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Updated: May 25, 2025
Madame de Thianges said to me: "My dear Athenais, you have the elegance of the Mortemarts, the fine perception and ready wit that distinguishes them, but strangely enough you have not their energy, nor the firm will necessary for the conduct of weighty matters.
Madame de Sforza, her favourite, is the daughter of Madame de Thianges, Madame de Montespan's sister, and therefore a cousin of Madame d'Orleans, who hates her sister and her nephew worse than the Devil. I could forgive her all if she were not so treacherous.
The phrase was repeated to me, word for word by my sister De Thianges, who did not conceal her anger, and wished to avenge me, if I did not avenge myself. The Marquise then informed me of another thing, which she had left me in ignorance of all along, from kind motives chiefly, and to prevent scandal.
This communication, though anonymous, is none the less benevolent. I desire your peace and your happiness. Madame de Maintenon at Loggerheads with Madame de Thianges. The Mint of the D'Aubigne Family. Creme de Negresse, the Elixir of Long Life. Ninon's Secret for Beauty. The King Would Remain Young or Become So. Good-will of Madame de Maintenon.
"You were born," added Madame de Thianges, "to work at the education of kings. It is true that few governesses or tutors are as amiable. There is a sound in your voice which goes straight to the heart; and what others teach rudely or monotonously, you teach musically and almost singing. Since the Queen loves your French and your Spanish, everything has been said; you are indispensable to her.
She has deigned to grant me a little place in her esteem; pray tell her that this first favour has somewhat spoiled me, and that now I ask for more than this, for a place in her affections. Madame de Thianges and Madame de Nevers are aware of my respect and attachment for them, and they approve of this, for they have engraved their names and crests on my plantain-trees at Maintenon.
My mother occasionally took me out into society after the marriage of my sister, De Thianges; and I was not slow to perceive that there was in my person something slightly superior to the average intelligence, certain qualities of distinction which drew upon me the attention and the sympathy of men of taste.
The King looked impassively at my sister, showing not a sign of emotion, and he said to her: "Do you visit there?" "Sire," replied Madame de Thianges, unabashed, "augment the number, not of your enemies, but of your friends; of all policies that is the best." The King never said a word. Soon afterwards, the Lorraines appealed secretly to the Empire and the Emperor.
The Marquise de Thianges felt a certain irritation at the reading of this letter; she offered all our excuses for it to the English Chancellor, and said to me: "I begin to fear that the King of Versailles is not acting with good faith towards you, when he makes your advancement depend on the Marquis de Montespan; it is as though he were giving you a duchy in the moon."
Letter from the Duc de Lorraine. Madame de Thianges Thinks that Her Daughter Has Married a Reigning Prince. The King Disposes Otherwise. The Duc de Nevers. The brilliant Marquis de Lauzun, after paying court to myself, suddenly, turned his attention to Mademoiselle de Thianges, my sister's child.
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