Memoirs of Louis XIV, vol 8 | Page 9

his chief

doctor, "I should not be surprised if I were to have the small-pox." The,
day, however, passed over as usual.
On the morrow, Thursday, the 9th, Monseigneur rose, and meant to go
out wolf-hunting; but as he was dressing, such a fit of weakness seized
him, that he fell into his chair. Boudin made him get into bed again; but
all the day his pulse was in an alarming state. The King, only half
informed by Fagon of what had taken place, believed there was nothing
the matter, and went out walking at Marly after dinner, receiving news
from time to time. Monseigneur le Duc de Bourgogne and Madame de
Bourgogne dined at Meudon, and they would not quit Monseigneur for
one moment. The Princess added to the strict duties of a
daughter-in-law all that her gracefulness could suggest, and gave
everything to Monseigneur with her own hand. Her heart could not
have been troubled by what her reason foresaw; but, nevertheless, her
care and attention were extreme, without any airs of affectation or
acting. The Duc de Bourgogne, simple and holy as he was, and full of
the idea of his duty, exaggerated his attention; and although there was a
strong suspicion of the small-pox, neither quitted Monseigneur, except
for the King's supper.
The next day, Friday, the 10th, in reply to his express demands, the
King was informed of the extremely dangerous state of Monseigneur.
He had said on the previous evening that he would go on the following
morning to Meudon, and remain there during all the illness of
Monseigneur whatever its nature might be. He was now as good as his
word. Immediately after mass he set out for Meudon. Before doing so,
he forbade his children, and all who had not had the small-pox, to go
there, which was suggested by a motive of kindness. With Madame de
Maintenon and a small suite, he had just taken up his abode in Meudon,
when Madame de Saint-Simon sent me the letter of which I have just
made mention.
I will continue to speak of myself with the same truthfulness I speak of
others, and with as much exactness as possible. According to the terms
on which I was with Monseigneur and his intimates, may be imagined
the impression made upon me by this news. I felt that one way or other,

well or ill, the malady of Monseigneur would soon terminate. I was
quite at my ease at La Ferme. I resolved therefore to wait there until I
received fresh particulars. I despatched a courier to Madame de
Saint-Simon, requesting her to send me another the next day, and I
passed the rest of this day, in an ebb and flow of feelings; the man and
the Christian struggling against the man and the courtier, and in the
midst of a crowd of vague fancies catching glimpses of the future,
painted in the most agreeable colours.
The courier I expected so impatiently arrived the next day, Sunday,
after dinner. The small-pox had declared itself, I learnt, and was going
on as well as could be wished. I believed Monseigneur saved, and
wished to remain at my own house; nevertheless I took advice, as I
have done all my life, and with great regret set out the next morning. At
La queue, about six leagues from Versailles, I met a financier of the
name of La Fontaine, whom I knew well. He was coming from Paris
and Versailles, and came up to me as I changed horses. Monseigneur,
he said, was going on admirably; and he added details which convinced
me he was out of all danger. I arrived at Versailles, full of this opinion,
which was confirmed by Madame de Saint-Simon and everybody I met,
so that nobody any longer feared, except on account of the treacherous
nature of this disease in a very fat man of fifty.
The King held his Council, and worked in the evening with his
ministers as usual. He saw Monseigneur morning and evening,
oftentimes in the afternoon, and always remained long by the bedside.
On the Monday I arrived he had dined early, and had driven to Marly,
where the Duchesse de Bourgogne joined him. He saw in passing on
the outskirts of the garden of Versailles his grandchildren, who had
come out to meet him, but he would not let them come near, and said,
"good day" from a distance. The Duchesse de Bourgogne had had the
small-pox, but no trace was left.
The King only liked his own houses, and could not bear to be anywhere
else. This was why his visits to Meudon were few and short, and only
made from complaisance. Madame de Maintenon was still more out of
her element there. Although her chamber was