"
"I am delighted to hear this," replied madame de Mirepoix, "but,
my dear soul, let me caution you against too implicitly trusting
these deceitful appearances, to-morrow may destroy these flattering
hopes, and the next day--"
"Indeed!" cried I, interrupting her, "the physicians answer
for his recovery."
"And suppose they should chance to be mistaken," returned my
cautious friend, "what then? But, my dear countess, my regard
or you compels me to speak out, and to warn you of reposing in
tranquillity when you ought to be acting. Do not deceive yourself,
leave nothing to chance; and if you have any favour to ask of
the king, lose no time in so doing while yet you have the opportunity."
"And what favour would you advise me to ask?" said I
"You do not understand me, then?" exclaimed the marechale, "I
say that it is imperatively necessary for you to accept whatever
the king may feel disposed to offer you as a future provision,
and as affording you the means of passing the remainder of your
days in ease and tranquillity. What would become of you in case
of the worst? Your numerous creditors would besiege you with a
rapacity, still further excited by the support they would receive
from court. You look at me with surprise because I speak the
language of truth; be a reasonable creature I implore of you
once in your life, and do not thus sacrifice the interests of
your life to a romantic disregard of self.
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