"
This assurance restored me to something like composure; but
these hopes were speedily dissipated by the arrival of La Martiniere.
"What is the matter?" inquired he, "is the king very ill?"
"That remains for you to decide"; replied the duc de Richelieu;
"but however it may be, madame du Barry entreats of you not to
think of removing the king to Versailles."
"And why so?" asked La Martiniere, with his accustomed abruptness.
"His majesty would be much better there than here."
"He can nowhere be better than at Trianon, monsieur," said I.
"That, madam," answered La Martiniere, "is the only point upon
which you must excuse my consulting you, unless, indeed, you
are armed with a physician's diploma."
"Monsieur la Martiniere," cried the duc de Richelieu, "you might
employ more gentle language when speaking to a lady."
"Was I sent for hither," inquired the angry physician, "to go
through a course of politeness?"
For my own part I felt the utmost dread, I scarcely knew of what.
Bordeu, seeing my consternation, hastened to interfere, by saying,
"At any rate, monsieur la Martiniere, you will not alarm the
king needlessly."
"Nor lull him into a false security," answered the determined
La Martiniere. "But what is his malady have you seen him,
doctor Bordeu?"
"Not yet."
"Then why do we linger here? Your servant, ladies and gentlemen.
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