The last great female presence in the life of Louis XIV, Madame de Maintenon was first brought to the king’s attention by Madame de Montespan. Serving at first as governess to Louis XIV’s illegitimate children away from the prying eyes of the court, she later married the king in secret. Eventually Madame de Maintenon deposed her rival and became the dominant female force at Versailles, where she imposed a new sense of order and propriety.