"
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.
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