Mademoiselle de Tonnay-Charente

Also known as: Amaryllis / Athenais / Madame de Montespan / Tonnay-Charente / beautiful Athenais · Family: court · Role: maid of honor · First appears: Chapter 14

At court, Mademoiselle de Tonnay-Charente drew the compliments of Prince de Conde in chapter 14. By chapter 30, she and Montalais were winning at cards from Manicamp and Malicorne, and in chapter 38 Louis XIV considered her as the object of his glance while asking Henrietta what she thought of her. She was among the companions of La Vallière and Montalais, saying, “We are three in number, we like one another, and the night is lovely.” In chapter 41, M. de Montespan continued to love the proud Athenais, though she did not love him.

In chapters 42–44, Athenais helped La Vallière and Montalais reach the inner apartments and shared their secret when La Vallière confessed her love for Louis XIV. Saint-Aignan overheard them, while Madame reassured Athenais that she was not angry and instructed the three women to say they had knowingly jested with the king and Saint-Aignan. Athenais was also linked with Saint-Aignan through his surprise at the conquest and discovery.

By chapter 47, M. de Montespan was identified as her intended, though she did not speak in a way that discouraged suitors. In chapter 54, Montalais recalled Athenais seeking private conversation in their room, and in chapter 57 Athenais confirmed Madame’s account as “The perfect truth.”