"
At these words the duc de Duras slipped away from the group,
and went himself in search of Doctor Bordeu, whom he brought
into an angle of the chamber out of sight of the king's bed. The
duc de Duras having explained to him what the abbe had just been
saying to them, as well as the desire he had manifested of
preparing the king to receive the last sacraments, the doctor
regarded the abbe fixedly for some instance, and then inquired
in a severe tone, "Whether he had promised any person to murder
the king?"
This abrupt and alarming question made the priest change colour,
whilst he asked for an explanation of such a singular charge.
"I say, sir," replied Bordeu, "that whoever speaks at present to
his majesty of small-pox, confession, or extreme unction, will
have to answer for his life."
"Do you, indeed, believe," asked the duc de Richelieu, "that the
mention of these things would produce so fatal a result?"
"Most assuredly I do; and out of one hundred sick persons it
would have the same effect upon sixty, perhaps eighty; indeed,
I have known the shock produce instantaneous death. This I am
willing to sign with my own blood if it be necessary, and my
professional brother there will not dispute its truth."
At these words he made a sign for Lemonnier to advance, and
after having explained to him the subject of conversation, begged
of him to speak his opinion openly and candidly.
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