Malicorne

Also known as: M. Malicorne / M. de Malicorne / Monsieur Malicorne / Monsieur de Malicorne · Family: French court · Role: court intriguer · First appears: Chapter 11

In chapter 11, Malicorne and Aure de Montalais agreed to jointly manage the court’s intrigues, forming “an offensive and defensive alliance.” He revealed that he held the intercepted letters in his box and accepted responsibility for guarding De Guiche’s endangered interests. By chapter 13, he was seen together with Montalais, and in chapter 21 she placed him in charge of preserving her collection, imagining him as keeper of the records and historiographer of the house of Bourbon. In chapter 22, he supplied Louis XIV’s horse and was associated with Monsieur’s household.

By chapters 29–32, Malicorne followed Louis XIV and D’Artagnan, acted for the king before Montalais, and secretly took the king’s handkerchief before restoring it to Mademoiselle de la Vallière. Louis XIV approved his deception, but Malicorne was then arrested and taken to the guard-house. After Madame obtained his dismissal from Monsieur’s household, Louis XIV compensated him with fifty thousand francs and appointed him to his own household.

In chapters 33–39, Malicorne worked with Saint-Aignan and Mademoiselle de la Vallière to arrange Louis XIV’s visits. He proposed and helped complete a concealed staircase between their rooms, passed the king’s letter through the floor, and persuaded Saint-Aignan to leave Louis XIV alone during the next rendezvous. He also postponed the painter’s sitting to extend the private opportunity, and by chapter 36 was received by Saint-Aignan with open arms, though with some sadness.