Here is a quote with what I first thought was a typo, but since it is repeated twice, seems to me to be a goof on the part of the translator. A levée was the reception given by the king to important persons soon after he arose in the morning.(lever = arise) It could also be used for other recptions. Here's the quote:
"Louis XIV absorbed all the smaller stars of his court in his own vast radiance; but his father, a sun pluribus impar, left his personal splendor to each of his favorites, his individual value to each of his courtiers. In addition to the leeves of the king and the cardinal, there might be reckoned in Paris at that time more than two hundred smaller but still noteworthy leeves. Among these two hundred leeves, that of Tréville was one of the most sought."

While we're at it, who can translate "a sun pluribus impar"?

It's a rather bitchy comment. Apparently Louis XIV's motto was nec pluribus impar, which means 'not inferior to many'. Nec means not here.

See: http://www.sacklunch.net/Latin/N/necpluribusimpar.html

Bingley

Wow, Bingley, what a beautiful site! To those who go there, click on "Index" and see all the lovely Latin mottoes!