We continued our route
slowly and silently; the marechale accompanied me to the door of
my apartment, where I bade her adieu, spite of her wish to remain
with me; but even her society was now fatiguing to me, and I
longed to be alone with merely my own family.
My two sisters-in-law, the wife of comte d'Hargicourt and that
of my nephew, were speedily assembled to talk over with me the
events of the last twelve hours. I threw myself upon my bed in
a state of mental and bodily fatigue, impossible to describe. I
strove in vain to collect my ideas, and arm myself for what I
well saw was approaching, and the exact appearance of the singular
predicter of my destiny prepared me for the rapid accomplishing
of all that had been promised.
Louis XV, during this fatal illness, was placed under the care
of Bordeu and Lemonnier. No particularly alarming symptoms
appeared during that day, and we remained in a state of suspense
more difficult to bear than even the most dreadful certainty. As
soon as the king felt himself sufficiently recovered from the
fatigues of his removal he requested to see me. After bestowing
on me the most gratifying marks of the sincerest attachment,
he said,
"I am well punished, my dear countess, for my inconstancy towards
you, but forgive me. I pray and believe that, however my fancy
may wander, my heart is all your own."
"Is that quite true?" said I, smiling.
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