joy. The King was carried to bed, and the surgeons having examined
his wound found it very considerable. The Constable immediately called
to mind the prediction which had been told the King, that he should be
killed in single fight; and he made no doubt but the prediction would
be now accomplished. The King of Spain, who was then at Brussels, being
advertised of this accident, sent his physician, who was a man of great
reputation, but that physician judged the King past hope.

A Court so divided, and filled with so many opposite interests, could
not but be in great agitation on the breaking out of so grand an event;
nevertheless all things were kept quiet, and nothing was seen but a
general anxiety for the King's health. The Queens, the Princes and
Princesses hardly ever went out of his anti-chamber.

Madam de Cleves, knowing that she was obliged to be there, that she
should see there the Duke de Nemours, and that she could not conceal
from her husband the disorder she should be in upon seeing him, and
being sensible also that the mere presence of that Prince would justify
him in her eyes and destroy all her resolutions, thought proper to
feign herself ill. The Court was too busy to give attention to her
conduct, or to enquire whether her illness was real or counterfeit; her
husband alone was able to come at the truth of the matter, but she was
not at all averse to his knowing it. Thus she continued at home,
altogether heedless of the great change that was soon expected, and
full of her own thoughts, which she was at full liberty to give herself
up to. Everyone went to Court to enquire after the King's health, and
Monsieur de Cleves came home at certain times to give her an account of
it; he behaved himself to her in the same manner he used to do, except
when they were alone, and then there appeared something of coldness and
reserve: he had not spoke to her again concerning what had passed, nor
had she power, nor did she think it convenient to resume the discourse
of it.

The Duke de Nemours, who had waited for an opportunity of speaking to
Madam de Cleves, was surprised and afflicted not to have had so much as
the pleasure to see her. The King's illness increased so much, that
the seventh day he was given over by the physicians; he received the
news of the certainty of his death with an uncommon firmness of mind;
which was the more to be admired, considering that he lost his life by
so unfortunate an accident,