you every day in the temple with a fresh pleasure, as you can well imagine.  Madame la Baronne died; and we learnt that those tremendous lawsuits with the family not having been completed before her death, she left you, and M. Charles, your brother, in the most frightful poverty.  At that news, our Fathers (who are so charitable, so compassionate) ordered me to reserve every day, for the two young orphans, two large portions from the refectory, and to bring them to you myself in your little lodging.

“To-day, being no longer, owing to my health, in the congregation of the Jesuit Fathers, I should be glad to obtain a place conformable with my ancient occupations.  My good angel has inspired me with the thought, madame, to come and solicit your powerful protection and your good graces.”

Madame de Maintenon, having sustained this attack with fortitude, and it was not without vigour, replied to the petitioner:  “I have had the honour of relating to his Majesty, not so very long ago, the painful and afflicting circumstance which you have just recalled to me.  Your companions, for one fortnight, were at the pains to send to my little brother and to me a portion of their food.  Our relations; who enjoyed all our property, had reduced us to indigence.  But, as soon as my position was ameliorated, I sent fifteen hundred francs to the Reverend Father Superior of the Jesuits for his charities.  That manner of reimbursement has not acquitted me, and I could not see an unfortunate man begging me for assistance without remembering what your house once did for me.  I do not remember your face, monsieur, but I believe your simple assertion.  If you are in holy orders I will recommend you to the Archbishop of Rouen, who will find you a place suitable for you.  Are you in holy orders?”

“No, madame,” replied the ex-Jesuit; I was merely a lay brother.”

“In that case,” replied the Marquise, “we can offer you a position as schoolmaster; and the Jesuit Fathers, if they have any esteem for you, should have rendered you this service, for they have the power to do that, and more.”

BOOK 7.

CHAPTER XXXVII

The King Takes Luxembourg Because It Is His Will.—­Devastation of the
Electorate of Treves.—­The Marquis de Louvois.—­His Portrait.—­The
Marvels Which He Worked.—­The Le Tellier and the Mortemart.—­The King
Destines De Mortemart to a Colbert.—­How One Manages Not to Bow.—­The
Dragonades.—­A Necessary Man.—­Money Makes Fat.—­Meudon.—­The Horoscope.

This journey to Flanders did not keep the King long away from his capital.  And, withal, he made two fine and rich conquests, short as the space of time was.  The important town of Luxembourg was necessary to him.  He wanted it.  The Marechal de Crequi invested this place with an army of thirty thousand men, and made himself master of it at the end of a week.