On the contrary, he suffered the former to
perish in a dungeon, and allowed the latter to languish in one
during more than seventeen years, and in all probability she
would have ended her days without receiving the slightest mark
of his recollection of his unfortunate relative. I know no trait
of base selfishness more truly revolting than the one I have
just related.
But this story has led me far from the subject I was previously
commencing: this narrative, which I never call to mind without a
feeling of pleasure, has led me away in spite of myself. Still I
trust that my narrative has been sufficiently interesting to induce
you to pardon the digression it has occasioned, and now I will
resume the thread of my discourse.
CHAPTER XXXVII
A conspiracy--A scheme for poisoning madame du Barry--The four
bottles--Letter to the duc d'Aiguillon--Advice of the ministers--
Opinion of the physicians--The chancellor and lieutenant of
police--Resolution of the council
Have you any curiosity to learn the denouement of the story I
was telling you of my anonymous correspondent? Read what follows,
then, and your wishes shall be gratified: that is, if you have
patience to hear a rather long story; for I cannot promise you
that mine will very speedily be completed. Let me see: where
did I leave off? Oh, I recollect.
I was telling you that madame de Mirepoix urged me to repair, as
I was requested, to the Baths of Apollo.
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