La Vallière

Also known as: Galatea / Louise / Louise de la Vallière / Mademoiselle Louise de la Vallière / Mademoiselle de la Baume le Blanc de la Vallière / Mademoiselle de la Vallière / Mademoiselle la Baume le Blanc de la Vallière · Family: court · Role: maid of honor · First appears: Chapter 3

In chapter 3, Madame de Saint-Remy calls La Vallière her daughter, while Montalais offers her friendship and Malicorne secures her appointment as Madame Henrietta of England’s maid of honor: “Mademoiselle de la Vallière shall be a maid of honor.” After leaving Blois for Paris, La Vallière learns that Montalais intercepted Raoul de Bragelonne’s letters; she accepts Raoul de Bragelonne’s marriage proposal, and he seeks consent to marry her. De Guiche later helps secure her admission among Madame’s maids of honor, while La Vallière and Mademoiselle de Tonnay-Charente join Montalais as companions.

By chapters 40–43, Louis XIV refuses permission for La Vallière’s marriage to Raoul de Bragelonne, and she begins to doubt her love for him. She confesses to Montalais and Mademoiselle de Tonnay-Charente that she loves the king, then faints from exhaustion and shame; after Louis XIV reveals that he overheard her confession, she faints again. The court learns of her affection, Madame orders the three companions to disguise what happened as a jest, and Louis XIV is said to have fallen in love with her, while Raoul de Bragelonne remains devoted and is described as her affianced suitor.

In chapters 46–58, La Vallière becomes the focus of court attention and gossip. Fouquet is directed to pay court to her, though Aramis later tells him to become her devoted friend instead; La Vallière maintains good understanding with Fouquet, and she tells Raoul de Bragelonne that her heart will never be cold toward him as a friend. Madame treats her as a rival for the king’s heart, Montalais inwardly resents her, and Queen Maria is jealous of the attention Louis XIV gives her. Although Louis XIV orders that La Vallière’s marriage to Raoul de Bragelonne be celebrated after his return from England, La Vallière finally tells him, “I said that I loved you, and it is true; I do love you.” He declares his love, places her under his safeguard, publicly shows her extraordinary deference, and gives her the lottery bracelets; she refuses the advancement he proposes for herself and M. de Saint-Remy.