Look at the duc de Choiseul, who has kept a regular
court at Chanteloup, and never wanted for a train of courtiers
at it."
After this lesson of worldly wisdom, the excellent marechale gave
me a friendly kiss, returned to her carriage, and I saw her no
more during my stay at Ruel.
The evening brought with it a second letter from the duc
d'Aiguillon, it was as follows:--
"MADAM,--I hasten to acquaint you with the
pleasing information of his majesty being considerably
better; his strength appears to have returned,
and he himself, in the consciousness of improving
health, expressed aloud his regret for having been
so hasty in advising your removal from him. He has
continually repeated, 'How weak and selfish of me
thus to afflict my dearest countess! would you
not advise me, my friend, to request her immediate
return?' Of course, my reply was in the affirmative.
His majesty then put the same question to the duc
de Richelieu, who answered, that in his opinion it
was the best plan he could decide upon. The bulletin
signed by the different physicians accompanies this:
it leaves me nothing to add but to recommend your
bearing with patience this temporary absence from
court, to which you will ere long return, more
idolized, more sought after, than ever. The duc
de la Vrilliere and the abbe Terray present the
assurance of their unbounded respect and devotion,
etc., etc.
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