.
"Perhaps even to the extinction of all hope?" asked I.
"God alone can tell," returned Bordeu.
"I understand," interrupted I, quickly, "and, spite of the mystery
with which you would fain conceal the extent of his majesty's
danger, I know, and venture to assert, that you consider him
already as dead."
"Have a care, madam," exclaimed Bordeu, "how you admit such an
idea, and still more of proclaiming it. I pledge you my word that
I do not consider the king is in danger; I have seen many cures
equally extraordinary with his."
I shook my head in token of disbelief. I had uttered what I firmly
supposed the truth, and the sight of my evil genius in the person
of the prophet who had awaited my return to Versailles, turned
the encouraging words of Bordeu into a cold, heavy chill, which
struck to my heart. Bordeu quitted me to resume his attendance
upon the king. After him came the duc d'Aiguillon, whose features
bore the visible marks of care and disquiet. He met me with the
utmost tenderness and concern, asked of me the very smallest
details of the disastrous events of the morning. I concealed
nothing from him, and he listened to my recital with the most
lively interest; and the account of the apparition of the wonderful
being who seemed destined to follow me throughout my career was
not the least interesting part of our conversation.
"There are," said the duke, "many very extraordinary things in
this life, reason questions them, philosophy laughs at them, and
yet it is impossible to deny that there are various hidden causes,
or sudden inspirations, which have the greatest effect upon our
destiny.
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