THE GARDENS OF ITALY. 



Less beautiful than Hortense, afterwards Duchess of Mazarin, Maria was clever, spirituelle 

 and fascinating in no ordinary degree. Beginning by being thin and brown, her looks 

 improved, and a miniature by Mignard represents her with large, sparkling dark eyes, crisp, 

 curling black hair, an espityle expression, and exquisite shoulders, exposed in the daring 

 fashion of the day. 



Louis XIV fell in love with her. He had at first been attracted by her sister Olympe, but after 

 the former became Comtesse de Soissons in 1657 his continued visits to the Comtesse were really 

 prompted by his growing affection for Maria. The young girl's influence over the young King 

 became daily stronger. She was even then one of the most cultivated women of the time, and 

 she made him read and share all her tastes and ideas. They met continually in the easiest 



I O2. THE LOWER TERRACE. 



manner. In Paris she was foremost in all the most brilliant fetes, the King always at her side, 

 arid when he was seized with a dangerous illness in camp the following summer, her anxiety 

 and affection could not be concealed. During his convalescence they rode and walked for hours 

 together, and Maria, who had been described in memoirs of the day as hardie et rude, became 

 soft and gay as everyone tried to please her, and burnt incense before the rising star. It was 

 in the midst of her happy dream that the Cardinal and Queen-mother urged on the King an 

 alliance with the House of Savoy. With a very ill grace the King allowed a non-committing 

 meeting with the Duchess of Savoy and her daughter to be arranged at Lyons, and Maria rode 

 with the Court. The meeting had no result, and all could see the reason. That was Maria's 

 hour of triumph. The King never left her. He rode by her side, himself saw to the choice 



