l hope was at an end.

"Is the king dead?" cried I, in a stifled voice.

"No, madam," replied he, "Louis XV still lives, nor is it by any means
certain that the misfortune you apprehend is in store for us."

"He sends me from him, then," exclaimed I, with a convulsive cry, "and
my enemies have triumphed."

"His majesty is but of human nature, madam," replied the duke; "he feels
himself dangerously ill, dreads the future, and believes that he owes
his people a sort of reparation for past errors."

"How, my lord duke," interrupted I, "this grave language in your
lips--but no matter. Inform me only at whose desire you state these
melancholy facts; speak, I am prepared for your mission, be it what it
may."

"You shall hear everything, madam," replied the duke, leading me to an
arm-chair. I seated myself; my sisters-in-law, my niece, and comte Jean
stood around me, eagerly waiting the duke's communication. "A few hours
after you had been removed from his chamber, the king inquired of the
princess Adelaide whether it were generally known at Paris that he had
the small-pox. The princess replied in the affirmative, adding:

"'The archbishop of Paris was here twice during yesterday to inquire
after you.'

"'Yet I belong more properly to the diocese of Chartres,' returned the
king, 'and surely M. de Fleury would not interest himself less about me
than M. de Beaumont.'

"'They are both truly anxious about you, my dearest father, and if you
would only see them--'

"'No, no,' answered Louis XV; 'they must not be taken from the duties
of their respective dioceses; besides, in case of need, I have my grand
almoner.'

"Madame Adelaide did not venture to urge the matter further just then,
and, after a short interval of silence, a message was brought from you,
inquiring whether you could see the king, to which he himself replied,
that he felt inclined to sleep, and would rather not see any person that
night. I was in the chamber, and he very shortly called me to him, and
said:

"'Duc d'Aiguillon, I have the small-pox; and you are aware that there
is a sort of etiquette in my family which enjoins my immediately
discharging my duties as a Christian.'

"'Yes, sire, if the malady wore a serious aspect; but in your case--'

"'May God grant,' replied he, 'that my disorder be not dangerous;
however, it may become so, if it is as yet harmless, and I would fain
die as a believer rather than an infidel. I have been a great sinner