"
"Well," returned the duke, "and, as I understand, of a most
favourable sort; perhaps, it might have been better that La
Martiniere had said nothing about it. However, it is a malady
as readily subdued by art as any other; you must not allow yourself
to feel any uneasiness respecting it, science has now so much
improved in the treatment of this malady."
"I doubt not its ability to cure others, but me! Indeed, duc de
Richelieu, I would much rather face my old parliament than this
inveterate disease."
"Your majesty's being able to jest is a good sign."
At this moment, ignorant of all that had taken place, I entered
the room; for, in the general confusion, no person had informed
me of it. The moment Louis XV perceived me, he exclaimed in a
hollow tone,
"Dearest countess, I have the small-pox."
At these words a cry of terror escaped me.
"Surely, sire," exclaimed I, "this is some wandering of your
imagination, and your medical attendants are very wrong to permit
you to indulge it for a minute."
"Peace!" returned Louis XV ; "you know not what you say. I
have the small-pox, I repeat; and, thanks to La Martiniere, I
now know my real state."
I now perceived whose hand had dealt the blow, and seeing at
once all the consequences of the disclosure, exclaimed in my
anger, turning towards La Martiniere,
"You have achieved a noble work, indeed, sir; you could not
restrain yourself within the bounds of prudence, and you see the
state to which you have reduced his majesty.
Pages:
558
559
560
561
562
563
564
565
566
567
568
569
570
571
572
573
574
575
576
577
578
579
580
581
582