The next day M. de Sartines came and told me the whole story. He
had learnt them from the valet, who had survived his poisoning for
some hours. Gaubert could not be found, and it was feared that
he would attempt some desperate deed. No one dared mention it to
the king, but the captain of the guards and the first gentleman
in waiting took every possible precaution; and when Louis XV
asked for the young female who was to be brought to him, they
told him that she had died of a violent distemper. It was not
until some days afterwards that the terror which pervaded the
chateau ceased. They had found the body of the unfortunate
Gaubert on the banks of the Seine.
In spite of what had passed, the duc de la Vrilliere had the
impudence to present himself to me. I treated him with disdain,
reproaching him and Laugeac for their conduct. He left me in
despair, and wrote me the following letter:--
"MADAME LA COMTESSE,-Your anger kills me. I am
guilty, but not so much so as you may imagine. The
duty of my office compels me to do many things
which are disagreeable to me. In the affair for
which you have so slightingly treated me there
was no intent to injure you, but only to procure
for the king an amusement which should make him
the more estimate your charms and your society.
Forgive a fault in which my heart bore no share; I
am sufficiently miserable, and shall not know
repose until I be reinstated in your good graces.
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