main whilst I dine.
I have to keep up the conversation, which flags every moment, and to
manage so as to harmonize minds and reconcile hearts which are as far as
possible asunder. The circle is all round me, and I cannot ask for
anything to drink; I sometimes say to them (aside), 'It is a great honor,
but really I should prefer a footman.' At last they all go away to
dinner. I should be free during that time, if Monseigneur did not
generally choose it for coming to see me, for he often dines earlier in
order to go hunting. He is very difficult to entertain, having very
little to say, and finding himself a bore, and running away from himself
continually; so I have to talk for two. Immediately after the king has
dined, he comes into my room with all the royal family, princes and
princesses; then I must be prepared for the gayest of conversation, and
wear a smiling face amidst so much distressing news. When this company
disperses, some lady has always something particular to say to me; the
Duchess of Burgundy also wants to have a chat. The king returns from
hunting. He comes to me. The door is shut, and nobody else is admitted.
Then I have to share his secret troubles, which are no small number.
Arrives a minister; and the king sets himself to work. If I am not
wanted at this consultation, which seldom happens, I withdraw to some
farther distance and write or pray. I sup, whilst the king is still at
work. I am restless, whether he is alone or not. The king says to me,
'You are tired, Madame; go to bed.' My women come. But I feel that they
interfere with the king, who would chat with me, and does not like to
chat before them; or, perhaps, there are some ministers still there, whom
he is afraid they may overhear. Wherefore I make haste to undress, so
much so that I often feel quite ill from it. At last I am in bed. The
king comes up and remains by my pillow until he goes to supper. But a
quarter of an hour before supper, the dauphin and the Duke and Duchess of
Burgundy come in to me again. At ten, everybody goes out. At last I am
alone, but very often the fatigues of the day prevent me from sleeping."

She was at that time seventy. She was often ailing; but the Duchess of
Burgundy was still very young, and the burden of the most private matters
of court diplomacy fell entirely upon Madame de Maintenon. "The Princess
des Ursins is about to return to Spain," she said; "if I do not take her
in hand, if I d