Much grieved
and surprised at this scene, I hastily summoned my servants, who
bestowed upon the unfortunate lady the utmost attention, but it
was long ere she revived. I then wished to persuade her to take
some rest. 'No,' cried she, rising and giving me orders for her
immediate departure, "I have not sufficient time for rest; scarcely
will the short period between me and eternity allow me to set my
affairs in order.' Surprised at this language, I begged of her to
explain herself. 'You are aware,' said she, 'of the fatal power
possessed by my family; well, at the moment in which I was sitting
beside you on this sofa, happening to cast my eyes on the mirror
opposite, I saw myself as a corpse wrapped in the habiliments of
death, and partly covered with a black and white drapery; beside
me was an open coffin. This is sufficient; I have no time to lose:
farewell, my friend, we shall meet no more' Thunderstruck at these
words, I suffered the lady to depart without attempting to combat
her opinion. This morning I received intelligence from her son that
the prophecy had been fulfilled--she was no more."
When the marechal had finished, I exclaimed,
"You have told us a sad dismal tale; I really fear I shall not
be able to close my eyes at all to-night for thinking of it."
"We must think of some means of keeping up your spirits," answered
Louis XV. " As for your story, marechal, it does not surprise me;
things equally inexplicable are continually taking place.
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