She possessed the most magnificent jewels in France, and especially pearls of a size so large, that they made the king sigh every time he saw them, because the pearls of his crown were like millet-seed compared to them.

Anne of Austria had neither beauty nor charms any longer at her disposal.

She gave out, therefore, that her wealth was great, and as an inducement for others to visit her apartments, she let it be known that there were good gold crowns to be won at play, or that handsome presents were likely to be made on days when all went well with her: or windfalls, in the shape of annuities which she had wrung from the king by entreaty, and which she determined to do to maintain her credit.

And, in the first place, she tried these means upon Madame, because, to gain her consent was of more importance than anything else.

Madame, notwithstanding the bold confidence with which her wit and beauty inspired her, blindly ran head foremost into the net which had been stretched out to catch her.
Enriched by degrees by these presents and transfers of property, she took a fancy to these inheritances by anticipation.