him, and make him his Prime Minister.

"Madam d'Etampes was discarded, and received all the ill
treatment she could possibly expect from an enemy so very
powerful; the Duchess of Valentinois amply revenged herself both
of that lady, and all those who had disobliged her; she seemed to
reign more absolute in the King's heart than she did even when he
was Dauphin. During the twelve years' reign of this Prince she
has been absolute in everything; she disposes of all governments
and offices of trust and power; she has disgraced the Cardinal de
Tournon, the Chancellor, and Villeroy; those who have endeavoured
to open the King's mind with respect to her conduct, have been
undone in the attempt; the Count de Taix, great Master of the
Ordnance, who had no kindness for her, could not forbear speaking
of her gallantries, and particularly of that with the Count de
Brissac, of whom the King was already very jealous. Nevertheless
she contrived things so well, that the Count de Taix was
disgraced, and his employment taken from him; and what is almost
incredible, she procured it to be given to the Count de Brissac,
and afterwards made him a Mareschal of France. Notwithstanding,
the King's jealousy increased to such a height, that lie could no
longer suffer him to continue at Court: this passion of jealousy,
which is fierce and violent in other men, is gentle and moderate
in him through the great respect he has for his mistress, and
therefore he did not go about to remove his rival, but under the
pretext of giving him the Government of Piemont. He has lived
there several years; last winter he returned to Paris, under
pretence of demanding troops and other necessaries for the Army
he commands; the desire of seeing the Duchess of Valentinois
again, and the fear of being forgotten by her, was perhaps the