[89] Claude-Maur d’Aubigny or d’Aubigné was of an old family of Anjou the connexion of which with that of Mme de Maintenon was very doubtful, but they were now glad to claim cousinship with the powerful favourite, whose nobility did not go back beyond her grandfather.
[90] The Maréchal-comte de Tessé was a skilful general, but he lacked decision, and he was more successful as a diplomatist. It was he who under orders from Louvois sacked Heidelberg and blew up the château. Saint-Simon’s portrait of him (III. 388-9) is less than fair. His Mémoires et Lettres were published in 2 vols. in 1806.
[91] See above, p. 10, [n. 31].
[92] See [below] for his portrait.
[93] Saint-Simon, I. 274, says that Mme de Maintenon dined regularly once, and sometimes twice a week, either at the Hôtel de Beauvillier or the Hôtel de Chevreuse at Versailles with the two Dukes and their wives. But the affair of Quietism put an end to their intimate meetings, for both Dukes were close allies of Fénelon.
[94] For Mme de Maintenon and Saint-Cyr see Sainte-Beuve, Caus. du Lundi, VIII. 473, an article inspired by T. Lavallée, Mme de Maintenon et la maison royale de Saint-Cyr.
[95] The Marquise de Dangeau, née Löwenstein, was of the family of the Electors of Bavaria. She was an excellent woman, of great charm and beauty, and was a close friend of Mme de Maintenon, with whom she frequently corresponded. “Elle est la favorite de la pantocrate... on dit qu’elle a sur celle-ci un pouvoir aussi absolu que celui de la dame sur le Roi.” (Corr. de Madame, I. 237.)
[96] Marie-Anne-Christine, sister of Maximilian II, Elector of Bavaria, married the Dauphin in 1686 and died in 1690.
[97] See later, [p. 65], for a passage from vol. VI. in which Saint-Simon describes the “mécanique de chez Mme de Maintenon” at greater length.
[98] The extent of Mme de Maintenon’s influence on the government has been much discussed. See A. de Boislisle’s note on this passage (XXVII. 254, n. 5), and Lavisse, Hist. de France, VIII. Pt I. 282-5, 431-6. The opinion of both these authorities is that Saint-Simon’s account of her share in affairs is not exaggerated. She was certainly much concerned with Spanish politics, she corresponded regularly with Villars during all his campaigns from 1703, and she took a large part in all religious questions.