A Remarkable Woman.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 2089, 24 January 1896, Page 4

A Remarkable Woman.

Flain woraeu in fiction are ignored or forsaken; iu reality tibey occasionally conquer many hearts and cause great stir. Marie Maucini was exceptionally plain. They nicknamed her "the Blackamoor." Sallow, lean, and lanky, there was no end to her arms end "neck, her mouth was wide and flat, her black eyes were hard, her whole person lacked charm, and her mind matched the rest. She was one of the ten nieces and nephews imported into France by Cardinal Mazarin. Marie Manc-ini differed from tlhe rest of her family in looks only. Amongst her lovely sisters she resembled a savage, bristling animal, always ready to bite. Her mother's dying wish to have her cloistered, to avoid the calamities which, according to her father's prophecy, she was to bring about. Mazarin, though not free from superstition, disbelieved his brother-in-law and kept Marie at Court, where she made good use of her time. She read, studied, and polished her mind in the refined society she frequented. She was eighteen or nineteen when Louis XIV. fell seriously ill and was at dearth's door. Marie's ardent southern nature disdained etiquette and conventionality. She was fond of the young king, and not ashamed of betraying her passion, alarmed the whole Court by her heartrending sobs. At his unexpected recovery everyone told him of Marie's extraordinary grief. He was not then the grand monarque, adulated like a divinity, but a mere youth, who blushed and paled easily, and trembled when a pretty damsel pressed his hand. The thought of having excited a grand passion flattered him exceedingly. He looked at Marie Maucini more carefully and found she had vastly improved. I ndeed there was something about her personality that enveloped, inflamed, and devoured those that came too near. Louis talked to her, and the passionate accents of her thrilling voice carried him away like a straw in a storm. She instilled into him nobler ambitions than the choice of his costumes or the mastering of a new minuet step. She reminded him that he was a king, and incited him to become a great king. Louis XIV. never forgot that lesson. She rendered herself indispensable. At the palace 9he was his shadow, whilst he had eyes for her alone. If the Court travelled, Marie left the coach and crossed hills and dales on horseback, her troubadour by her side. For them there was neither winter nor summer, lain, wind, nor cold. They were together, that was enough; it was everything. Mistress of the king's heart and mind, it was natural that the ambitious Italian should want to share his throne. Only, to gain her object, she must have persuaded her uncle that his power would always remain what it then was, unlimited. Unfortunately for her cause, Marie was too impetuous and passionate to be diplomatic. What she had set her mind to, must happen at all costs—she knew no obstacles! So far, however, her conduct towards her uncle had given him no grounds for suspecting her submissiveness; and as long as his own interests did not suffer, he was quite agreeable to receive Louis XIV. into his family! One other person, however, generally tractable enough in his reft hands, threatened to prevent such an alliance —the king's mother, the proud Anne of Austria. Mazarin, in a long interview with his niece, gathered that with his aid the crown was within her reach. Evidently his course was clear ; one serious obstacle only was in the way—the dowager queen's hostility. He resolved to speak plainly of the impending marriage, trusting to his influence over her to get her consent He was mistaken. Instead of falling in with his views, she informed him that she could not believe the king, her son, capable of such disgraceful weakness; but if he should think of it, all France would rise against him and the cardinal, and she herself would head the rebellion. Between the sacrifice of Marie's interests and his own the prime minister had not a minute's hesitation. To the queen's joyful surprise he suddenly turned round completely and voted for a Spanish marriage, upon which she had long set her heart. Marie Mancinl was not easily daunted. Too Impetuous for intriguing, she meant to win by insolence. She defied the Queen to

her face, followed Louis about more than Qver, even into his mother's apartments, acquainted him with all the evil reports current about her, and actually succeeded in rendering undutiful this most respectful of sons! _ Yet it has been remarked that Louis XIV. was too selfish ever to have truly loved, and thajt Marie's heart, if she possessed one, was lodged in her head. Whether their love was genuine on not, they believed in it for a whole year, and declared themselves ready to die for it! But Mazarin's steady diplomacy proved stronger than that love. Whilst they daily renewed eternal vows the Spanish match was quietly being settled,and when all was ready Mdle.Mancini received orders to retire to the Castle of Brouage, near La Rochelle. The king, closeted with his mother, heard the news calmly enough, though he shed some tears. Only when he witnessed Marie's sombre despair, her bitter grief, and reproaches, did he also grow desperate. Hastening to the queen and cardinal he declared that he would not, could not. give her up,and on his knees begged their consent to his marriage. Mazarin, however, solemnly declared that: rather than allow it he would stab his niece with his own hand. Believing the Spanish match a foregone conclusion, she resolved to retire gracefully by informing her uncle that she gave up all idea of becoming Queen of Fraa«>. Having taken the decisive step, itrArie felt relieved, and soon discovered that the undying passion so reluctantly renounced, had already burnt itself out. Louis XIV.. deeply hurt at her sudden renunciation of him, married the Infanta Maria Theresa on the Oth of June, IGCO, six months after he aud Marie had vowed eternal fidelity. On his return journey from Spain he piously visited Brouage, where she had suffered so much for love of him. On reaching Fontainebleau he heard that she, whom he still believed dissolved in tears, was devoured by a second burning passion. The most ordinary mortal resents being replaced; how much more a king, and most of all the grand monarch. No wonder that, when Marie at her uncle's command went to make her courtesy to the new queen, her reception was decidedly cold! Soon after Louis XIV. ordered Mdlle. Mancini to marry Connetable Colonna, a hitherto disdained admirer, and as he was settled in Italy she was sent to join him, being thus literally expelled from France! Madame Colonna did not fancy her husband, but bewitched, like all her admirers, he put up with her sulks, provided fairy-like entertainments,spoilt, petted her,and studied her whims, until he won her good graces, quite suddenly, just when he was beginning to despair. They lived happily and had many children, with this difference only, that at the fifth child Madame la Connetable declared herself tired of family joys and began an adventurous and nomadic career. Unable to tire by her pranks the inexhaustible indulgence of an infatuated husband, she resolved upon flight. Oue fine morning she and her sister Hortense, likewise weary of conjugal fetters, drove out of Rome, concealing manly apparel under their ordinary dress. At Civita Vecehia they dismissed their carriages and waited twentyfour hours, hiding in a wood without food or covering, for the boat they had ordered. At last it came, but the crew, suspecting an escapade, extorted enormous sums from the ladies, threatening to upset the felucca if their demands were not immediately satisfied. After running untold risks from tempests and pirates, and constantly expecting to be overtaken by their husbands, they reached Marseilles, where they had only rested one hour at a miserable inn, when, to escape the much-dreaded pursuit, they had to "move on." They roa/med about the south of France for a considerable time, deprived of the most essential necessaries, reduced to begging. At Reims she seems to have taken a fancy to convent life; at all events, she visited many in various countries, turning up as a rule where she was least expected. In January, lt>So. she appears at Madrid, where she claims the protection of the French Ambassador, M. do Villars, against her still doting husband. She has not given up her hope of fascinating anew her royal lover, upon whom Madame de Maintenon now keeps a watchful eye! So far from being admitted at court, Madame Colonna is forbidden to cross the French frontiers. Her irrelevant conduct at the convents made her anything but a welcome guest. Contrary to most women, she had grown goodlooking with advancing years. Her complexion had cleared up, her figure filled out, her brilliant eyes became soft and appealing, hair and teeth were well preserved. Weary of roaming, she bursts in upon her husband one fine morning. He. overjoyed to get her back, intimates his intention of keeping his linnet caged now. Such is not Madame Colouna's idea, however. Terrible scenes ensue, which set all Madrid talking. The king, queen, their ministers, and even the grand inquisitor interfere. At his wit's ends, the Connetable orders her formal arrest by imen-a't -taring, who unceremoniously drag her to prison by the hair aud halfnaked. He now promises to enter the Holy Order of the Knights of Malta on condition that she shall become a nun. And, behold, on a certain Saturday morning, she takes the veil of a novice in a convent at Madrid. Her husband himself sees the folly of his suggestion, and at last leaves lier for good and all ! But it would have been more magnanimous to provide for her than to leave her to poverty in a garret without fire—in need of everything. Probably he regretted his cruelty, for at his death, in 1688, he not alone left her his fortune, but asked her forgiveness, and, to exonerate her in the eyes of her children, took upou himself the blame of her erratic conduct. Once more she led a joyous existence, her coquetry increasing with years. In 1705 she appeared in France for the last time, still intending to see the king, but always prevented. The date of her death is uncertain, but she is supposed to have lived until 1715. SOME SUNDAY SCHOOL VERSE. Concerning who's the smallest man, St. Peter fills the notch; Because the Bible says of him, He slept upon his watch. The straightest man of ancient times Was Joseph, smooth and slim, Because the King of Egypt made A ruler out of him. The strongest man of whom we know Was Jonah on a tear; For though the whale had got him down It couldn't keep him there.