Memoirs of Louis XIV and His Court and of the Regency — Volume 05

In this vivid memoir, a night’s hunt at Saint‑Germain leads a group of courtiers into the unexpected hospitality of a retired nobleman, the enigmatic Fargues. Their host welcomes them with warmth, fine food, and gracious attention, prompting the men to sing his praises upon their return to the royal court. The king, recalling a distant acquaintance, is intrigued, while the queen‑mother senses a lingering tension beneath the surface.

Soon after, the same courtiers find themselves caught in a web of political retribution as the king orders an investigation into Fargues’s past. The narrative paints the delicate balance of loyalty, favor, and the ever‑present danger of old grievances resurfacing in the glittering world of Louis XIV’s court. Listeners are drawn into the clash between personal kindness and the relentless machinery of power, setting the stage for a gripping conflict that will shape the lives of everyone involved.