I will write to him myself on the
subject, but beg of you to repeat that, kind as are his offers, I cannot
accept of them; but shall certainly remain in France until the new
sovereign commands or permits me to quit it."

I afterwards repeated to the minister of Deux Ponts what I had
previously stated in the garden to M. de Cosse, and had the satisfaction
of hearing madam d'Aiguillon approve of my sentiments.

When I retired to my apartment I was followed by my niece.

"How happy are you, dear aunt," said she, "to preserve such friends in
your present troubles."

"I owe them," replied I, "to my simplicity and candor."

"Will you not retire to Germany?"

"Certainly not," answered I.

"Yet it would be better to allow the first burst of displeasure on the
part of the dauphiness to pass over."

"Who gave you this counsel, my dear niece? I am quite sure it does not
originate in yourself."

"I had promised not to tell," answered she; "but if you insist upon it,
I must confess, that I was persuaded by the prince de Conde and M. de
Soubise to urge you to follow it."

"Do they then wish for my absence?" inquired I, angrily.

"Only for your own sake, dearest aunt."

"I thank them; but my resolution is formed to commit myself entirely to
Providence in this melancholy affair."

The day passed on; and with feverish impatience I waited the arrival of
the next courier: he came, at length, and confirmed my worst fears; the
king was entirely given over by his physicians, and his dissolution was
hourly expected. The letter containing this mournful tidings concluded
thus:--

"I have just seen comte Jean, he is here incognito. We had entirely
forgotten that passports would be necessary; however, I have now
furnished him with four for England, Germany, Italy, and Switzerland.
The count is far from partaking of your sense of security, and is wisely
anxious (as I think) of shielding himself from the first burst of royal
vengeance. The duchess has informed me of your refusal of an asylum at
Deux Ponts; and, while I admire your courage, permit me to add, that you
should rather have listened to the dictates of prudence than magnanimity
under present circumstances."

The following morning, at an early hour, comte Jean entered my chamber,
saying,

"I understand the king is dead; have you heard anything of it?"

"Were the report correct," answered I, "I should have known it ere the
intelligence reached Paris."

"Well, living