Still, the old palace was not empty; it had, on the contrary, several tenants.

Like the provinces of Alexander's empire, its vast suites of rooms had been subdivided; and so neglected was it by the gay world that people of the commonest description strutted about with impunity where once the proudest nobles had been glad to gain admittance.

There in semi-isolation and despoiled of her greatness lived Angelique-Louise de Guerchi, formerly companion to Mademoiselle de Pons and then maid of honour to Anne of Austria.
Her love intrigues and the scandals they gave rise to had led to her dismissal from court.

Not that she was a greater sinner than many who remained behind, only she was unlucky enough or stupid enough to be found out.

Her admirers were so indiscreet that they had not left her a shred of reputation, and in a court where a cardinal is the lover of a queen, a hypocritical appearance of decorum is indispensable to success.
So Angelique had to suffer for the faults she was not clever enough to hide.