burdensome to me. 'Tis the sweetest of all those other Pleasures that slatter our Senses. Which therefore seems to me, to be the reason, why Nature foreseeing that we would make 'em the Objects of our Adoration, formed 'em so amiable as they are.  
The King would have continued this Discourse, but he was interrupted by one of his Gentlemen, who brought him Letters from the Duke of Luxemb●rgh and Mashall de Bou●●lers. So that his Majesty immediately took Coach and returned to Versailles: where after he had spent some time in reading his Letters and returning Answers, He began again to reflect upon the Melancholy Humour wherein he found his Mistress. For in truth she had appeared to him to be incredibly cast down; so that the mighty Monarch not being able to penetrate the real Causes of such an Extraordinary Pensiveness, wrote her the following Lines.  
The King's Letter to Madam de Maintenon.  
DId I not Love ye, so well as I do, (Madam) I should never busy myself to study with so much attention what could afflict ye to that degree of Discomposure which I last beheld in your Countenance. But whatsoever pains I take to find it out. I cannot possibly divine the Rea● Cause. You know how well I love ye, and that there is nothing I will spare to satisfy your Revenge upon your Enemies. Adieu, Madam; speedily let me know whatever it is that grieves ye, for I am Impatient till I understand what it may be.  
The King gave this Letter to one of his Pages, with Orders to carry it to Madam de Maintenon, who joyfully received it, and returned this Answer to it.  
Madam de Maintenon's Letter to the King.  
OH! my dear Prince, in what an Ecstasy am I, to find that you concern yourself so deeply in my Grief. 'Tis true, that I conceal the Real Motives of my Disquiet: but there are some Secrets in this Life which we cannot unfold but with some kind of Torture; and this, of which you seek so earnestly to be informed, is that of Nature. I can say nothing farther in This: but I shall reserve all my Eloquence, till I happen to be alone in your Presence.  
Our Marchioness folded up her Letter with a more than Ordinary Curiosity, and sent it to the King, who read it two or three times, but all in vain; for he could not find what he sought with so much earnestness. The next Morning, his Majesty went to St. Germains, to visit the King and Queen of England, attended by several of the Nobility.  
Madam de Maintenon who had intelligence of it, failed not to be there also in company with Mademoiselle de Luine, and Mademoiselle de Soubise, the most witty and most obliging Persons in the World. But the King was not presently to be spoken with, and therefore while he was discoursing with King James and the Queen, M. de Maintenon went to walk with the Ladies. At what time, rambling from one thing to another, at ●●●●th they sell by degree; to talk of the little Cupids of Marble that flood in the midst of the Garden And then it was, that Mademoiselle de Luine, who is a Lady of a bri●k humour, asked Madam de Maintenon why Poets and Painters had to ill represented Love in the Figure of a Child; and what use he made of his Flambeau, and the Fillet about his Eyes; and that it would have been much more proper to have painted him a Young Man full grown, and in his flourishing Years.  
This Pleasant Question of Mademoiselle de Luine put the Ladies into a fit of Laughter. You are as yet too young, Fair Lady, replied our Marchioness, to make a true Comment upon all the Figure that you see. Pardon me therefore, if I undertake to unfold these Mysteries, and satisfy your Scruples. This Infant is a perfect Emblem of Love; that Passion in some respects being Weakness and Childhood itself, and in others mere Dotage and Foppery: As for the Swath about his Eyes, it denotes his Blindness, which is not able to discern those things that are most proper and convenient for him. The Flambeau signifies that violent Heat which burns us in the most sensible Part of the Body, which is the Heart.  
Well, Madam, (cried Mademoiselle the Luine) I shall take care, I warrant ye, to keep my Heart from being burned by any such Flambeau's as that. 'twill be very well, my dear Darling, (replied our Her●ess) if you can. How far this discourse might have led 'em no body c●n tell, for the Subject was alluring enough, but the King meeting 'em at the end of a wide Alley, put an end to it, and the Ladies taking another way, left the two Lovers by themselves together. The King thus finding himself alone with his Mistress: Oh, Madam, (said he) you have too unkindly prolonged my Languishing Desires to know the unhappy Occasion of your so deeply Afflicting Sorrows. You know the tenderness that I have for ye; and therefore you cannot, without a great deal of Injustice, conceal any thing from me.  
'Tis very true, Sir, (answered M. de Maintenon) your Majesty's Kindness and Affection have been so singular toward me, that there is nothing which I can or aught to hid from your knowledge. Give me then leave to tell ye, that the other Night returning from the Ball, after I had been meditating a while in my Chamber, I heard a noise; but much more Terrible was my sudden Astonishment to behold the Ghastly Appearance before my Eyes of Monsieur Scarron and three of his Friends.  
How! Madam, (said the King) do the Dead then begin to rise before we come to the End of the World.  
I know not that, Sir, (replied Madam de Maintenon) but I am sure, to no Comfort of mine, God knows, I was constrained to hold a Dialogue with him for above Two Hours.  
'Twas long enough in all Conscience, (answered the King) for a Man without Flesh and Bones; but all this while, what said the Ghost to ye?  
Oh, Sir, (replied Madam de Maintenon) the most grievous things, and the most abusive and scandalous things that ever were heard. He Reproached me with an unparalleled Confidence, that I had violated my Faith and Oath which I swore to him before God and Men; and that being beloved by your Majesty, I was looked upon both on Earth, and in the Infernal Court, as a Woman without Reputation, or in plain Terms a Harlot; and that Pluto, the Prince of the Abyss, has threatened already (the Holy Virgin keep me out of his Clutches) to make me feel the Effects of his Fury; and that France was beholding for all the Mischiefs and Calamities that had befallen her of late, to the dangerous and pernicious Counsels which I gave your Majesty.  
But that which most surprised me was, that he showed me the Contract of Marriage, by which you were so Good and Gracious as to espouse me to your Person; nor can I imagine how this Fantom could come by such a piece of Secrecy, and which your Majesty took such care to conceal. For my part, I must positively accuse the Marquis of Louvois, who most certainly has betrayed your Majesty in the Kingdom of Darkness. And for a further Accumulation of Grief upon Sorrow, he told me, That the Prince of Conti, Mademoiselle de Fontange, and the Marquis of Louvois, assured him, that I had caused 'em to be poisoned. Can any Man have said any thing more Extravagant or more Injurious.  
Madam, (replied the King) I am somewhat at a loss what Answer justly to return ye upon the Discoveries you have made me; nor can I readily believe these Things to be real: 'Tis only a Vision which perhaps you may have had in your Sleep, proceeding from some little Kindness which you may still retain for the Memory of that good Man.  
Sir, (answered Madam de Maintenon) all that I have told ye is most certainly true: neither was I ever looked upon to be a Visionary.  
But, Madam, (replied the King) you made mention of the Marquis of Louvois; now you know that he has been a long time in the other World, and 'tis impossible the Dead should know what is done in this.  
Oh— Sir, (said Madam de Maintenon) I was always of the same Belief as well as you; but M. Scarron showed me a large Register, which la Rancune brought along with him, wherein are contained all the most Secret Actions of Mortals.  
At the Word Rancune, which signifies Hatred and Malice, the King fell a Laughing; and asked her, whether she knew what the Name signified.  
Sir, (said Madam de Maintenon) never believe the Names of Rancune, R●piniere, and Rag●uti● to be sained like the Names of the Persons in a Comedy. For they were M. Scarron's very good Friends that always kept him Company in this World.  
Why then it seems they take Journeys at pleasure from the other World hither, (continued the King, with some kind of Astonishment.) And yet if I could see once more the Men and Women which I have lost, it would be a Pleasure to me beyond imagination. But I believe it not so easy a thing to rise from the Dead; and yet methinks I could be willing to hear some Tidings of poor Mademoiselle the Fontange.  
Sir, (answered Madam de Maintenon) 'tis a thing that I have studied to bring to pass as much as any thing in the World, well knowing thereby, that I should oblige your Majesty; for I am convinced of the passionate Love which you had for her; but I was troubled that she had such an ill Opinion of me.  
It may be, Madam, (said the King) 'twas only a Scandal which that same Aesep raised of himself. I always looked upon Mademoiselle de Fontange to be too prudent to harbour any such groundless Thoughts; and for your part, Madam, I am sure 'tis impossible but you must be innocent of so heinous a Crime.  
However, Sir, (replied Madam de Maintenon) all this while I suffer in my Reputation, and in regard that M. Scarron told me, how that beautiful Nymph is looked upon with an Eye of Favour at the Infernal Court, and that she is one of Queen Proserpine's Minions, she may say what she pleases.  
These are Trifles, Madam, (said the King) not worth your Thoughts. I rather am afraid lest Pluto should fall in Love with her, and consequently, lest the poor Lady should incur Proserpine's Displeasure, the ready way to bring upon her Head the dire Effects of Proserpine's revengeful Jealousy.  
I do not believe, Sir, (replied Madam de Maintenon) that those sooty Deities are capable of such a noble Passion.  
How!— Madam, can a Person so witty, as you are, be ignorant how the Deities of old pined away and languished in the Fetters of beautiful Women! Their amorous Transports are known to all the World. Did not Jupiter, chief Sultan of all the Deities, transform himself into a Thousand Shapes, even of Beasts themselves, to bring about the Designs of his Concupiscence: and all the other Demi-Deities, did they not imitate him with extraordinary Delight? If Venus' little Baby had the confidence to discharge his Quiver into Heaven, What Reason is there to believe that Mortals are not sensible of his Wounds?  
I find Love, (continued the King) the most Noble of all the Passions: without it the World could never subsist. If I love an Admirable Object, I know I do no more than what my Predecessors did, being as little Insensible as they.  
For this Reason it is, (replied Madam de Maintenon) that I blame the King of Barathrum, and all his Subjects, for being so saucy as to make your Amours their Hell-discourse. I know, the time was once when Pluto was in Love himself; and 'tis not unlikely but that some new Beauty may inflame his Heart at this very time.  
What you say, Madam, may very well be; but I know that the Prince of Darkness can never gain the Affection of Women. He was always so Deformed, and so ill a Courtier withal, that there was ne'er a Hat-nosed, Blubber-liped Nymph in the Roll of Antiquity, but scorned him. One Day therefore, in the height of his Despair, he bullyed away Proserpina by force, as she was picking Daisies in a Meadow: and therefore I set myself above a Thousand petty Railleries' that they can put upon me, let 'em criticise as much as they please. I remember the Duke of Mazarin, who counterfeited a World of Godliness, desired a Private Audience of me one Day; I consented: but all the while he held me in a long Story of a Vision of his, That the Kingdom would be turned Topsy turvy if I did not quit the Company of la Vallicre; adding withal, that he admonished me by a particular Commission from God. And I, (said I) advise ye to take a particular Care of your Brains which are in a very sad Condition, and to restore me all that your Uncle robbed me of.  
The Duke made a low Congé, and sneaked away. By and by comes to me Father Anat, my Confessor, egged on by the Queen, to tell me, That he would leave the Court, for that my Trading in Love made too great a Noise. I smiled, and bid him take his Liberty. But then the poor Father, finding himself taken at his Word, would said have turned Cat in Pan; but I told him, my Curate would serve my Turn for the present.  
You cannot believe, Madam, how all his Order teaz'd him for being such a Ninny. I cannot endure such a Number of Hypocrites, that take a Pride in reforming others, but spare for nothing to gratify their own Pleasures. For my part, I love Liberty in this Life.  
The King, who was in a good Humour, would have gone on, but he was obliged to return to Versailles with the Lords and Gentlemen that attended him.  
After he was gone, Madam de Maintenon went to join the Ladies again, who were diverting themselves in a Terrace Walk, at a distance off.  
Ah, Madam, (said Mademoiselle de Soubise, what a while have you been discoursing with the King.  
I assure ye, (replied our Marchioness) I never i' my Life saw our Monarch in so good a Humour.  
All the Reason i' th' World, Madam, (replied Mademoiselle the Luine) for you inspire him always with Jocundry and Blitheness.  
No, no, my Dear, (said Madam de Maintenon) 'tis not from my Influences that he derives his Gaiety.— But here she stopped.— Her Lackey came to tell her, that the Coach attended at the Gate, and she had a mind to be at Versailles that Night.  
But for all this, Madam de Maintenon could not be rid of her Melancholy. Her Husband had left her, but the Dialogue still continually haunted her.  
The next Day she went to wait upon the King at his Hour of rising: And after they had discoursed together of several Things, she told him with a sad and lamentable Air, That she could not Sleep for the Phantom that was always hover before her Eyes; and that her Soul was in great Disorder.  
The King, whose Heart is very Tender and Compassionate, in respect of his Mistresses, bid her go to their Common Confessor, Father La Chaise, and impart her Afflictions to him.  
Immediately Madam de Maintenon called one of her Pages, and sent him away Post to Paris, to tell the Reverend Priest, he was to attend the King. But he was not to be sound; for he was gone to refresh himself with his Creature Enjoyments, at his House in the Fauxburgh St. Anthony. So that the Page returned as wise as he went.  
Thereupon Madam de Maintenon, without any more ado, made bold with the King's Closet; where, in a short time, she wrote the following Note, and sent it away with all speed: For her Conscience was all this while upon the Rack.  
The Marchioness of Maintenon's Letter to the Reverend Father La Chaise.  
AT length, Reverend Father, after long Musing upon the unfortunate Accident that has befallen me, I have cast my Eyes upon you, as the Person from whom I expect my Deliverance; being fully persuaded that you can rid me of the Torment which I undergo. 'Tis not any Politic Affair nor any Intriegue that I am driving on, which engages me to send you these Lines. My Sufferings are inward, my Soul is harras'd with Remorse of Conscience. Hasten then to me with all possible speed, dear Father; for you alone can procure the Peace and Tranquillity of my Soul.  
The Page was no sooner arrived, but one of Father La Chaise's Lackeys carried him into a Cabinet hung with Forrest Work, where were also present the Bishop of Paris, and several other Persons of Quality.  
So soon as the Father saw the Messenger, he smiled, believing he had some Message to deliver to him from the King. To which the Page replied, That he was sent from Madam de Maintenon, to deliver him that Letter.  
'Tis all one; (said the Reverend Father) for Tidings either from the One or the Other, are equally grateful. And so reading the Note, with an Air of Satisfaction, he told the Page, that he would speedily do himself the Honour of going to affure the King and Madam de Maintenon of his most humble Respects and Readiness to serve 'em. And indeed the Reverend Father took no small delight to let all the Company see the Esteem and Tenderness which he had for that virtuous Lady, by expaciating into a Panegyric upon the glistering Virtues that adorned her Mind.  
And certainly it may be said, without any Aggravation, that among all the Clergy of France, there never was a Person that understood so well to comply with all the Humours, all the Fegaries, and all the Intrigues of the Court of Lewis XIV. with so much Wit, so much Policy, and so much Dissimulation. No wonder then that having so many Sleights and Ways to gain a Prince's Heart, we see him towering in so high a Sphere of Prosperity, and the Envy of his whole Order, who see him almost the sole Possessor of the King's Ear, and by that means, with Ease surmounting all Obstacles that oppose his Designs.  
Being then so eminent and so great a ●erson, let us wait upon him to Versail●s; where he arrived at what time the King was in company with Madam de Maintenon. The King no sooner saw him, but reaching forth his Hand for him to Kiss, Father, (said he) you are she most Happy among Men; you were wished for here with a more than ordinary Passion; every Hour was thought ●… Day till you came.  
Sir, (replied the Reverend Father) with a Monkish Humility, all the Happiness that I have in this World, is to be beloved by your Majesty.  
The King was pleased with his Compliment, and bid him take his Place. Their first Discourse was about the present Affairs; but that being soon over, the Father turning toward our Marchioness, In truth, Madam, (said he) I have a long time had an extreme desire to enjoy the Happiness of your Presence: Father Bourdalon has Preached two or three times, but you never wouchsafed him the Honour to hear him; which did not a little surprise me, knowing your Devotion to be so exemplary.  
Truly Father, (replied Madam de Maintenon) I have been forced to kee● my Chamber for some time, not finding myself very well: Besides, I an● fallen into a deep Melancholy that very much disturbs my Mind.  
May not the Cause, Madam, of s● much Grief, (replied the Reveren● Father) be enquired into, and whenc● it derives its Original?  
Assuredly, Father, (said the March●●oness) I am firmly convinced, That the●● is nothing that one of your true Penitents ought to conceal from your Knowledge; and that we ought to apply ourselves to you, as to the real Comforte● of our Souls. I'll tell ye then what ' ●… that thus torments me. Monsieur Scarron is returned from the other World, and has laid those Things to my Charge● that pierce my very Heart: For he told me, That he could not be admitted into Eternal Rest, for that I had neglected him after his Death, not having caused Masses and Prayers to be said for him sufficient to release him out of his present Misery. And this is that which afflicts me extremely, that I should be the Cause of his Sufferings in Purgatory.  
I must confess, Madam, (said the ●ather) you tell me very sorrowful News— But pray Madam, how ●ong has he been Dead?  
As far as I can remember, Father, replied the King) he died that very Year that I was married to the deceased Queen, which was in 1660.  
Then, Sir, (answered the Reverend Father) we may reckon it to be about Thirty four Years that this poor Soul has been in fiery Tribulation. Good Soul!— sufficiently Purisyed!— A Martyr in Purgatory.— We must intorm the Pope, that we may get him Canorined.  
His Holiness, Father, might do well to put him in the Calendar of Saints, and order his Bones, as a new Discovery, to be carried to all the Churches in Christendom. But pray tell me,— Is there a time limited for us to be in Purgatory?  
Sir, (answered the Father) we have no certain time appointed for our Sufferings. We are confined to this Place, according to the demerits of our Crimes, For a longer or shorter time, sufficient to purge us from all our Transgressions and Sins committed in this World: For the Scripture tells us, That no Defilement can enter the Kingdom of Heaven.  
But that which very much surprize● me, (said our Heroess) is, that M. Scarron should be so long detained in this same Mansion of Pain; for I always found him to be a merry Soul indeed but full of Piety and Devotion: Besides the good Man, being seized with a paralytic Distemper, lived many Year without the Use of his Limbs; by which means God gave him time enough to Repent.  
Repentance, Madam, (replied Father lafoy Chaise,) is the only means to obtain the Mercy of God. But in regard that as I told ye before, we must for all that, suffer out our Sufferings in the Place appointed for the perfect Expiation o● our Sins, I advise ye to use your utmost Efforts for this Martyr; to give Money speedily to two or three Churches, to say a sufficient Number of Masses for his Deliverance: 'Tis the surest way to get his Soul admitted into Paradise. You must also yourself be continually at your Prayers to the Holy Virgin and all the Saints, that they will vouchsafe to put up their Petitions for him.  
What think ye, Father, (cried Madam de Maintenon) if I should undertake a Pilgrimage to our Lady of Deliverance, or perform some other Penance to get this wand'ring Soul out of Torment with all the speed that may be. I would fain have him, I cared not how soon, in the Saints Everlasting Rest, rather than be troubled with him here upon Earth  
Lord! Madam, (cried the Reverend Father) what Religious, what Charitable Sentiments are these for a Woman of this World, and in your Prosperity. But I sinned that you have still an unexhaustible Spring of Piety in your Heart.  
Alas! Father, (said Madam de Maintenon, with an extraordinary Air of Modesty, I am not so Devout as you take me to be.— The World,— the World, Father, will get the upperhand in spite of all Reluctancy,— and I am continually waging War with the Rebellions of my Flesh—  
Madam, (answered the Father, fetching a deep Sigh) we shall never be perfect till we get to Heaven, where we shall meet with no more Trials and Temptations of this Life.  
I am apt to believe, Father, (interrupted the King with a Smile,) that we have been at a Sermon: You have preached to us the best Morality i'the World. Nothing grieves me, but that I fear me it will have so strong an operation upon Madam de Maintenon, that she'll forget all the Pleasures of this Life, and we shall lose her in these Divine Contemplations.  
I will tell ye, Sir, (answered the Marchioness) that there is an unexpressible Joy to be met with, in the solid Contemplation of the Divine Mysteries. For my part I no longer wonder that so many Souls of the Saints have been transported to Heaven in Raptures and Enthusiasms. But this same Zeal. God knows, is not perfect in us; so that we may say, that we always feel in our Heart, something that opposes right Reason  
Observe, Father. (said the King) that Madam de Maintenon never proposes any Argument, but she also supports it with a Philosophical Proof, with so much Strength, and Solid Reason, that Plato could have done no more. In all these Lovely Arguments, continued the King, beholding our Heroess with a wistful Eye, How pleasant it is to hear a Person so witty as you are, argue so Pathetically. In good earnest, I find the Fate of Men is very Frail, in reference to the Female Sex. But who can help it? The Author of Nature having given 'em a sensible Heart, and Senses capable to receive all Impressions, how is it possible for 'em to resist so many Enemies? So that 'tis no wonder, if many times, in despite of our own Wills and Consents, we suffer ourselves to be surprised.  
'Tis very true, Sir, said the Reverend Father, that there it is where Human Weakness shows itself, and in that we are more unfortunate than Criminal, since we are not able, as your Majesty well observes, to Triumph over those Senses of ours, that without Intermission oppose our Will. I sinned nothing in all St. Paul's Theology, that better agrees with the Frailty of Human Creatures, then when he says, that when he would do Good, evil is with him; but that he finds another Law that hinders him from doing what he would.  
Father, replied Madam de Maintenon, you have exactly hit the meaning of that Great Apostle, I am charmed with this Discourse, nor do I care how long it were to continue. But in regard his Majesty has already Laughed at me, for taking so much pleasure in these seeming Enthusiasms, I am afraid of provoking him, and rendering myself in some measure troublesome.  
No, no— Madam, replied the King smiling, I am too great a Lover of what you delight in, to oppose your Holy Recreations. Besides, that a Converse wherein you intermix so much of your own Wit, and so engaging, can never be otherwise then most agreeable to me.  
Sir, said our Marchioness, I am infinitely beholding to your Majesty for that Esteem with which you Honour me; and I return thanks to Heaven for my Good Fortune, and for that inestimable Minute, wherein I had the Felicity to obtain your Favour. But your Majesty always exercises a sort of Goodness natural to your Royal Inclination, which is to excuse all the Defects of the most humble your Servants.  
The King was about to have returned an Answer, but a Page brought Word, that the Cloth was laid. So that, now they minded nothing but Eating and pleasant Discourse. The King began the Reverend Confessor's Health; and he carried it to Madam de Maintenon, who received it very obligingly. Dinner being over, Father Lafoy Chaise, who has the Honour to accompany the King every day at Dinner, took his Leave of the King, alleging the necessity of his Return to Paris to his Professed House, where he gives Audience twice or thrice a Week to several persons of all Conditions that come to kiss his Hands.  
Said the King to him, I give you leave to go home, but upon Condition that you return in the Evening. Upon which the Father Transported with the King's Civility, displayed his Acknowledgement by a profound Reverence, and a Humility attended with an extraordinary Respect.  
After he was gone, the King went to Fontainbleau, with the Duke of Orleans, and the Dauphin to make a Hunting Match in the Forest of Vincennes. In the mean time, our Heroess retired to her Chamber, to muse at Leisure upon her intended Pilgrimage to our Lady of Deliverance. But before her departure, she stayed three Weeks in her Abbey, from whence she went every morning in the Habit of a Penitent to the Great Church of Paris, to Order the saying of Masses for the Ghost of Scarron, attended only by La Caverne, who waited on her in her Chamber.  
But the Marchioness was not contented with a Legion of Orisons, which she caused to be powered forth in the Cathedral; for she set all the Devout People at Work in several other Churches; more particularly at St. Eustachius', and the Abbey of St. Lewis, for whom she had a secret Veneration. After all these Mortisiations, she went the next day to St. Cyr, to prepare the Ladies of the Abbey, and all the young Damsels to live in her absence, with great Reservedness, and with all the Discretion imaginable, giving 'em to that purpose the most admirable Precepts in the World. They took their Leaves of her, full of Sorrow and Affliction for their Cruel Separation from her dear Presence. And at length, when those doleful Compliments and Formalities were over, she took Coach with La Caverne, in Order to her Travels, which were to be for a Month. 'Tis not to be imagined, what Floods of Tears her Absence cost the whole Society; but then the sorrowful Sisters solaced themselves again, with the hopes of their beloved Abbesses Return in a short time: Assuring themselves, that her Virtue and her Devotion would secure her from all Attempts upon her Person, either of her incensed Husband, or Pluto himself.  
The King, who stayed at Versailles, with an incredible Impatience to see his Mistress before she departed, could not readily resolve to want her Company for so long a time; and disputed warmly with himself, whither or no he should grant her Request. But as he was musing and pondering upon this mournful Journey, for by that Name he called it; the rather, because his Majesty was no Admirer of Penances and Pilgrimages, Madam de Maintenon made her Entry, to pay him her last adieus, with a Sorrow surpassing all Expression.  
The King Embracing her, Ah, Madam said he, how dear will this Absence of yours cost me! Those Words went to the Marchionesses heart, and overcame her with such a piercing Disconsolation, that for a time she could not speak.  
The King, who had his Reasons for what he did, had let fall this on purpose. For he knew that she stood in need of his Assistance upon several occasions.  
Before they parted for good and all, Madam de Maintenon settled all his Majesty's Suspicions, by a thousand charming Protestations. The Reverend Father Lafoy Chaise, who by good luck Arrived just in the nick of time, bestowed au infinite Number of Benedictions upon her, to encourage her in her Noble design: Assuring her, that he would not cease to offer up his Prayers to God, and all the Male and Female Saints, that they would be pleased to depute a good Angel to be her Companion and Conductor, and that he hoped the Success of her Pilgrimage would be greatly to her Glory. Adding withal, that it was a good Office of a high Nature, which she was going to do for her Husband. Thus it was, that Pyramus and Thisbe separated with mutual assurances, never to be forgetful of each other.  
The Father, who was an Ear Witness of all these Protestations, stayed behind with the King, discoursing for some time about the Marriage of Boufflers with Mademoiselle de Gramont, the Daughter of Antony Charles, Duke of the same Name, and whose Dowry was no less than 40000 Livres, besides a Magnificent Present from the King in Jewels; and some talk of several other considerable Emoluments.  
But let us return to our Monarch, who was extremely turmoiled and uneasy to be so long a Widower, as one that was never Idle in his Amours. Therefore, to pass time away, he went every day to St. Germains, to Visit the Queen of England. He found that Princess well Built and very Charming, and that she had a Heart not altogether insensible of his Caresses. And indeed, her deplorable Condition, after her Husband had lost his Crown, caus'd her to entertain the Caresses of our Monarch, with a more than ordinary tenderness, as being the most probable future support of a King's unjoyntured Widow; so that his Majesty succeeded perfectly to his Content. For one day that King James was at Paris, his Majesty had the Opportunity to be all alone a whole afternoon with the Queen, and to make her a Formal and Ample Declaration of his Love.  
Lewis the Great's Declaration of his Love, to the Banished Queen of England.  
Madam,  
WERE it for that Reason, that I must be accounted one of your most Cruel Enemies, I could not forbear to Caress the misfortune, that brought you so happily into this Kingdom, and which has, by that means, procured me the Charming pleasure of your Company. I must needs declare to you, Madam, that ever since that Fortunate day, I have always preserved a most profound Esteem for your Person, which has bred up and cherished in my heart, something that I can hardly tell what it is. I fancy to myself the most pleasing Idea that ever was in the World, of all your Sparkling Qualities, and I take delight to recall 'em to my mind every Minute of the day, and to Dream of you in the Night. I have habituated myself to that which appears to me the only thing that assuages the Disturbances of my Love; that is to say, an unfeigned Vow which is made to yourself, by the most passionate of Men, and who burns with an Ardent desire to let you see, how far it is possible for that Passion, which he has for you, to extend itself.  
The Queen was not a little at a Nonplus, to hear such enforcing and passionate Expressions; which was the Reason why she could not return a sudden Answer; for it behoved her to look well about her on every side. She was afraid lest her Husband should take notice of the King's Tenderness, and least Madam de Maintenon should turn her mortal Enemy, to whom she had been infinitely beholding, during her abode in France; foreseeing also, that her Succour might be very necessary still; and for that in her Afflicted Condition, it became her to make use of all her Policy and Precaution to preserve her friends.  
On the other side, it was not in her Power to look upon the King with an indifferent Eye; She felt within herself an Inclination strong enough to love him; besides, the Offers of his Service, and the continual Assurances of his Royal Word, never to forsake her, and to use his utmost endeavours for the Restoration of her Husband; all these Considerations staggered the Resolutions of her Chastity, and turmoiled her with a thousand various thoughts.  
In the mean time, the King, to whom the Queen had not as yet opened her Lips, since the Vow that he had made her, first breaking silence, Madam, said he, I know not to what cause to attribute the disturbance which I behold in your Looks, or whither I may be able to make a favourable Construction of it.  
To which the Queen, not able to reject the Courtly Addresses of our Monarch, and no less willing to keep him in hopes, that one day he might see himself Gainer of the Conquest to which he aspired; Sir, said she, after a most Amiable and engaging manner, The expressions you have made use of, to let me understand the Condition of your Heart, have plunged me into a deep Meditation; and I can hardly believe, that a Prince, like you, who are the Terror of all Europe, should be in want of better Objects, to Sigh for a Person, whom Fortune has so severely handled. My Misfortunes are daily before my Eyes, and the Fatal remembrance of 'em will never leave me till Death.  
Madam, replied the King, it would be in vain for me to reiterate what I have so often repeated over and over again; that I am deeply sensible of your Misfortunes, and that they never yet could make me lose the least respect which is due to your Birth. I look upon you still as a Queen and what is more, absolute over the Empire of my Will; and the secret Charms which I have discovered in your Perfections, the force of which is inevitable, have constrained me to acknowledge the Torments which I suffer. Among a thousand Beauties that appear at Court, I do not meet with those subduing Allurements, which I find in you, and by which I perceive myself so mortally Wounded.  
The Queen was about to have returned an Answer, and to have let his Majesty know, how infinitely she was beholding to him, for his kind Sentiments and Favours bestowed upon her, when King James, who had been at Paris to Visit Father La Chaise, came in and spoiled a good Compliment. The Reverend Father, it seems, had carried him to his House in the Fauxburg St. Antony, where they had spent the whole day together, and where among other things, they fell into Discourse about the Affairs of England, and so by degrees, into a deep debate, which was the most probable way for the King to regain the three Kingdoms he had lost. The Reverend Father, whose Brains are Fertile in Counsel and Intrigues, had displayed upon that Subject, the whole extent of his Eloquence, promising the distressed King all the Assistance, that he was capable to afford him. Those Assurances so sincere and profitable, had warmed the Unfortunate King's Heart, and brought into his Countenance an Air of Gaiety, which accompanied all his Actions. In this humour, entering the Room, Brother, said he, 've a Blessed time on't, to be always courting the Ladies. 'Tis very true, replied his Majesty, they have a powerful Ascendant over me.  
The Scene of the Discourse being thus Changed, King James fell into a long Story of the Father's kind Entertainment, the various Subjects upon which they had been conferring Notes together, and the wholesome Consolations he had received from that same Conscience-Director. He extolled his Wit and his Merit, and applauded his Majesty's Choice of such an Excellent Father Confessor.  
But our Monarch, who had other Things to trouble his Brains withal, than the Encomiums of Father La Chaise, looked upon K. James' Chat as impertinent; as being altogether uneasy in his Mind, and not knowing how his Affairs stood in the Heart of his New Mistress, who was no less displeased with the Interruption on her Side: And in this humour the King took his leave with only a Farewell, Brother, till I see you again. King James waited upon him to his Coach, where he paid him a thousand Compliments, and prayed him to continue his wont Goodness toward him; and the King assured him he should be always the same.  
Being come to Versailles, he abandoned himself wholly to his Amorous Passion, revolving in his mind all his Mistress' Charms, and the Obliging Ways by which she had engaged his Heart, were the Subject of his Ruminations all that Night. The next Morning he returned with an Unconceivable Impatience to revisit the Object of his Love. But foreseeing, that perhaps he might not have a favourable Opportunity to find the Queen alone, she being Visited by the Duchess of Portsmouth, and Madam de Noailles, her Intimate Friends, he wrote her the following Lines.  
The King's Letter to the Banished Queen.  
Madam,  
SInce I was born, I never loved so much as now I do; my Love for you is of another Nature then what I was wont to feel upon the like Occasions. This Violent Passion can proceed from no other cause then from your Merit, which distinguishes you from other Women. Never say then, Madam. that this is the usual Discourse that Men make use of, to inveigle the Fair and Beautiful, since the Troubles of my Heart, and the restless Disquiet of my Mind continually prove the contrary. Answer my Love more kindly than hitherto you have done; assuring you, that if you afford me the least Hope, I shall quickly find Repose.  
Adieu Madam.  
The Queen received this Letter with an extraordinary Joy; but she did not think it proper to return an Answer: which very much disturbed the King; and made him resolve to return that day to St. Germains. He found the Queen in her Closet, reading an Amorous History sent her out of England; to whom, Madam, said he, I draw ye from a more pleasing Divertisement. To which the Queen made answer, that not having else to do she took a Book in her Hand; but that now she would make a better use of the happy Hour that presented itself, to enjoy his Majesty's Company.  
The King whose Passion was Violent, asked her in a kind of Disorder that frequently befalls true Lovers, why she had not written to him; and told her withal, that she had reduced him almost to utter Despair to find his Love so ill repaid by a Person so Amiable; and that he had great reason to bewail his Destiny, not having ever Sighed in vain before.  
The Queen, who is Witty, and ready at Replies, told him that her Husband never parted from her all that Day; and that his Majesty having a Love for Madam de Maintenon, she was unwilling to draw upon herself the Hatred of a Rival, who might trouble that little repose that was left her.  
The King, who is an utter Enemy to Arguments and Reasons where he Loves, told her that he had power sufficient to preserve her from all her Fears; that he had a high Esteem for that Lady; but that he still preserved a Tenderness for an Object of Adoration: and that the Marchioness of Maintenon had too much Discretion to contradict him in his Pleasures.  
An Answer of that Nature split the Queen's Heart, and inspired her with several thoughts, that might have carried her a great Way; but the Duchess of Portsmouth's Arrival delivered her out of her Perplexity; and the King, who is very Complaisant in Lady's Society, tacked the Conversation together for a long time, so that the Day passed merrily away. They fell into Discourse of the French and English Customs, and of other things very diverting. But the Evening drawing on, as jealous of their Happiness, broke off these pleasing entertainments, and separated the Illustrious Company.  
Madam de Maintenon, who was by this time got safe to our Lady of Deliverance, upon All Saints Eve▪ and tired with her Journey, having travelled half the way a foot in the Habit of a Penitent, went to a House of one that was her Acquaintance, with her Damsel La Caverne, who was no less weary than her Mistress. The Lady of the House was very much surprised to see that such a Person, as she was, should undertake such painful Mortifications; but the Marchioness up and told her the Important occasion of her Pilgrimage: That her Husband Scarron had appeared to her, and upbraided her; and that she was to say so many Masses for him: For this Reason, said she, my Dear Friend, I am come hither to Pray to the Patroness of your Parish, the Mother of Deliverance, to aid me in my present Affliction. To which the Lady answered, that she was the best Saint in the World, and that she wrought several Miracles every Day, and that of all those that besought her with an Ardent Zeal, she never sent any one away, without some effect of her Goodness.  
The next Day our Heroess lay all Day long i'th' Church, (which was a great Testimony of her Piety and Zeal) continually and most Ardently imploring the favour of the Saint in the following form of Prayer.  
The Marchioness of Maintenon's Prayer to our Lady of Deliverance.  
QVeen of Heaven, Guide to Salvation, Refuge of afflicted Souls, take Pity of Me, and of Him, whom I recommend to thy favour, and who has lain languishing for these thirty Years in Purgatory; and who perhaps without thy Succour must be for'd to stay there till Doomsday: Send me not back, dear Mother of Mercy, without Affording me some Sign of thy Protection. I recommend the Soul of Monsieur Scarron into thy Hands, and beseech thee to admit him into Paradise. This is the only favour, which a Miserable Penitent, Devoted only to thy Service, begs at thy Hands. Pardon ●ne my past Transgressions, and all those Sins, which I shall commit for the future: Safely direct all the Designs of St. Lewis ●ur Good King; and so order it, that he may obtain Victory over his Fnemies, and particularly over the Huguenots that Profane thy Holy Name. Thou knowest how much I love the Light of the Eaithful; and that I put all my Confidence in thy Divine Power: Now then show it, by giving Repose to this Martyr, who must otherwise be a perpetual Slave to his Torments.  
She also said a world of Ave Maria's, which brought up the Rear of all her Pious Ejaculations. In these Extraordinary Devotions the Day was spent; besides that, she was present with a most Religious awe, at all the Prayers that were said to the Ghost of Scarron. The Festival being over, our Marchioness, who is as Generous as the Sun, scorned to departed the Holy Place, without making a Civil Present to our Lady of Deliverance, from whom she expected so much ease. She therefore presented her with an Infinite number of Wax Tapers, desiring the Priest, who was to say the Masses to let 'em burn Night and Day, as many as he thought sitting for the Honour of the Saint; which she left to his Discretion, wellknowing that he would not cheat her for all the World. Madam, answered the Priest, you may return with full Assurance, and believe that ●… think myself extremely happy, that 'tis in my power to be Serviceable to a Lady of your Quality; besides, that 'tis a matter of Conscience. This humble reply mollified the Heart of Madam d● Maintenon, and drew out of her Pocket a little Purse full of Single Money, which she presented to the Priest, conjuring him by all that was Sacred in the World to pray to God and all the Saints continually for her poor Deceased Husband.  
The next Morning, our Heroess set forward again in order to her return for Paris, very well satisfied and almost convinced of the Good Success of her Voyage. Upon her arrival at Paris, the King was over joyed to see her; He told her, that the Time of her Absence had been very tedious to him; that she had performed such an Extra ordinary Penance, that she could not question the Success of it, and that he believed that Scarron was by that time in Heaven; or else he was certainly the most Miserable of all Mankind.  
To which, Madam de Maintenon fetching a deep Sigh, replied, that having done her Doty, she lest the Rest to the most Blessed Virgin to whom she had recommended 〈◊〉 Martyr a thousand times: So that 〈◊〉 all that Died were to give the Living so much Trouble, there would be no felicity in this Would.  
I must acknowledge, Madam, replied the Monarch, that Purgatory is a thing which very much perplexes me; for when we have done all we can do in this World, we know not, when we are about to die, whither we shall go.  
Sir, answered the Marchioness, your Majesty cannot choose but know that Good Works and Penances are of great force to moderate the Pains of Purgatory, and to avert the Anger of Heaven that hangs over our Heads; and in regard I know that M. Scarron had never any Inclination for these sort of Mortifications; his Genius carrying him rather to Jollity and Mirth, I am firmly persuaded that this is the Reason why he is kept so long in Purgatory.  
'Slife, then cried the King, what an Unhappy Man am I, Madam, who love the Pleasures of this Life, as I do, and whatever is capable to Charm the Senses; and find but a very feeble Inclination in myself, God knows, to Penances and Mortifications; what can I expect but to burn Eternally in the Fires of Purgatory?  
Sir, replied Madam de Maintenon, your Majesty carries things a little too far. I find ye extremely Godly, and full of Devout Sentiments for Religion. You have performed a most noble Action of late Days, in Extirpating the Heretics out of your Kingdom, and causing the Catholic Church to Triumph. These Great Exploits will never die; but will Infallibly carry ye to Heaven without any danger of Purgatory.  
This is that indeed which comforts me a little, Madam, said the King; for God knows, the real Motives of my Design were grounded upon the Propagation of the Faith.  
While the King was yet speaking, in came King James, his Spouse, and the Duchess of Portsmouth, being newly arrived at Versailles to Congratulate our Heroess upon her Return from her Pilgrimage, which she had concealed from them, as being unwilling that any Body should know it. Ah, Madam, said the Queen, saluting her, you keep your Affars very Private. I asked the King several Times, what was become of ye; but he would needs persuade me all along, that you were still at St. Cyr, which I could hardly believe, because I never met ye abroad.  
You know, Madam, that the Concerns of Devotion are or aught to be carried Privately; and that our Works of Piety are then most Meritorious, when they make least Noise.  
You must not take it ill then of the Marchiness, replied the Duchess of Portsmouth, that she kept her Pilgrimage Private, for Reasons of Conscience: we must do all we can to purchase Heaven.  
What you say, answered K James, is admirably well said: but you must agree with me, that there are some Persons born under bad Constellations; and that frequently those Stars shed down their Malignant Influences upon us in such a manner, that 'tis Impossible to avoid 'em. My Misfortune is an Apparent Proof of what I have set forth. For all that I did in England, while in possession of the Crown, was only out of a Design to labour the Propagation of the Faith, to Reform the Laws, Polish the People, and to have done many other Things of that Nature; Nevertheless you all see what I got by it.  
Sir, said the Duchess, what you have told us, would carry us too far; it deserves too long Reflections; and the Subject being Mournful would beget a Conversation that would Kill us with Melancholy. Our business is to divert Madam de Maintenon, who looks as if she came out of the Monuments. Let us all go to Morrow, if his Majesty pleases, to choose King and Queen at Marli, and put a New Crown upon the Head of our Unfortunate Prince.  
All the Company applauded the Duchess' Motion, who is Mistress of the most Engaging Charms in the World, and who has the knack to win Affections when she pleases herself: And here it may be proper to let the World know, who this Duchess of Portsmouth was, that Enslaved the Heart of Charles II. till Death. She is Daughter to the Marquis de Keroves, a Person of Quality in Britain, who had lost much of his Credit, before he got his Daughter into the Service of the Princess Henrietta Stuart, where the K. of England saw her the first time, and Loved her ever after.  
But to return to that Part which was acted next Day at Marli, where there were a great Number of Lords and Ladies to Solemnize that same Courtly-Festival, the K. who was in a good humour, spoke a thousand pleasant things to the Queen; Nor could he retain from giving her Signs of his Passion. Madam de Maintenon seemed a little Nettled at it; but being very Politic, she dissembled it. Abundance of Healths were Drank, and K. James was K. of the Ceremony. Whereupon our Prince said, siniling, that he was mightily pleased that Fortune had savoured him so well, and that he was disengaged from his Word: For that he had often promised to make him King, and restore him to his Throne; and now he had no Reason to complain: adding, that to convince him further of the care which he took for his Welsare, he would entertain him with the Merit of the Duchess of G— on. K. James answered with an Air of Gaiety, that he did not deny but that he had been touched with Love and respect for that Amiable personage. I know it very well, Brother, replied our Monarch, that you had an Extraordinary respect for her, and I agree with you that we are created to Love the fair Sex. The Duchess of Portsmouth displayed her sparkling Wit upon many occasions; and particularly in sustaining the King's Sentiments, who sat near to the Queen, and the most Passionate of all Mankind; but the Princess being afraid of her Riwal, seemed to be tormented with Jealousy upon this Occasion.  
The K. who is Sagacious enough, perceived it at first, and to convince her that he was above those Little things, he pulled out of his Pocket some Verses which he had made for her in the Morning, telling her very pleasantly that he was happy in a Lovely Muse, which made him oftentimes have a mind to play the Poet, and that sometimes he took a Ramble with her to Parnassus. Look ye, says he, what she has inspired me with to Day, But he presented them to the Queen in such a very Earnest and hasty manner, as discovered the Confusion he was in. The Princess received them very Civilly, and read these words,  
My Tender Heart fair Iris hath inflamed,  
He who hath seen her, can't for Love be blamed:  
How amiable are those Charming Eyes!  
And yet how Guilty, Monarches to Surprise.  
This last Blow was Like to have caused Madam Maintenon to die for Grief, but her Love not being so Nice as to endure no Sharer, she comforted herself the more easily, being unwilling to oppose the pleasures of her Prince, as preferring her Fortune and his Good Will to all the pleasures of an Amorous Amusement.  
The Day being spent in such agreeable diversions, every one took leave of each other. The K. attended the Q. of England to St. Germains, and our Marchioness was fully resolved to return back to her Abbey. As soon as she arrived, all the Ladies of St. Lovis, and the Young Damsels embraced her tenderly, signifying that her absence was insupportable to them. Our Heroess, on the other hand, assured them, that she had had her share of the Grief, and suffered no less than they, having continually thought on her Spiritual Militia; and as it was not long since she returned from her Pilgrimage, she had always a strong Inclination to see them again; but could not prevent her staying sometime at the Palace of Versailles to pay her respects first to the King, and that now she was to be more at St. Cyr, being obliged to pray further to God and St. Lovis for Monsieur Scarron, that he might have a speedy entrance into his desired rest.  
Although the King, and all the Ladies whom I have mentioned, did their utmost to remove the Marchionesses discontent, nevertheless she abandoned herself to a Contained Pensiveness. Two mighty things did constantly operate in her Mind, the Reproaches wherewith Scarron had upbraided her extremely, and the Admonition which he gave her, as to the Changeable humour of that Prince, and the inconstancy of his Love to any particular Object, as finding always Variety of new Charms, which presaged that she should have the same fate with others of his Mistresses.  
These Last Words of Scarron had made a mighty Impression upon the Mind of our Heroess, and the Adventures which befell her on the day of the three Kings at Marli, did fully confirm her in her thoughts, especially when she reflected upon the pleasure and transport, which his Majesty discovered in presence of the Queen of England; which convinced her, that her own good Fortune was not to be of any long duration, if she did not behave herself with great Complaisance and Conduct. She very often blamed the Inconstancy and Volatile humour of Men, whose Love is guided by their Sense, and lasts no longer than while the beloved Object is able to Charm them; it being Impossible to lay any Solid Foundation upon their Conduct. She considered also, that the Weakness of a Woman was Great to yield up what is most Dear and Valuable to her in the World upon such false Appearances; confessing Ingeniously, that a true Friendship had a thousand times more sweet Attractives and lasted till Death; that Love was only a Passion begot by the presence of an Amiable Person, but that Friendship was a Virtue which Sympathy fixed betwixt two Friends by their Mutual care of, and continual Services to one another. Those Moral Reflections obliged our Marchioness to spend several days in great Solitude, although she assisted at the Masles which where said for Scarron's Soul, with all her Damsels at Saint Cyr, every Day according to Custom.  
The Reverend Father Lafoy Chaise, and Father Bourdalon, who had not seen Madam Maintenon after her return, being taken up with Ecclesiastical Affairs, were impatient till they had given her a Visit; whereupon they took Coach and went to her Abbey, where our Heroess received them very Agreeably after her Devout and Modest manner. The Reverend Fathers made known the Satisfaction which they had to hear of her Arrival, and that apparently her Journey had been happy, for they had not ceased during her Absence, to Pray and make Vows for her and Monsieur Scarron, whose Soul must needs be now in the Enjoyment of the height of Bliss.  
I wish it be so, Fathers, answered our Marchioness, with all my Soul, for that's the true rest to which all of us ought to Aspire, there being nothing in this Vast Universe certain nor Solid; we often possess Grandeur without tranquillity, and pleasures without repose, our Reason not being able to surmount all those Obstacles which oppose themselves to those good things, sills us with continual Cares, which give us perpetual Disquiet.  
In the mean time, Madam, replies Father Lafoy Chaise, we have that share of Reason which ought to distinguish us from other Animals, and direct us here to find Remedies for those things which torment us.  
'Tis true, Father, says our Heroess, but Reason, of which we make such a Noise, affords but a small assistance against our Passions and the Troubles of Life; It opposes itself to all, but overcomes nothing; Tears our Hearts with a thousand Remorses and perpetual disquiets, and those are all the effects which it produces by its severe strength.  
If it be as you say, Madam, answered the Reverend Father, the Beasts are happier in their Innocence then we; for they follow their Natural Inclination with great Tranquillity, and never feel any thing of those troubles which Ambition or Interest create within us Mortal Men.  
You have spoke Excellently well, Father, says Madam Maintenon, for we have reason to Envy the quiet and sweet repose of those peaceful Creatures; and consider that all the Advantages, which we brag of with so much Vanity, are not equal to their Living without inward trouble.  
But, Madam, Answers Father Bourdalou, that Tranquillity is all the happiness which these Animals enjoy in their being, for their Soul dies with their Body, and returns to its first nothing.  
In truth, Father, if it were not the hopes which we have that our Souls are Immortal, and that after this Life we should enjoy a peaceable Repose, we should be more to be pitied then the Brute Beasts; but I believe that those Sweets and Joys shall be only dispensed, according to our Good Works, which I do always believe to be Meritorious.  
It is certain, Madam, Answers the Father, that our Works justify us before God, and that they Merit not only Eternal Life, but likewise an Augmentation of Glory; and we can also satisfy the Punishment due to our Sins by our own Sufferings.  
Then Father, says Madam Maintenon, 'tis of great Importance to a Believer to Labour with Great care for Mortification by a continual Penance, and to do many Good Works to augment their degree of Glory.  
Madam, replies Father Lafoy Chaise, God hath Elected us, as having foreseen our Works, and the Good Motions of our Free Will; for the Conversion of a Man is in part due to his own Natural Strength, and not wholly to Grace.  
But, Father, Answers our Heroess, If there be any Persons perfectly Just in this World, ought they not to be assured of their Salvation.  
I will tell you, Madam, Answered the Father, that Believers may fall from the Grace of God, and perish finally. But we hope still that by our Mortifications, our Penances, and the Pains which we endure in Purgatory, we may co●● to Paradise, for our Lord Jesus Christ hath delivered us from the Gild, but not from all the Punishments due to our Sins. We must then be purged by the Expiation of our Faults and endure those Torments; and this is what the Children of God are to expect when this Life is ended.  
I assure you, Father, answered Madam, Maintenon, with a Penitent Visage and Tone, that such thoughts as those do entirely cool my Heart, take it off from all the pleasures of this Life, and make me Groan earnestly for a Holy Solitude, where I may Work out my Salvation without any Interruption.  
Madam, says the Reverend Father, what we said was not a design to affect you, as it plainly appears to have done. This is only Discourse; We ought not to understand the Articles of our Faith in such a rigid manner, we must take up a milder sort of Morality; and moreover, a Person so Young and Charming as you are, is not obliged to abandon the Pleasures of Life so soon,  
In the mean time, Father, says the Marchioness, I begin to disrelish them, and if it were not for the Engagements I am under to his Majesty, I would retire myself out of the World for the rest of my Days, and go into a Covent; and I must Confess, that I have a mighty Inclination to the Capuchins: I envy the happiness of those Religious Persons, they Live in much Devotion and Austerity, and every Day before they go to Bed they say a Rosary, with the Litanies of the Holy Virgin, all which Piety Charms me Extremely.  
But, Madam, Answered Father Bourdalou, methinks you have reason to be contented, seeing you enjoy an Abbey, wherein you may carry your Devotion to what height you please.  
True, Father, replied our Heroess; but in this Society I am divided betwixt my Devotion and the World, and sometimes cannot be private, because of the continual Care which I must have of the Youth, and the Orders I must give out every Day to the Community. I tell you freely, that that does oftentimes vex my mind.  
Just as the Father was going to Answer, a Gentleman from the King Arrived at St. Cyr, and was Conducted into the Marchionesses Closet, by one of the Penitent Sisters, which broke off that Conversation, and obliged the good Fathers to return to Paris.  
Our Marchioness asked the Gentleman what his Majesty's Commands were; who answered, that he prayed her to come to Versails to morrow.  
Madam de Maintenon, who knows above all things how to take her Measures, went to wait upon His Majesty next day, who was the most Melancholy and out of Humour that could be, upon Monsieur Catinats' Arrival at Versails, to regulate the State of the War for next Campagne, after his Marriage with Mademoiselle de Dangeau.  
After Dinner, Our Monarch to divert himself, went with Madam Maintenon to the D. of Orleans; where were present the Danphin, the D. of Chartres, the Duchess of Novailles and Duchess of Portsmouth, with many other Ladies and Lords; and being the time of the Carnival, they played all day. After Supper, those in Masks came in to Dance, but retired betimes, referring it to another Season, because there had been a Comedy, in which were Represented all the Celestial and Rural Deities, with their Royal Equipage and Extraordinary Machine's upon the Theatre.  
The first Scene was a Plain, encompassed with an Infinite Number of Trees just Budding, which furnish'd a most delicious Shade in that Solitary Place. These are the Names of the Gods which appeared there.  
Saturn or Time with a Hunger Starved Countenance, devouring every thing he met with; the very Stones not excepted: Jupiter darting Thunderbolts, and keeping the Universe in Obedience; The Sun environed with a thousand Lights, and his Oracles, was mounted on a Chariot drawn by the Hours; Mercury the God of Eloquence, Ambassador and Interpreter to all the Gods with Wings at his hands and feet, and a Caduceus in his hand, twisted with two Serpents, to denote Peace and Concord; Bacchus on a Triumphal Chariot drawn by Tigers covered with Deer-Skins, his Sceptre Adorned with Leaves of Ivy and Vines; Mars the God of War and Battle Armed Cap-a-pee, having a Helmet on his Head, a Lance in one Hand, a Pike in the other; Neptune with his Trident, sitting in a Great Scallop-shell for his Chariot, and being drawn by Whales and Sea Calves; the Tritons half Men and half Dolphins, attended him Sounding a Trumpet made of the Scales of Fish.  
Pluto with an Infernal and Gloomy Air, marched before the Old Ferryman Charon, who received into his Barge without distinction, all those that Arrived in the other World, and had by his side a horrible Dog, with Three Heads crawling full of Serpents. The Furies followed after, with Burning Flambeaux, soming with Rage, their Eyes sparkling, and instead of Hair, had their Heads covered with dangling Vipers.  
Sleep bringing quiet Repose to mankind, attended by one of the Officers, called Morpheus the God of Dreams, who drew all sorts of Figures.  
The Theatre changed Scenes, and represented a pleasant Meadow, enameled with thousands of Flowers; and there all the Goddesses appeared.  
Cibele Queen of the Earth sat Crowned with Cities, and a multitude of of Trees and Animals. Round her was Juno in the middle of Kingdoms and Riches, followed by Hebe the Goddess of Youth, who continually filled out Nectar for Jupiter to drink.  
Pallas Armed all over, having a Lance in her hand, with the Liberal Arts, and the Sciences for her Ornaments; she was followed by Diana Goddess of the Woods, and Huntsmen carrying a Bow and Arrows, with her Nymphs attending her. Venus' the Goddess of Love and Sensuality, an incomparable Beauty, was drawn in a Chariot with Swans and Doves, and followed by the three Graces her Daughters. After her came Aurora Laughing, in a Guilded Chariot, with her rosy Fingers, to proclaim the Coming of the Sun; she was followed by Blind Fortune, having Honour and Riches in her Power, and managing a Wheel which she turned about without ceasing.  
Flora was in the midst of a fine Garden, which produced a thousand Flowers, caressed by the Zephyri, which never abandon her; and Proserpina with her other Nymphs, who are always busy in gathering Posies.  
The Third Scene represented Mount Helicon, Parnassus the Fountains of Dipnocrania and Aganippides Consecrated to the Muses, Apollo sat in the middle of that pleasant Solitude, composing Musical Airs and Verses.  
Upon the Mountain sat Pan, God of the Shepherds, with his Beard. Goat's Feet, and Horns on his head, playing on a Melodious Flute. The Goat-footed Fauns and Satyrs, danced several Giggs with the Neighbouring Nymphs.  
Cupid the God of Love, hovered pleasantly over this Illustrious Assembly, fluttering his Wings with extraordinary Delight and Sweetness, but maliciously surveying all the Arrows in his Quiver, with a design to Wound all the Heroes and Heroesles. He thought fit to Wound Jupiter as the most sensible, and metamorphosed him into all sorts of shapes, as assuming the form o● a Ball, carrying Europe on his back and passing the Sea; at another time into a Shower of Gold, descending through a Power of Brass to the fair Danae; then into an Eagle to Ravish young Ganymedes, and putting himself into all Shapes convenient for his Gallantries; so that we must say here with Tertullian, that we must not be surprised at those Natural Inclinations, to which Love carry men, since the Deities themselves give us Examples of it.  
All those Gods and Goddesses were the Idols of the Pagans, who moreover believed, that the Air was full of Petty Gods or Demons, and imagined that they did ordinarily employ themselves in humane Affairs. They paid them homage every day, because of their sublime Virtues and extraordinary Merits, coming very near, say they, to the perfection of the other Deities; and they did ordinarily Consecrate a Dragon to them, as a Mark of their Immortality to which they were Arrived, as may be seen in Plutarch, where Cleomenes was esteemed a God by the Egyptians, because they saw a Serpent come out of his body after he was put to Death. All those Fictions did strongly seize the Spirits of those people, and the young following the Example of the Old, made one of the Ancient Philosophers say, that Man was a True Animal of Imitation.  
But we must leave those thoughts, and return to our Theatrical Piece, which was made designedly, and by the Dauphin Commanded to be represented by the King's Comedians, on purpose to divert those disquieting thoughts, into which that Monarch falls many times in a day, upon the Account of France, which lies desolate on all sides, and cries out, that it can do no more, if Heaven don't Bless it with a favourable Aspect.  
Another considerable disquitet, which he Labours under, is how to find Money to maintain such a pressing War; but all those Reflections don't hinder the King and Court from diverting themselves, as if they were in the most profound Peace. Every day a thousand pleasant designs are form to please the Ladies. The Comedy entertained them a long time in Charming Sports of Wit. All the Princes and Lords taking a mighty pleasure to give proofs of their fine Genius, by drawing Morals from the Figures represented, and applying them conformably to their Inclinations.  
I don't find since France was Governed by Kings, that there has been any Reign more like this of Lovis XIV. then that of Hen. III. When Pleasures abounded, in spite of the Miseries of the Kingdom. Sensuality Triumphed, and led all other passions Captive. When that Prince had tried all the divertisements which Nature had formed, and denied himself nothing which could Charm his Senses; he went in Penance with all his Minions and Lords, to the Convent of Augustins, and to the Great Church of our Lady, two and two, like the Votaries of Rome, or Avignon, clad in White Holland, in the same manner that is observed by the Religious Fraternities.  
In this Procession, the King marched without Guard, or being distinguished from others, either by Habit or Order, the singers went before, clothed in the same Livery, and Singing the Litanies of the Blessed Virgin Melodiously. All those Pious Penitents being Arrived at Church, Sung Salve Regina on their Knees in Charming Music. The Great Rain which lasted the whole day, did not hinder them to perform those Mysteries and Exemplary Ceremonies, tho' their Hoods, etc. were Wet through to the Skin.  
'Tis ordinarily the Genius of the most Voluptuous, to give some share of their time to Devotion, to make it appear by that External preciseness, that their heart is always filled with good Principles, and that all the Pleasures which they are taken up with, bear no proportion to their Piety.  
I cannot leave this Subject, without taking notice how well Henry III. could make his Devotions and Sensuality agree, by an unusual Sympathy. After having used divers Mortifications, during the Festival of Corpus Christi, where he was Solemnly present. The Week following, he made a Feast for the Duke his Brother and the Lords and Captains who accompanied him at the Siege of Charite, who were served by all the finest Ladies of the Court clad in Green and in Man's Habit, and all the Guests were Clothed in the same, being followed by Pages and Gentlemen, Clothed in like manner; so that, there was bought in Paris and other Towns, 60000 Livres worth of Green Silk for the Solemnity.  
It may be said without Hyperbole, that this is to carry on their Criminal Pleasures too far, and a very sorry acknowledgement to Heaven for its Bounties. Men in General have Natural Weaknesses, with which they can in no manner be Reproached, without reflecting upon the first Cause as Unjust, God having finish'd and bounded his Nature: It is not in the Power of Man to surmount his Infirmities; but we must distinguish well, betwixt Natural Defects, and those acquired by Habit or Imitation. The Latter may be cured by care, and our endeavours by good Education, to form a second Life in ourselves; for to continue always in Evil, is not to Live.  
I have lest my pleasant Company to employ their Wits. Let's now see, what our Heroess is doing. We shall find her Labouring under Jealousy, not that she Loves the King so entirely, but that she is afraid, lest her Rival should carry off some part of her Happiness, and share in her good Fortune. After she had well ruminated on the inconstant humour of the Prince, and reasoned in a Philosophical Manner; she found it good to put a New Obligation upon him, being well assured, that that was the way to take him in the most sensible part, and that by this Method, she should always keep her Station with his Majesty; for we are ordinarily thankful, to those who procure us such things, as we believe to be proper for us. Our Marchioness then, to divert that Prince, brought to him at Versailles, the most Beautiful Damsel of the World; but you will pardon me, if I don't tell you her Name, because 'tis a Court Intrigue, which we keep very secret for Madam Maintenons' sake. 'Tis sufficient, that she is under her Conduct in the Abbey of St. Cyr. Let's return to our fair Lady, who was presented to the King, on purpose to Charm him, and to give the greatest Mortification that could be to her Rival.  
His Majesty, whose tenderness to the Sex is unlimited, and who Loves all Amiable Objects, took it very kindly from our Heroess, and thanked her ve●y Joyfully, telling her, that he was indebted to her, for the most pleasant Moment's of his Life, and that having ●ost Mademoiselle de Fontange that she had also given him, and whom he cherished alone, as an Adorable Person, and one Worthy to be Loved, This Lady might with Justice be said to fill her place, and satisfy for the Loss which he had sustained, finding her every whit as Charming as she was.  
Madam de Maintenon was extremely glad, to find that her design had taken so well, and that thereby, she had rendered herself always necessary for every thing that might tend to the satisfaction of the Prince's desires, and having brought him acquainted with the Beauty of the Seraglio, she left our Amorous Monarch with his New Chains, to satisfy himself at Leisure, with the Pleasures of his New Conquest.  
In the mean time, she was taken up in her Ordinary Devotion, which was, to pray to God for the Soul of the Deceased Scarron, and Lent being at hand, she went continually to St. Lazarus, to say her Prayers, with an almost unparallelled Devotion.  
La Caverne, one of her Maids, whom she loved for her good Qualities, Nature having Adorned her with a Wit proper for her purpose, accompanied her every where; and her Mistress oftentimes entrusted her with her Secrets.  
One Day our Heroess acquainted her with the trouble she endured, in Dreaming continually of Scarron's Ghost; I confess to you my Dear, says she, in a Mournful tone, that so long a Penance in Purgatory, is a severe Payment for the Pleasures which we may enjoy here in this World.  
For my part, Madam, replied La Caverne, I believe Monsieur Scarron to be at rest, and methinks that you have no further need of Praying to the Saints, and the Saints for Him: and this I observed when we were together in the Church of our Lady of Deliverance; for as you were upon your Knees before her, the good Mother of Devotion seemed to me to have heard your Prayers.  
Ah! my Dear, (cried the Marchioness) how cam'st thou to penetrate her Sacred Mysteries: thou must have surely had some secret Revelation from Heaven. I feel within myself that Comfort which is not to be expressed, from what thou hast told me; and with all my Heart I beseech that Incomparable Saint to afford me her Assistance all the rest of my Life.  
Never question it in the least, Madam, (replied La Caverne for she is a good Conductress to Salvation, that listens to every word that is said to her with a most Saintlike Affability, and works surprising Miracles every day. One of my Cousins, (Madam) who had lost her Sight with the Smallpox, had no sooner performed a Pilgrimage to this same Queen of Heaven, but she saw as well as I do: moreover, she makes the Cooked Straight, and the Dumb to speak, and does a hundred other things becoming her Grandeur.  
I was informed a long while ago of the most Admirable Virtues of this renowned Queen of Glory; for which reason I cannot do better than in addressing my Prayers for Mr. Scarron, to this Motion of Mercy, whose Goodness is so much to be admired. I assure thee, I have always had a particular Veneration for the Discretion and Civility of our La●● of Deliverance: as long as I live I shall always make her a Sacrifice of all the Affections of my Heart, my Vows and my Prayers: nay, I will make her privy to all my Sins and Transgression for I am persuaded she will cleans●… me with Hyssop, and pardon 'em all.  
What a Happiness it is, (replied La Caverne) to find a Loving, General Saint, that will pardon us our Sins; for I find, (Madam) that you and I wander and go astray every hour of the Day, as Father Commire said in his Pulpit last Sunday. And therefore it behoves us to pray to her, That she would be pleased to let her sweet Faced Angels continually accompanied us.  
There would have been no end of this Superstitious Jargonry between the Marchioness and her Secretary, but that she was to send her to Paris to buy something that was plain and modest for her to wear all the Lent; for that she resolved to haunt the Capuchin's Church in the Dress of a Penitent. The Imparting of which Secret to the King, gave him as great a Satisfaction, as if his Minioness had made him a Discovery of a Gold Mine. Nor did his Majesty make any Body privy to it, but the Duke of Luxemburgh, and that too under Enigmatical Expressions, telling him, That he had a Dream which had so vehemently charmed him, that 'twas impossible for any man to express in words the Pleasure he found in it.  
Oh— Sir, (said the Marshal) of necessity these must be some Sweets of Love that have infused into your Majesty this charming Enthusiasm. For I know nothing in the world that more delightfully invades our Senses then Amorou; Reflections. Moreover, continued the Marshal) I know that you are never offended to see yourself willingly drilled along by that inevitable Inclination to which we are reduced by the powerful Attractions of Beauty that so strongly fascinate us sometimes, that we are no way able to defend ourselves against 'em.  
'Tis true, (answered our Monarch) that the Great Pleasure of my thoughtful Meditations, was to see myself beloved of the Person most deserving Adoration in the world: but my Happiness appeared so great, that it furpassed my Knowledge. I could have wished with all my Soul, that the Dream had been real, but Felicities so real are seldom to be met with.  
Nevertheless, (replied the Marshal) a Prince that carries a thousand Charms about him as you do, never sighs long, as being assured of his Conquest. You are like Caesar, you do but see and vanquish. I'll swear it upon all the Evangelists in Christendom, that you are passionately beloved when ere you please.  
In good sooth, (said the King to the Marshal) if all women's Hearts were as tender as yours, We might affirm ourselves happy. But I know some that are not so easily subdued. A man must take an incredible deal of Pain; about 'em, and yet they continue cruel to the end.  
I know very well, (replied the Marshal) that a Woman's Merit is extremely serviceable to her, toward the support of her haughty Humour: but so soon as they begin to love us, that Cruelty ceases by degrees; and then a Man may easily perceive that Love which they take so much care to conceal upon the score of Modesty: and generally 'tis that same Modesty that charms me most: the more Reservedness I find in Virgin; or married Women, 'tis all one to me, the more eager am I in my pursuit.  
All Men (answered the King) are of the same Opinion: no body loves an easy Victory: the Pleasure consists in the Pains, and Resistance increases it, if it be not carried on too far. Painter's therefore are in the Right to show us Enjoyment attended by a Tomb, to let us understand by that Emblem the Death of our Passions.  
But, Sir, (replied the Marshal) 'tis seen that we continually aspire to what we have not; and when we have it, our Joy deceases in the Possession. Therefore 'tis better to enjoy the Felicities of Life in Imagination, then lose 'em in the Taste of Pleasures.  
That which causes this unequal Conduct in us, (answered our Monarch) proceeds not from ourselves. Nature is the Occasion of all these Changeable Motions, with a design to inform us, that the Creator is only constant and unvariable.  
But then Madam de Maintenon, whose Entrance altered the Scene of the Marshal's discourse, appearing, said the Marshal to her with a Smile, I thank my good Fortune that has afforded me the Honour of your good Company, which I never could yet enjoy, since I returned from the Army.  
To tell you the Truth, Sir, (answered the Marchioness) I have been for some time taken up with a world of Business; beside that, I was forced to undertake a long Journey of above twenty Leagues from Paris, greatly to my sorrow; for I do not love to be absent from the Court: besides that I am continually slaved and turmoiled with looking after my Young Fry at Saint Cyr.'s  
'Tis very true, Madam, that your Eminent Piety and Virtues are very rare in our Age; for, methinks, Devotion is at a very low Ebb. Any other Person but You would endeavour to make the best of so fair an Opportunity, being the Darling of so Great a Prince as you are; 'tis a wonder to see you place your Felicity in such Noble and Sublime Employments.  
But the King, who was desirous to improve that little time the Marshal had to spend in Winter-Quarters, fell into a long Conference with him concerning the Strength of the Enemy, and other Important Affairs of the War. Which being at an End, the King told him, That he intended to treat him with a Splendid Banquet and a Ball.  
The next day, his Majesty gave Order to Madam de Maintenon, to take Order for a Magnificent Banquet, and a Jolly Ball, to which several Princes and Princesses were invited, and where all the Ladies of the Court appeared in the most pleasant disguizes in the World: and the Queen of England was the Goddess of that Charming Assembly.  
The King, whose thoughts were all entangled in his new Chains, carried himself with an Extraordinary gaiety toward that Princess; he never stirred from her all the while the Ball lasted, making a thousand Courtly Addresses to her, to which the Queen gave all along most engaging Answers: So that a man would then have thought she had forgot all those Fears, which the Jealousy of her Rival had infused into her.  
On the other side, our Heroess, who was at her Wit's end to hear all those Expressions that past between our Monarch and the Queen, durst not for her Ears display her resentment; but rather condescended to several Complacencies, which the King took mighty obligingly at her hands.  
'Tis the usual Humour of the Marchioness to favour and forward all the King's Amours: On the Other side, she procures all the Lovely Morsels she can meet with, to feed his Pleasures by the By, a sort of Afternoons Luncheons in Love; as being assured that 'tis the Only way to keep Possession of his Heart: but she cannot endure that his Majesty should make the Choice himself. And this is that which has lain heavy so long upon her Stomach, to see the King have such an Inclination for the banished Queen. The King also, who wants no Wit, observing her Jealousy, takes great delight, in his turn, to fret and discompose our Heroess, by caressing the Queen, some times, with a greater Passion than ever he showed to his Mistress.  
The Day was spent in the usual Employment of Eating and Drinking; and now the Night being come, they fell to Dancing helter-skelter. But as for Madam de Maintenon, she was always reserved in all her Divertisements; and it may be said of her, That she made good the godly Character which she had acquired. You shall never see her blither nor more jocund at one time then another and this Equality of Temper gains her the Esteem of all that see her; and for these Eminent Qualities it was that the King deemed her worthy of his Affections. But Marshal de Luxemburgh, who had taken notice of the Tenderness which the King had for the Queen of England, being desirous to assist him in his Inclinations, took her out to dance several times; and in regard she carries herself with a most charming Air in Dancing, our Monarch signified his Acknowledgement to the Marshal, by telling him, That there was no Sight so amiable, as to see two handsome Persons dance together.  
To whom the Marshal replied, That if there were any thing of Extraordinary and Eminent in him, he was beholding first to the Queen's more Orient Lustre, the Rays of which reflected only upon Him; and that it was a usual thing for the Sun to shed down his Beams upon every Thing in this World, and confer Ornament upon Things the most deformed.  
This was looked upon as a notable Compliment for a Soldier, who has not time to study soft Addresses to Ladies.  
The next day, the King remained all day long with the fair Queen of the Seraglio, where he displayed the Excess of that Passion which he felt for her; assuring her a thousand times of his Constancy, and the Continuation of his Love, and that he would never so much as seek after another change, as having never met so lovely a Person, and one so worthy of Royal Affection.  
Nor was our Prince, who found his Happiness so great, content to load his charming Minioness with tender Protestations; he put it home to her several times, When he should be so happy as to be beloved by a Person so much deserving Adoration as she?  
To whom the lovely Queen, with an Air of perfect Modesty, Sir, (said she) though you had neither Sceptre nor Crown to embrighten the Lustre of your Person; yet all your Lineaments concurring with so much Majesty and Accomplishment, 'tis impossible that you should be put to the Recoil where'er you attempted Victory. 'Twould be a Crime in Love, to permit a Hero, like yourself, to receive a Foil in his Amours.  
Charmed with so much Wit and Tenderness for his Mistress, he testified his Acknowledgement in so passionate a manner, that nothing but the Vehemency of his Love could have supplied him with the Vehemency of Expression.  
Madam de Maintenon, who then lay at her Abbey, busily taken up with Religious Care, expected the Queen's Return; who gave her a faithful Account of all the King's Love. On the other side, she begged her Counsel what Course to take for the good Management of this fortunate Beginning. The generous Abbess told her, That all depended upon the First Movements, and that no body but she alone could secure her an advantageous Success: That her Experience had infused into her a little Knowledge in these Affairs; and therefore when she was alone with his Majesty, at the same time she studied all manner of Ways to accompany her Words with a discreet and modest Air; a little Haughtiness (continued our Heroess) intermixed with Softness, if it be well managed, produces no bad Effect; for several young Ladies have lost their Fortune, by rendering the Victory too easy. Mademoiselle de Lude may serve ye for an Example, whose good Fortune proved so short, that one Day began it, and the next concluded it: her too much Condescension spoiled all; she made too much haste to be happy, and became unfortunate in a moment. These were the admirable Instructions which Madam de Maintenon gave her Illustrious Scholar.  
But Madam de Villeroi, who had been severely reprimanded by Madam de Maintenon, was under a most mortal Affliction, to see herself so contemptibly looked upon by that Lady. The important Occasion of the Quarrel that had so warmly chafed the pious Marchioness' Choler, was this: During her Pilgrimage to our Lady of Deliverance, Mademoiselle de Villeroi had taken a Walk with some of her Companions, among whom were several Courtly Gentlemen, as the Chevalier Colbert, the Marquis of Belfond, the Duke of Chevureuse, and the Count of Bussi; and she had been a little too profuse in her Expenses upon 'em. Madam de Maintenon was no sooner returned from her Pilgrimage, but she was informed of Madam de Villeroi's Adventure. Upon which, she rated her with all the Rigour and Severity imaginable; she spared for no Reproaches the most tart and cutting; telling her, she would never see her more; That she would banish her for ever from the blessed Assembly, where her good Fortune had enroled her; That the Habit she wore aught to have put her in mind that she was a Person distinguished from the Common sort of young Damsels in the World; and that by meeting Young Men abroad at public Houses of Entertainment, she herded herself with the Gossips of the Town, that met their Gallants above half way. Did you but know (continued our Heroess to the fair Damsel) how dangerous it is for a young Maiden to hearken to the deceitful Language of such Enamorato's, especially Soldiers, who talk at random a thousand things more than they think, and who have no sooner made the Heart of a young Virgin flexible to Love, but they are presently seeking out for another Booty, you would never trust that inconstant and wavering Sex, who thinks their Happiness consists in roving from one fair Lady to another, and never speak sincerely. You see how Painters set forth Love with Wings at his Back, to show the Lightness and little Consideration of that Passion. It becomes a modest Virgin to stick close to her Needle; to spend her Time in Prayers and Devotions to God, and his Holy Saints; and to endeavour to imitate Them, as the Divine Patterns of her Life and Conversation. 'Tis also very necessary that young Maids should read and study the Life of one of St. Lewis' Disciples, where you find that that same holy Martyr having had the Misfortune to feel in his Heart a petty Scuffle between the Flesh and the Spirit, fling himself into a Bath of Water so cold, that it presently mortified all the criminal Desires of rebellious Nature. Do you believe, that if the King knew you were a Coquet, he'd ever permit ye to live at St. Cyr's? Never deceive yourself,— he's too Religious a Prince to encourage Libertinism. The Marchioness was just concluding her Morality with several severe Menaces, If ever, etc. when Marshal Luxemburgh arrived to the seasonable Relief of the poor disconsolate Mademoiselle de Villeroi, who was presently dispatched away to pray for more Discretion for the future. On the other side, Madam de Maintenon, who still retained that Anger in her Eyes which her holy Zeal had kindled in her Countenance, received the Duke but very coldly: who thereupon demanded the Cause of her Discomposure? Oh,— Sir, (cried the Marchioness, if you knew the Trouble that these giddy-brained Girls put me to, you would never wonder at it: I endeavour to give 'em good Education, and set 'em an Example of Prudence and Piety; but the idle Baggages are so given to Romances and Love-Stories, so carried away with Coquettry, and other considerable Miscarriages, that I have much ado to rule 'em; and this has put me into an ill Humour.  
Madam, (replied the Marshal) you must consider the Lady; are Young, and Youth is apt to go astray; but riper Years, and your sublime Instructions, will make those deep Impressions in their Hearts, that there is no question but you will reap the expected Fruit of your glorious Labours.  
What you say, Sir, (replied our Noble Heroess) is very obliging; but there is a necessity of correcting the Vices of Nature, and to make it our business to infuse Virtue betimes. There is nothing in the World so praiseworthy in young Maidens, as Discretion and Modesty; which are the Principles by which they ought to act, and which only can assure 'em Happiness both in this and the other Life.  
'Tis true, Madam, when Nature has made us a Present of these Noble Principles, 'tis a glorious thing to improve 'em, so that they may be the prevailing Virtues triumphing in our Hearts.  
Sir, (said Madam de Maintenon) I would entertain ye further upon this Subject, but that I hear my Nephew, the Abbot d'Aubigné, entering in, who will certainly alter the Scene of our Discourse  
FINIS.   

BOOKS Printed for H. Rhodes, at the Star in Fleetstreet: And J. Harris, at the Harrow in the Poultry.  
THE Great Historical, Geographical, and Poetical Dictionary: Being a Curious Miscellany of Sacred and Profane History, etc. collected out of the best Historians, Chronologers, and Lexicographers; but more especially out of Morery's Sixth Edition, Corrected and Enlarged by Le Clerk By seveveral Learned Men. To which are added the last Five Years Historical and Geographical Collections of Edmund Bohun, Esq  
The General History of Europe, contained in the Historical and Political Monthly Mercuries, from the late happy Revolution in November, 1688. to this present Time. Giving an Account of all the Public and Private Occurrences, Civil, Ecclesiastical and Military, that are most Considerable in every Court: The Interest of Princes, their Pretences and Intrigues, etc. and generally all that is Curious. With Political Reflections upon every State. Done from the Originals, published at the Hague by the Authority of the States of Holland. In Four Volumes: With an Index to each Volume.  
Memoirs for the Ingenious: Containing several Curious Observations in Theology, Philosophy, Mathematics, Physic, History, Philology, and other Arts and Sciences. In Miscellaneous Letters to several of the Reverend Bishops and Clergy, Eminent Physicians, Fellows of the Royal Society, etc. for the Year 1693. Bound up in one Volume. With a large Alphabetical Table to the Whole. By J. de la Cross, Eccles. Angl. Presb.  
The Triumph-Royal: Containing a short Account of the most Remarkable Battles, Sieges, Sea-Fights, Treaties, and Famous Achievements of the Princes of the House of Nassan, etc. Described in the Triumphal Arches, Pyramids, Pictures, Inscriptions, and Devices, erected at the Hague in Honour of William III. King of England, Scotland, France, and Ireland. Curiously Engraven in 62 Figures on Copper-Plates, with their Histories; an Elaborate Piece of Curiosity. First done in Dutch, then into French, and now into English. Dedicated to Her Majesty.  
The Present Court of Spain. Or, The Modern Gallantry of the Spanish Nobility unfolded: In several Histories, and Seventy five Letters from the Enamoured Teresa, to her Beloved the Marquis of Manscra. By the Ingenious Lady— Author of The Memoirs and Travels into Spain. Done into English by J. P.  
Voyages and Travels over Europe. Vol. I. Containing the Curiosities of France.  
The Second Volume of the Historical Voyages and Travels: Containing all that is most Curious in Spain and Portugal.  
An Antidote against a Careless Indifferency in Matters of Religion. Being a Treatise in Opposition to those that believe that all Religions are Indifferent, and that it imports not what Men profess. Wherein the vulgar Objections of Atheists, Sceptics, Libertines, Latitudinarians, etc. are briefly Answered. Done out of French. With an Introduction, by Anthony Horneck, D. D. Chaplain in Ordinary to Their Majesties.  
The Present Condition of France, in reference to her Revenues, comparing them with the infinite Expenses she is forced to be at. Demonstrating thereby, That it is impossible for her to support herself, if the War with the Confederates continues. Done out of French.  
The Paris Relation of the Battle of Landen, July 29th. 1693. between the French, Commanded by the D. of Luxemburgh; and the Confederates, by the K. of Great Britain; published by the French King's Authority: With his Letter, ordering the Archbishop of Paris to sing Te Deum. And a Private Letter from a very good Hand in Paris, with another Account of the Battle. As also Reflections upon the King's Letter, by a very Learned French Pen. And Observations by another Hand here, proving the French King and his Gazetteers Account to be inconsistent with themselves, and one another, as well as contrary to Truth: And that though the French kept the Field, yet they were really Losers by the Action. Published for Undeceiving the Public, who are so much Abused by Seditious Relations.  
An Exact Relation of the Battle of Landen, July 29. 1693. between the Army of the Confederates, Commanded by the King of Great Britain; and that of the French King, under the Command of the Duke of Luxemburgh. With his Majesty's Letter to the State's o0f Holland, from his Headquarters at Eppegem, Aug. 12. 1693. With a Description of the Order and Embattelling of both Armies at the Beginning of the Fight, in a Copperplate.