The king did not long survive the prince his son; he died two years after; he recommended to the dauphin to make use of the cardinal de Tournon and the admiral de Annebault, but said nothingat all of the constable, who was then in banishment at Chantilli. Nevertheless the first thing the king his son did was to recall 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 galantries, 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 he 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 Valen-
