sity
for it, and I take all the responsibility upon myself.'

"'What do you think of this determination, Bordeu?'

"'I think, sire, that you may be permitted to please yourself.'

"'You hear that, La Martiniere?'

"'Yes, sire, and your majesty heard my opinion likewise.' Then turning
towards Bordeu, 'Sir,' exclaimed he, 'I call upon you in my capacity
of head physician to the king, to state your opinion in writing, and to
abide by the consequences of it; you who are not one of his majesty's
physicians.'

"At this direct appeal, your doctor, driven to extremities, adopted
either the wise or cowardly resolution of maintaining a strict silence.
The king, who was awaiting his reply with much impatience, perceiving
his reluctance to speak, turned towards the duc de Duras, who was in
attendance upon him, and said, 'Let them take me when and where my head
physician advises.'"

At this recital I shed fresh tears. The duke afterwards told us that
when La Martiniere had quitted his majesty, he went to ascertain the
condition of the wretched girl who had introduced all this uneasiness
among us, and after having attentively examined her, he exclaimed, "She
is past all hope, God only knows what the consequences may be." This
gloomy prognostic added still more to my distress, and whilst those
around me strove to communicate fresh hopes and confidence to my
tortured mind, I remained in a state too depressed and dejected to admit
one, even one ray of consolation.

The king was removed from Trianon, followed by all the persons belonging
to his suite. The marechale insisted upon deferring her departure till
I quitted the place. We set out a few minutes after his majesty, and
my coachman had orders to observe the same slow pace at which the
royal carriage travelled. Scarcely had we reached Versailles, when
mechanically directing my eyes towards the iron gate leading to the
garden, a sudden paleness overspread my countenance, and a cry of terror
escaped me, for, leaning against the gate in question, I perceived that
singular being, who, after having foretold my elevation, had engaged to
present himself before me, when a sudden reverse was about to overtake
me. This unexpected fulfilment of his promise threw me into the most
cruel agitation, and I could not refrain from explaining the cause of my
alarm to those who were with me. No sooner had I made myself understood
than Comte Jean stopped the carriage, and jumped out with the inte