The terror-stricken courtiers fled from the palace of Meudon, where the loathsome remains of the heir to the throne of France awaited burial. The corpse was hurried into a plain coffin, which was not even covered by the royal pall. Not a single mourning coach followed the only legitimate son of Louis XIV. to the grave. He had two sisters, the Princess of Conti and the Duchess of Bourbon Conde. Neither of them ventured to join the funeral procession of their only brother. He had three sons, Louis, Philip, and Charles. Philip was king of Spain. Louis and Charles were at home. But they kept at a safe distance, as did the king his father, from the meagre funeral procession which bore, with indecent haste, the remains of the prince to the vaults of St. Denis. CHAPTER XII. THE LAST DAYS OF LOUIS XIV. 1712-1715 The Duke of Burgoyne.--His character.--The dauphiness poisoned by means of snuff.--Anguish of the king.--Death.--The dauphin taken ill.--Death of the dauphin.--Death of the child-dauphin.--The Duke of Orleans.--He is suspected as the poisoner.--A quarrel and its result.--Death of the Duke de Berri.--Anguish of the Duke of Orleans.--Feelings of the king.--The regency.--Intrigues and plots.--Louis harassed.--The Duke of Orleans removes to St. Cloud.--Policy.--Wretchedness of the king.--The Duchess de Berri.--Plottings.--The council of regency.--The last testament of the king.--Unsatisfactory.--Sickness of the king.--The last review.--Struggles against death.--Affects youthfulness.--Summons a band.--Scene in the death-chamber.--The last offices of the Church.--The king resigned.--Remorse of the king.--Energy of fanaticism.--Deplorable condition of France.--Testimony of Thomas Jefferson.--Napoleon.--Devotion of Madame de Maintenon.--Last messages.--Melancholy spectacle.--The young heir to the throne.--Dying advice.--The king blesses the dauphin.--Dying confession.--Scenes of suffering.--Last words.--The death of the king.--Louis XV. proclaimed.--Ignominious burial of Louis XIV.--Louis XV.--Louis XVI.--The Revolution. Upon the death of the king's son, the Duke of Burgoyne assumed the title of Dauphin, which his father had previously borne, and became direct heir to the crown. He was a retiring, formal man, very much devoted to study, and somewhat pedantic. He was also religiously inclined. In his study, where he passed most of his time, he divided his hours between works of devotion and books of science. His sudden advent to the direct heirship to the French throne surrounded him with courtiers and flatterers. The palace at Meudon, where he generally resided, was now crowded with noble guests.