continued walking up and down the room with, his arms folded and
his eyes fixed on the floor, till we were joined by the marechale de
Mirepoix and the comtesse de Forcalquier. Madame de Flaracourt had taken
her departure at an early hour, either ignorant of what had occurred or
with the intention of being prepared for whatever might happen.

As yet, it was but little in the power of any person to predict the
coming blow. "The king is ill," said each of us as we met. "The king is
ill," was the morning salutation of the ducs de Richelieu, de Noailles,
de Duras, and de Cosse. The prince de Soubise had followed the example
of madame de Flaracourt, and had quitted Trianon; it seemed as though
the hour for defection were already arrived. A summons now arrived from
his majesty who wished to see me. I lost not a moment in repairing to
his apartment, where I found him in bed, apparently in much pain and
uneasiness. He received me tenderly, took my hands in his, and kissed
them; then exclaimed,

"I feel more indisposed than I can describe, a weight seems
pressing on my chest, and universal languor appears to chain my
faculties both of body and mind. I should like to see La Martiniere."

"And would you not likewise wish to have the advice of Bordeu?"

"'Yes," said he, "let both come, they are both clever men, and I have
full confidence in their skill. But do you imagine that my present
illness will be of a serious nature?"

"By no means, sire," returned I, "merely temporary, I trust and
believe."

"Perhaps I took more wine than agreed with me last evening; but where is
the marechale?"

"In my chamber with madame de Forcalquier."

"And the prince de Soubise?"

"He has taken flight," replied I, laughing.

"I suppose so," returned Louis XV, "he could not bear a long absence
from Paris; company he must have."

"In that respect he resembles you, sire, for you generally consider
company as a necessary good."

He smiled, and then closing his eyes remained for some minutes silent
and motionless, after a while he said,

"My head is very heavy, so farewell, my sweet friend, I will endeavour
to get some sleep."

"Sleep, sire!" said I, "and may it prove as healthful and refreshing as
I pray it may."

So saying, I glided out of the room and returned to my friends, I found
madame de Mirepoix and the duc de Cosse waiting for me in the anteroom.

"How is the king?" inquired they both in a breath.

"Better than I expected,