u Barry

We continued for some minutes silently gazing on the retreating figures
of La Martiniere and his companions.

"Come," said the marechale, "let us return to the house"; saying which,
she supported herself by the arm of comte Jean, whilst I mechanically
followed her example, and sadly and sorrowfully we bent our steps
beneath the splendid colonnade which formed the entrance to the mansion.

When I reached my chamber, I found mademoiselle du Barry there, still
ignorant of the alarming news I had just learned. She earnestly pressed
me to return to bed, but this I refused; for my burning anxiety to learn
every particular relative to the king would have prevented my sleeping.
How different was the style of our present conversation to that of the
preceding evening; no sound of gaiety was heard; hushed alike were the
witty repartee, and the approving laugh which followed it. Now, we
spoke but by fits and starts, with eye and ear on the watch to catch
the slightest sound, whilst the most trifling noise, or the opening of
a door, made us start with trepidation and alarm. The time appeared to
drag on to an interminable length.

At last the duc de Richelieu made his appearance.

"Well, my friends," said he, "the king is to be removed to Versailles,
spite of your wishes, madam, spite of his own royal inclination, and
against mine, likewise. La Martiniere has thundered forth his edict, and
poor Bordeu opposed him in vain. His majesty, who expresses a wish to
remain here, stated his pleasure to La Martiniere."

"'Sire,' answered the obstinate physician, 'it cannot be. You are
too ill to be permitted to take your choice in the matter, and to the
chateau at Versailles you must be removed.'

"'Your words imply my being dangerously indisposed,' said the king,
inquiringly.

"'Your majesty is sufficiently ill to justify every precaution, and to
require our best cares. You must return to the chateau; Trianon is not
healthy; you will be much better at Versailles.'

"'Upon my word, doctor,' replied the king, 'your words are far from
consoling; there must be danger, then, in my present sickness?'

"'There would be considerable danger were you to remain here, whilst
it is very probable you may avoid any chance of it by following my
directions with regard to an immediate removal to Versailles.'

"'I feel but little disposed for the journey,' said his majesty.

"'Still, your majesty must be removed, there is an absolute neces