Dangeau’s Diary, March 1688

2d. — Intelligence from Rome has arrived stating that the Pope was extremely vexed and mortified at the decree of the parliament, and the speech of Monsieur Talon, that at first he was inclined to proceed to excommunications, but that afterwards he determined to listen to the Cardinals, whom he consulted two by two. The life of Mademoiselle de Guise is despaired of. She is dying of a cancer in the womb, and is in her seventy-third year.

3d. — After dinner, the King set off early and went to Saint-Germain to see a great quantity of deer removed from the parks. He afterwards returned to Marly. Upon his arrival, he led the ladies into his apartment, in which there was a magnificent cabinet with thirty drawers, each containing a trinket of gold and diamonds. He made all the ladies sit down to raffle, and each one had her lot. The empty cabinet was for the thirty-first lady. In each lot there was a secret drawer, and in each secret drawer, jewellery, which enhanced the value of the lot very considerably. All the ladies were well satisfied, for all the lots were valuable. This lottery must have cost the King four thousand pistoles.

22d. — The Venetians are anxious for Monsieur de Turenne to accept the post of lieutenant-general, under Monsieur de Konigsmarck. Our ambassador at Venice has written to the King on the subject, but his Majesty has not yet returned any answer. The family of Monsieur de Turenne, conceiving that the King’s silence was not a mark of approbation, have written to him not to accept the office.

23d. — Monseigneur has ordered twenty-five superb coats to be made for the wolf hunt.

24th. — The King told Monseigneur that he did wrong in not giving one of his coats to Monsieur du Maine and that Monsieur du Maine was wrong in not asking him for one. Monseigneur has had one made for him.

26th. — Monsieur de Mortemart is still very ill, and it is hoped that Monsieur de Vivonne, his father, will be affected by his situation and will afford him the consolation of seeing him before he dies, which he most ardently desires.