ks, when the king's
carriages were announced, on his return to Marly." The Duchess of
Burgundy was awaiting him on the road. She stepped down and went to the
carriage window. "What are you about, Madame?" exclaimed Madame de
Maintenon; "do not come near us, we are infectious." The king did not
embrace her, and she went back to the palace, but only to be at Marly
next morning before the king was awake.

The king's tears were as short as they had been abundant. He lost a son
who was fifty years old, the most submissive and most respectful creature
in the world, ever in awe of him and obedient to him, gentle and
good-natured, a proper man amid all his indolence and stupidity, brave
and even brilliant at head of an army. In 1688, in front of Philipsburg,
the soldiers had given him the name of "Louis the Bold." He was full of
spirits and always ready, "revelling in the trenches," says Vauban. The
Duke of Montausier, his boyhood's strict governor, had written to him,
"Monseigneur, I do not make you my compliments on the capture of
Philipsburg; you had a fine army, shells, cannon, and Vauban. I do not
make them to you either on your bravery; it is an hereditary virtue in
your house; but I congratulate you on being open-handed, humane,
generous, and appreciative of the services of those who do well; that is
what I make you my compliments upon." "Did not I tell you so?" proudly
exclaimed the Chevalier de Grignan, formerly attached (as menin) to the
person of Monseigneur, on hearing his master's exploits lauded; "for my
part, I am not surprised." Racine had exaggerated the virtues of
Monseigneur in the charming verses of the prologue of Esther:

"Thou givest him a son, an ever ready aid,
Apt or to woo or fight, obey or be obeyed;
A son who, like his sire, drags victory in his train,
Yet boasts but one desire, that father's heart to gain;
A son, who to his will submits with loving air,
Who brings upon his foes perpetual despair.
As the swift spirit flies, stern Equity's envoy,
So, when the king says, 'Go,' down rusheth he in joy,
With vengeful thunderbolt red ruin doth complete,
Then tranquilly returns to lay it at his feet."

In 1690 and in 1691 he had gained distinction as well as in 1688. "The
dauphin has begun as others would think it an honor to leave off," the
Prince of Orange had said, "and, for my part, I shou