Who was to undertake the delicate commission, became the next
point to consider. M. de Roquelaire declined, not wishing, as he
said, to infringe upon the rights of the grand almoner, who was
now at Versailles. M. de la Roche Aymon was therefore sent for,
requesting his immediate attendance. Never did invitation arrive
more
, or more cruelly disturb any manoeuvring
soul. However, to refuse was impossible, and the cardinal arrived,
execrating the zeal of his reverend brother of Paris; who, after
having explained the state of affairs to him, informed him that
he was sent for the purpose of discharging his office by preparing
the king for confession.
The grand almoner replied, that the sacred duty by no means
belonged to him; that his place at court was of a very different
nature, and had nothing at all to do with directing the king's
conscience. His majesty, he said, had a confessor, who ought
to be sent for, and the very sight of him in the royal chamber
would be sufficient to apprize the illustrious invalid of the
motives which brought him thither. In a word, the grand almoner
got rid of the affair, by saying, "that, as it was one of the utmost
importance, it would be necessary to confer with his royal
highness, the dauphin, respecting it."
CHAPTER XLII
First proceedings of the council--The dauphin receives the prelates
with great coolness--Situation of the archbishop of Paris--
Richelieu evades the project for confessing the king--The friends
of madame du Barry come forward--The English physician--The
abbe Terray--Interview with the prince de Soubise--The prince
and the courtiers--La Martiniere informs the king of France the
true nature of his complaint--Consequences of this disclosure
The different members of this declared
themselves in favour of this advice, much to the grief and chagrin
of the princess Adelaide.
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