CHAPTER XVII.

Sudden and singular Arrival of Lauzun in Fouquet’s Room--The latter had known him formerly under the Name of the Marquis de Puyguilhem--Lauzun enumerates his Dignities and calls himself the King’s Cousin--Fouquet believes his Visitor mad--Portrait of Lauzun--His Adventures--His Arrival at Pignerol--He continues his Visits to Fouquet--The Stories he tells him--Noble Conduct of Louis XIV. towards Lauzun--Audacious Method employed by the latter to overhear a Conversation between Louis XIV. and Madame de Montespan--Difference between the Conduct of Lauzun and that of Fouquet--Lauzun’s Outbursts against Saint-Mars--Perplexity of the latter--Singular Mode of Surveillance to which he has recourse--Progressive amelioration of the Lot of the two Prisoners--They receive Permission to see each other--Arrival of Fouquet’s Daughter at Pignerol--Misunderstanding between Fouquet and Lauzun--Cause of this Misunderstanding 219