Memoirs of the Comtesse Du Barry: With Minute Details of Her Entire Career as Favorite of Louis XVLamothe-Langon, Etienne-Léon, baron de
History
Memoirs of the Comtesse Du Barry: With Minute Details of Her Entire Career as Favorite of Louis XV
Lamothe-Langon, Etienne-Léon, baron de
Du Barry, Jeanne Bécu, comtesse, 1743-1793
When I reached my chamber, I found mademoiselle du Barry there, still
ignorant of the alarming news I had just learned. She earnestly pressed
me to return to bed, but this I refused; for my burning anxiety to learn
every particular relative to the king would have prevented my sleeping.
How different was the style of our present conversation to that of the
preceding evening; no sound of gaiety was heard; hushed alike were the
witty repartee, and the approving laugh which followed it. Now, we
spoke but by fits and starts, with eye and ear on the watch to catch
the slightest sound, whilst the most trifling noise, or the opening of
a door, made us start with trepidation and alarm. The time appeared to
drag on to an interminable length.
At last the duc de Richelieu made his appearance.
“Well, my friends,” said he, “the king is to be removed to Versailles,
spite of your wishes, madam, spite of his own royal inclination, and
against mine, likewise. La Martinière has thundered forth his edict, and
poor Bordeu opposed him in vain. His majesty, who expresses a wish to
remain here, stated his pleasure to La Martinière.”
“‘Sire,’ answered the obstinate physician, ‘it cannot be. You are
too ill to be permitted to take your choice in the matter, and to the
château at Versailles you must be removed.’
“‘Your words imply my being dangerously indisposed,’ said the king,
inquiringly.
“‘Your majesty is sufficiently ill to justify every precaution, and to
require our best cares. You must return to the château; Trianon is not
healthy; you will be much better at Versailles.’
“‘Upon my word, doctor,’ replied the king, ‘your words are far from
consoling; there must be danger, then, in my present sickness?’
“‘There would be considerable danger were you to remain here, whilst
it is very probable you may avoid any chance of it by following my
directions with regard to an immediate removal to Versailles.’
“‘I feel but little disposed for the journey,’ said his majesty.
“‘Still, your majesty must be removed, there is an absolute necessity
for it, and I take all the responsibility upon myself.’
“‘What do you think of this determination, Bordeu?’
“‘I think, sire, that you may be permitted to please yourself.’
“‘You hear that, La Martinière?’
“‘Yes, sire, and your majesty heard my opinion likewise.’ Then turning
towards Bordeu, ‘Sir,’ exclaimed he, ‘I call upon you in my capacity
of head physician to the king, to state your opinion in writing, and to
abide by the consequences of it; you who are not one of his majesty’s
physicians.’
“At this direct appeal, your doctor, driven to extremities, adopted
either the wise or cowardly resolution of maintaining a strict silence.
The king, who was awaiting his reply with much impatience, perceiving
his reluctance to speak, turned towards the duc de Duras, who was in
attendance upon him, and said, ‘Let them take me when and where my head
physician advises.’”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account