y, but, turned heavily in his bed and threw the
coverlet over his face. A silence ensued, which lasted until the return
of the physicians, when, finding they made no allusion to his condition,
the king addressed them in a cool and offended tone.

"Why," said he, "have you concealed from me the fact of my having the
small-pox?" This abrupt inquiry petrified them with astonishment, and
unable to frame a proper reply, they stood speechless with alarm and
apprehension. "Yes," resumed the king, "but for La Martiniere, I should
have died in ignorance of my danger. I know now the state in which I am,
and before long I shall be gathered to my forefathers."

All around him strove to combat this idea, and exerted their utmost
endeavours to persuade the royal patient that his disorder had
assumed the most favourable shape, and that not a shadow of danger was
perceptible, but in vain; for the blow had fallen, and the hapless king,
struck with a fatal presentiment of coming ill, turned a deaf ear to all
they could advance.

Bordeu, deeply concerned for what had transpired, hastened to announce
to the duc de Richelieu the turn which had taken place in the face of
affairs. Nothing could exceed the rage with which the news was received.
The duke hurried to the king's bedside.

"Is it, indeed, true, sire," inquired he, "that your majesty doubts of
your perfect restoration to health? May I presume to inquire whether any
circumstance has occurred to diminish your confidence in your medical
attendants?"

"Duc de Richelieu," replied the king, looking as though he would search
into his very soul, "I have the small-pox."

"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