In this manner the day passed away. I visited the king from
time to time, and he, although evidently much oppressed and
indisposed, conversed with me without any painful effort. His
affection for me seemed to gain fresh strength as his bodily
vigour declined, and the fervent attachment he expressed for
me, at a time when self might reasonably have been expected to
hold possession of his mind, filled me with regret at not being able
more fully to return so much tenderness. In the evening I
wished to be alone, the marechale de Mirepoix had sent to request
a private interview, and I awaited her arrival in my chamber,
whilst an immense concourse of visitors filled my salons. The
king's danger was not yet sufficiently decided for the courtiers
to abandon me, and the chances continued too strongly in my
favour to warrant any one of them in withdrawing from me their
usual attentions. Comte Jean, however, presented himself before
me, spite of the orders I had given to exclude every person but
the marechale.
"My dear sister," cried he, as he entered, "Chamilly has just told
me that he has received the royal command to have Julie married
off without delay; now this is a piece of delicacy towards yourself
on the part of the king for which you owe him many thanks. But
I have another communication to make you, of a less pleasing nature.
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