en o'clock on the following morning when an immense noise of
some person entering my chamber, aroused me from the sweet slumbers I
was still buried in. Vexed at the disturbance, I inquired, in a peevish
tone, "Who is there?"

"Tis I, my sister," replied Chon, "M. de Chamilly is here, anxious to
speak with you upon a matter of great importance."

Chamilly, who was close behind mademoiselle du Barry, begged to be
admitted.

"What is the matter, Chamilly?" cried I, "and what do you want? Is
mademoiselle Julie to set off into the country immediately?"

"Alas! madam," replied Chamilly, "his majesty is extremely ill."

These words completely roused me, and raising myself on my arm, I
eagerly repeated, "Ill! of what does he complain?"

"Of general and universal pain and suffering," replied Chamilly.

"And the female who was here last night, how is she?"

"Nearly as bad, madam; she arose this morning complaining of illness
and languor, which increased so rapidly, that she was compelled to be
carried to one of the nearest beds, where she now is."

All this tormented me to the greatest degree, and I dismissed Chamilly
for the purpose of rising, although I had no distinct idea of what
it would be most desirable to say or do. My sister-in-law, with more
self-possession, suggested the propriety of summoning Bordeu, my
physician; a proposal which I at once concurred in, more especially when
she informed me, that La Martiniere was already sent for, and hourly
expected.

"I trust," said I, "that Bouvart knows nothing of this, for I neither
approve of him as a man or a doctor."

The fact was, I should have trembled for my own power, had both Bouvart
and La Martiniere got the king into their hands. With La Martiniere I
knew very well I was no favourite; yet it was impossible to prevent his
attendance; the king would never have fancied a prescription in which he
did not concur.

Meanwhile I proceeded with my toilette as rapidly as possible, that I
might, by visiting the king, satisfy myself of the nature of his malady.
Ere I had finished dressing, my brother-in-law, who had likewise been
aroused by the mention of his majesty's illness, entered my chamber
with a gloomy look; he already saw the greatness of the danger which
threatened us, he had entirely forgotten our quarrel of the preceding
evening, but his temper was by no means improved by the present state
of things. We had no need of explaining ourselves by words, and he