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erved for her chosen friends。
I have never admired those general lovers who profess to love every one; nor do I feel quite sure it is a very strong recommendation to say a person is beloved by all who know her。 Read; now; a striking contrast to the short but sympathizing billet of madame d'Aiguillon; in the following heartless letter f from the marechale de Mirepoix; which was put into my hands as I was ascending the carriage。
〃MY LOVELY COUNTESS;I am all astonishment! Can it be possible that you are to quit Versailles? You are right in saying you have been the friend of every one; and those who could speak ill of you are to be pitied for not having had better opportunities of understanding your real character。 But fear not; the dauphiness is virtue personified; and the dauphin equally perfect。 Every thing promises a peaceful and indulgent reign; should we have the misfortune to lose his present majesty。 Still there will always be a great void left at Versailles; as far as I am concerned; I have passed so much of my time with you; that I cannot imagine what I shall do with my evenings; it will cost me much of my age to alter habits and customs now so long fixed and settled; but such is life; nothing certain; nothing stable。 We should imitate cats in our attachments; and rather identify ourselves with the house than the possessor of it。 I trust you have secured an ample provision for the future; neglect not the present; to…morrow may come in vain for you。
〃Be sure you let me know the spot to which you permanently retire; and I will endeavour to see you as frequently as my engagements will admit of。
Adieu; 。〃
Spite of the bitterness of my feelings; this letter drew a smile to my lips; the allusion to cats which had escaped the marechale exactly applied to her own character; of which I had been warned before I became acquainted with her; but her protestations of warm and unutterable attachment had gained my confidence; and I allowed myself to be guided implicitly by her。
The duchesse d'Aiguillon was waiting for me while I perused the above letter; at length; with a sigh; I prepared to quit that palace of delights where I had reigned absolute mistress。 I cast a mournful look around me; on those splendid walks; fountains and statues; worthy the gardens of Armida; but where there reigned; at this early hour; a sort of gloomy silence; whilst; in that chamber where love had well nigh deified me and recognised me as queen of France; lay extended the monarch so lately my protector and friend。
It was the Wednesday of the fifth of May that I took my seat in the carriage of the duchesse d'Aiguillon accompanied by my sister…in…law and the vicomtesse Adolphe; who would not forsake me。 Bischi remained with madame d'Hargicourt; whose duties detained her with the comtesse d'Artois。 Her husband also remained at Versailles; while comte Jean and his son proceeded to Paris。 I will not attempt to describe the emotions with which I quitted my magnificent suite of apartments; and traversed the halls and staircases already crowded by persons anxiously awaiting the first intimation of the king's decease。 I was wrapped in my pelisse; and effectually eluded observation。 It has been said that I left Versailles at four o'clock in the morning; but that was a mere invention on the part of my servants to baffle the curiosity of those who might have annoyed me by their presence。
We pursued our way in mournful reflection; whilst madame d'Aiguillon; with her wonted goodness; sought by every means to distract me from the dejection in which I was buried。 Her husband; who remained with the king; engaged to write me a true account of all that transpired during my absence; and I shall very shortly present you with a specimen of the fidelity with which he performed his promise。 The duchess did the honours of Ruel。
〃Here;〃 said she; 〃the great cardinal Richelieu loved to repose himself from the bustle and turmoil of a court。〃
〃I think;〃 answered I; 〃it would have been less a favourite with his eminence had it been selected for his abode on the eve of his disgrace。〃
Immediately upon my arrival I retired to bed; for fatigue had so completely overpowered me that I fell into a heavy slumber; from which I did not awake till the following day; when I found the duchesse d'Aiguillon; my sister…in…law; Genevieve Mathon; and Henriette; seated by my bed: the sight of them was cheering and gratifying proof of my not being as yet abandoned by all the world。
I arose; and we were just about to take our places at table; when madame de Forcalquier arrived。 I must confess that her presence was an agreeable surprise to me; I was far from reckoning on her constancy in friendship; and her present conduct proved her worthy of her excellent friend; madame Boncault; whose steady attachment I had so frequently heard extolled。 The sight of her imparted fresh courage to me; and I even resumed my usual high spirits; and in the sudden turn my ideas had taken; was childish enough to express my regrets for the loss of my downy and luxurious bed at Versailles; complaining of the woful difference between it and the one I had slept on at Ruel。
The duchesse d'Aiguillon; who must have pitied the puerility of such a remark; gently endeavoured to reconcile me to it by reminding me that both the marquise de Pompadour and the cardinal de Richelieu had reposed upon that very couch。
I endeavoured to return some sportive reply; but my thoughts had flown back to Versailles; and my momentary exhilaration was at an end。 Tears rose to my eyes and choked my attempts at conversation; I therefore begged the duchess would excuse me; and retired to my apartment until I could compose myself; but the kind and attentive friend to whose hospitality I was then confided needed no further mention of my hard couch; but caused the best bed Ruel contained to be prepared for me by the time I again pressed my pillow。
This same evening brought M。 de Cosse; who could no longer repress his impatience to assure me of his entire devotion。 He appeared on this occasion; if possible; more tender and more respectful in his manner of evincing it than ever。
We supped together without form or ceremony; the party consisting of mesdames d'Aiguillon; de Forcalquier; and myself; mademoiselle du Barry; and the vicomtesse Adolphe; the prince de Soubise and the duc de Cosse。 But the meal passed off in sorrowful silence; each of us seemed to abstain from conversation as though the slightest remark might come fraught with some painful allusion。 On the following day I received the letter from the duc d'Aiguillon which you will find in the following chapter。
CHAPTER XLV
The duc d'Aiguillon's first letterThe marechale de Mirepoix A second letter from the duc d'AiguillonNumerous visitors
〃My much esteemed friend;I promised you upon your departure to inform you of all that transpired; and although the task is a mournful one; I will do my best to acquit myself with zeal and sincerity; and each evening I will write you an exact detail of all that has occurred during the day。 The king remains much as you left him; and you must know that already his medical attendants