The day following still brought a
continuation of favorable accounts, but the next letter was in
these words:--
"MADAM, AND MOST HONORED FRIEND,--Arm yourself
with courage; the king is extremely ill, and I ought
not to conceal from you that serious apprehensions
are entertained for his life; he has passed a wretched
night, His daughters, who never quitted his bedside,
whispered to him that the archbishop of Paris and
his grand almoner were in the anteroom if he desired
to see them. The king did not seem to hear their
words, but about three o'clock in the morning he
called the duc de Duras, whom he bade inquire
whether M. Mandoux were in the chateau; and, if
so, to apprize him he wished to speak with him.
"At these words the princesses and all who heard
them burst into a fit of weeping, which was only
interrupted by the arrival of the confessor, who,
approaching the bedside of the penitent, held a
conference with him of nearly a quarter of an hour:
this being concluded, the king, in a low and firm
voice, inquired for his almoner. The latter soon
presented himself, anxious to discharge the duties
of his sacred office. His majesty kept continually
repeating to his afflicted children, 'My daughters,
why should what I am now about to do agitate or
alarm you? You are well aware, that having the
small-pox, the etiquette established in my family
compels me to receive the last solemn rites of the
church, and I but acquit myself of an obligation
in submitting to it.
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