Montalais

Also known as: Aure / Mademoiselle de Montalais / our old friend Montalais · Family: French court · Role: attendant · First appears: Chapter 10

In chapter 10, Madame ended Montalais’s attendance, yet by chapter 13 she was seen with Malicorne, and in chapter 20 Manicamp followed her. In chapter 21, Montalais kept Madame’s blood-stained mask as a secret token—“I shall not give back this mask; it is far too precious now.”—and declared that Malicorne would preserve her collection. She also reported that matters were going well concerning De Guiche, and answered when Louis XIV summoned her in chapter 28.

By chapters 30–32, Montalais and Malicorne were friends whose efforts carried messages to Madame and the king, while she helped him approach her. She gave Mademoiselle de la Vallière the true account of the handkerchief’s transfer, and was described as her oldest and exceedingly devoted friend, a place where secrets could be confided. Montalais and Mademoiselle de la Vallière were then ordered to sleep in Madame’s cabinet, though Madame sent Montalais away in chapter 33.

In chapters 34–35, Madame first selected Montalais for the promenade to Saint-Germain, later ordering Mademoiselle de la Vallière to join them. Montalais told her that Madame had sent a letter concerning Raoul to Hampton Court, and in chapter 39 warned her of his approach; when Raoul returned and Mademoiselle de la Vallière recoiled, she fell into Montalais’s arms. Montalais later revealed that Madame had summoned Raoul, and in chapter 52 preceded him into Madame’s apartments.