Madame de Maintenon. The opening of this text includes a preface and introduction that set the stage for the selections to follow. The editor, Arthur Tilley, discusses the challenge of reading the entire collection of Saint-Simon's "Mémoires," comprising numerous volumes filled with historical accounts. Instead, he chooses excerpts focusing on the reign of Louis XIV that illustrate the complexities and decadence of that era. The introduction also outlines Saint-Simon's background, his rise to prominence at court, and his distinctive style, emphasizing his sharp observations and rich character studies, making the memoirs a treasure trove for those interested in French history and literature. (This is an automatically generated summary.)