He looked so
overwhelmed with consternation and alarm, that I could not prevent
myself from bursting into a hearty fit of laughter, nor has my
gaiety forsaken me up to the present moment."
"You are very fortunate," said I, "to be enabled thus to preserve
your good spirits."
"My dear creature, I would fain cheat time of some of his claims
upon me. But now I think of it, what is the matter since I was
here? Is the king worse, and what is this I hear whispered abroad
of the small-pox?"
"Alas, madam," answered I, much hurt at the insensibility she
displayed, "we run but too great danger of losing our friend and
benefactor for ever."
"Dear me, how very shocking! But what has he settled on you?
What have you asked him for?"
"Nothing!" replied I, coolly.
"Nothing! very admirable, indeed; but, my good soul, these fine
sentiments sometimes leave people to eat the bread of charity.
So, then, you have not followed my advice. Once more, I repeat,
lose not the present opportunity, and, in your place, I would set
about securing my own interest without one instant's delay."
"That I could not do, madam," said I; "it is wholly foreign to
my nature to take advantage of the weakness of a dying man."
"Dying man!" repeated the marechale incredulously, "come, come,
he is not dead yet; and whilst there is life there is hope; and I
suppose you have carried your ideas of disinterestedness so far
as to omit mentioning your friends, likewise.
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