Malicorne

Also known as: M. Malicorne / M. de Malicorne / Monsieur Malicorne · Family: French court · Role: clerk · First appears: Chapter 2

At Blois in chapter 2, Malicorne courted Montalais while securing the lady-of-honor commission she wanted, turning their exchange of favors into a mutual confession that they could not live without each other. He kissed her, and she later admitted she was falling in love with him; by chapter 6, they described themselves as “We are affianced, or nearly so.” Madame de Saint-Remy, however, regarded him as a persistent nuisance and one of her antipathies.

In chapter 3, Malicorne’s influence made him Montalais’s protector, and he promised to obtain Louise de la Vallière’s appointment as maid of honor to Madame Henrietta. He worked through Manicamp, De Guiche, and Monsieur to secure posts and commissions, while borrowing and lending money at interest to support his advancement. At the Hotel Grammont, he told Montalais that he was not born a gentleman and used only the name Malicorne; De Guiche nevertheless promised him the court post he sought.

In the later chapters, Malicorne helped Raoul de Bragelonne as a guide and introducer, remained protected by Montalais, and traded in information, including a secret bought by Chevalier de Lorraine. After being expelled from the Beau Paon and losing rooms claimed as his own, he was advanced through Manicamp and De Guiche into Monsieur’s household, first as chief usher and then as master of the apartments. His position there made him useful to Louis XIV, who ordered Saint-Aignan to reach Montalais through him, and Malicorne answered the king’s command with obedience.