bestowed upon the unfortunate lady the utmost attention,
but it was long ere she revived. I then wished to persuade her to
take some rest. 'No,' cried she, rising and giving me orders for her
immediate departure, 'I have not sufficient time for rest; scarcely will
the short period between me and eternity allow me to set my affairs in
order.' Surprised at this language, I begged of her to explain herself.
'You are aware,' said she, 'of the fatal power possessed by my family;
well, at the moment in which I was sitting beside you on this sofa,
happening to cast my eyes on the mirror opposite, I saw myself as a
corpse wrapped in the habiliments of death, and partly covered with
a black and white drapery; beside me was an open coffin. This is
sufficient; I have no time to lose: farewell, my friend, we shall meet
no more' Thunderstruck at these words, I suffered the lady to depart
without attempting to combat her opinion. This morning I received
intelligence from her son that the prophecy had been fulfilled--she was
no more."

When the marechal had finished, I exclaimed,

"You have told us a sad dismal tale; I really fear I shall not be able
to close my eyes at all to-night for thinking of it."

"We must think of some means of keeping up your spirits," answered
Louis XV. "As for your story, marechal, it does not surprise me; things
equally inexplicable are continually taking place. I read in a letter
addressed by Philip V, of Spain, to Louis XIV, 'that the spirit of
Philip II, founder of the Escurial, wanders at certain intervals around
that building.' Philip V affirms that he himself witnessed the apparition
of the spectre of the king."

At this moment supper was announced. "Come, gentlemen," said I, "let us
seek to banish these gloomy ideas around our festive board." Upon
which the king conducted me to the supper-room, the rest of the company
following us. Spite of all my efforts to be gay, and induce others to be
so likewise, the conversation still lingered upon this dismal subject.

"Heaven grant," exclaimed the chancellor, "that I may not soon have to
dread a visit from the ghost of the deceased parliament; however, if
such were the case, it would not prevent my sleeping."

"Oh!" cried the king, "these long-robed gentlemen have often more
effectually robbed me of sleep than all the spectres in the world could
do; yet one night--"

"Well, sire," said I, seeing that Louis was silent, "and what happened
to you that