wife that the queen was
about to give birth to a second child, ordered the chancellor, the
midwife, the chief almoner, the queen's confessor, and myself to stay in
her room to be witnesses of whatever happened, and of his course of
action should a second child be born.

"'For a long time already it had been foretold to the king that his wife
would give birth to two sons, and some days before, certain shepherds had
arrived in Paris, saying they were divinely inspired, so that it was said
in Paris that if two dauphins were born it would be the greatest
misfortune which could happen to the State. The Archbishop of Paris
summoned these soothsayers before him, and ordered them to be imprisoned
in Saint-Lazare, because the populace was becoming excited about them--a
circumstance which filled the king with care, as he foresaw much trouble
to his kingdom. What had been predicted by the soothsayers happened,
whether they had really been warned by the constellations, or whether
Providence by whom His Majesty had been warned of the calamities which
might happen to France interposed. The king had sent a messenger to the
cardinal to tell him of this prophecy, and the cardinal had replied that
the matter, must be considered, that the birth of two dauphins was not
impossible, and should such a case arrive, the second must be carefully
hidden away, lest in the future desiring to be king he should fight
against his brother in support of a new branch of the royal house, and
come at last to reign.

"'The king in his suspense felt very uncomfortable, and as the queen
began to utter cries we feared a second confinement. We sent to inform
the king, who was almost overcome by the thought that he was about to
become the father of two dauphins. He said to the Bishop of Meaux, whom
he had sent for to minister to the queen, "Do not quit my wife till she
is safe; I am in mortal terror." Immediately after he summoned us all,
the Bishop of Meaux, the chancellor M. Honorat, Dame Peronete the
midwife, and myself, and said to us in presence of the queen, so that she
could hear, that we would answer to him with our heads if we made known
the birth of a second dauphin; that it was his will that the fact should
remain a state secret, to prevent the misfortunes which would else
happen, the Salic Law not having declared to whom the inheritance of the
kingdom should come in case two eldest sons were born to any of the
kings.

"'What had been foretol