Madame

Also known as: Duchess of Orleans / English princess / Henrietta / Madame Henrietta / her royal highness / the princess · Family: French court · Role: princess · First appears: Chapter 10

Madame, also known as the Duchess of Orleans and Henrietta, is a princess of the French court and the sister of Louis XIV. In chapter 10, she confesses her love to De Guiche, sealing it with a kiss: “I am a woman,” she said, in a voice lower than ever, “and I love.” She is described as his accepted lover, while De Wardes discovers their secret; she also declares herself not jealous of Mademoiselle de la Vallière and dismisses Montalais from her attendance. By chapter 12, she is married to Monsieur, has treated De Wardes and Chevalier de Lorraine as enemies, and is associated with courtship involving Duke of Buckingham as well as De Guiche.

After De Guiche is wounded fighting because of her, Madame secretly sends attendants to inquire after him and visits him in chapter 21. She continues to regard him as a friend and suitor, while Montalais keeps Madame’s blood-stained mask as a precious token. In chapter 23, Anne of Austria orders her to summon Mademoiselle de la Vallière before the court; Madame later expels Louise from her household, then agrees in chapter 30 to restore her at Louis XIV’s request. Their attempted reconciliation fails when Madame identifies Louise as his mistress, though she later alternates between excluding and including her in the household’s promenade.

In chapter 38, Madame urgently writes to her brother Charles II to send Raoul back to France. By chapter 52, she warns Raoul that she may dismiss Mademoiselle de la Vallière, rejects Louis XIV’s pleas concerning her, and states, “I will be your friend on this occasion.” In chapter 53, she gives Raoul proof of Mademoiselle de la Vallière’s liaison and reveals that she caused his return from London; she also remains known as a great friend of De Guiche.