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recollection that the comte de Muy; the sincere and attached friend of the dauphin; son to Louis XV; was then in Versailles。 He immediately sought him out in the apartments he occupied in the chateau; and communicated to him the result of the consultation respecting the king's illness。
The comte de Muy was one of those rare characters reserved by Providence for the happiness of a state; when kings are wise enough to employ them。 He thought not of personal interest or advantage; but dictated to the duke the precise line of conduct he himself would have pursued under similar circumstances。
〃The first thing to be done;〃 said he; 〃is to remember that the king is a Christian; and to conform in every respect to the customs of his predecessors。 You are aware; my lord duke; that directly any member of the royal family is attacked by the small…pox; he ought immediately to receive extreme unction; you will; therefore; make the necessary arrangements; and apprize those whose duty it becomes to administer it。〃
〃This is; indeed; an unpleasant commission;〃 replied the duke; 〃to administer extreme unction to his majesty; is to announce to him cruelly and abruptly that his last hour has arrived; and to bid him prepare for death。〃
〃The duty is nevertheless imperative;〃 answered the comte de Muy; 〃and you incur no slight responsibility by neglecting it。〃
The consequence of this conversation was; that the duke sent off two couriers immediately; one to madame Louise; and the other to the archbishop of Paris。 He also apprized the ministers of the result of the consultation which had taken place; whilst the comte de Muy took upon himself the painful office of acquainting the dauphin with the dangerous state of his grandfather。 This young prince; whose first impulses were always amiable; immediately burst into tears; the dauphiness endeavoured to console him。 But from that moment her royal highness appeared to show by her lofty and dignified bearing; her consciousness of the fresh importance she had necessarily acquired in the eyes of the nation。 Meanwhile; the dauphin hastened to the sick room of his beloved relative; anxious to bestow upon him the cares and attentions of a son; but in the anteroom his progress was stopped by the duc de la Vrilliere; who informed him; that the interests of the throne would not permit his royal highness to endanger his life by inhaling the contagious atmosphere of a room loaded with the venom of the small…pox。 He adjured him; in the name of the king and his country; not to risk such fearful chances。 The lords in attendance; who did not partake the heroism the young prince; added their entreaties to those of ; and succeeded; at length; in prevailing upon him to return to his apartments; to the great joy of Marie Antoinette; who could not endure the prospect of being separated from her husband at so important a juncture。
No sooner had the princesses learned the danger of their august parent; than without an instant's hesitation they hurried to him。 I was in his chamber when they arrived; they saluted me with great gentleness and affability。 When the king saw them; he inquired what had brought them thither at so unusual an hour。
〃We are come to see you; my dearest father;〃 replied madame Adelaide; 〃we have heard of your indisposition; and trifling as it is said to be; we could not rest without satisfying our anxious wish to know how you found yourself。〃
The other sisters expressed themselves in similar terms。
〃It is all very well; my children;〃 said Louis XV; with a pleasing smile; 〃and you are all three very excellent girls; but I would rather you should keep away from this close room; it can do you no good; and I promise to let you know if I find myself getting any worse。〃
After a slight resistance the princesses feigned an obedience to his will; but; in reality; they merely retired into an adjoining chamber; concealed from the sight of their parent; where they remained; until the moment when they undertook the charge of the patient。 Their heroic devotion was the admiration of all France and Europe。
Much as their presence constrained me; I still kept my place beside the sick…bed of his majesty; who would not suffer me to leave him for a minute。
At an early hour the marechale de Mirepoix returned; according to her promise。 I met her in the corridor as I was passing along on my way to the king's apartment; her face was full of cheerful smiles。
〃How greatly am I obliged to you for your prompt succour;〃 said she; without even inquiring after my health or that of the king。 〃Do you know; I was but just in time; ten minutes later; and I should have been refused payment for your cheque。 M。 de Laborde; who was so devotedly your friend only yesterday; counted out to me the glittering coin I was so anxious to obtain。 He even accompanied me to my carriage; when behold; just at the moment; when; with his hat in his hand; he was most gallantly bowing; and wishing me a pleasant journey; a courier arrived from Versailles bringing him the news of the king's illness。 He looked so overwhelmed with consternation and alarm; that I could not prevent myself from bursting into a hearty fit of laughter; nor has my gaiety forsaken me up to the present moment。〃
〃You are very fortunate;〃 said I; 〃to be enabled thus to preserve your good spirits。〃
〃My dear creature; I would fain cheat time of some of his claims upon me。 But now I think of it; what is the matter since I was here? Is the king worse; and what is this I hear whispered abroad of the small…pox?〃
〃Alas; madam;〃 answered I; much hurt at the insensibility she displayed; 〃we run but too great danger of losing our friend and benefactor for ever。〃
〃Dear me; how very shocking! But what has he settled on you? What have you asked him for?〃
〃Nothing!〃 replied I; coolly。
〃Nothing! very admirable; indeed; but; my good soul; these fine sentiments sometimes leave people to eat the bread of charity。 So; then; you have not followed my advice。 Once more; I repeat; lose not the present opportunity; and; in your place; I would set about securing my own interest without one instant's delay。〃
〃That I could not do; madam;〃 said I; 〃it is wholly foreign to my nature to take advantage of the weakness of a dying man。〃
〃Dying man!〃 repeated the marechale incredulously; 〃come; come;
he is not dead yet; and whilst there is life there is hope; and I suppose you have carried your ideas of disinterestedness so far as to omit mentioning your friends; likewise。 You will never have any worldly sense; I believe。 My dear soul;〃 said she; stooping down and whispering in my ear; 〃you are surrounded by a set of selfish wretches; who care nothing for you unless you can f forward their interests。〃
〃I see it; I know it;〃 exclaimed I impatiently; 〃but though I beg my bread; I will not importune the king。〃
〃As you please;〃 cried madame de Mirepoix; 〃pray do not let me disturb your intentions。 Silly woman that you are; leave others to act the sublime and grand; your part should be that of a reasonable creature。 Look at myself; suppose I had not seized the ball at the bound。〃
〃You were born at Versailles;〃 answered