106 MEMOIES OF THE DUKE OF SAINT-SIMON.

was not to come till sent for; he might live in Paris, and go
where he liked. The Due de Beauvilliers did all he could to
escape from carrying so harsh a message, but could only obtain
permission to let the Due de Chevreuse accompany Mm.

They went to Chamillart, and found him alone, working in
his cabinet. The air of consternation with which, they en-
tered, told the unfortunate Minister that something disagree-
able had happened; and without giving them time to speak,
he said, with a serene and tranquil countenance, " What is tho
matter, gentlemen ? If what you have to say concerns only
me, you may speak: I have long been prepared for every-
thing." This gentle firmness touched them still more. They
could scarcely explain what they came about. Chamil-
lart listened without any change of countenance, and said,
with the same air and tone as at first: "The King is the master.
I have endeavoured to serve him to the best of my ability. I
hope some one else will please him better, and be more lucky."'
He then asked if he had been forbidden to write to the King,,
and being told not, he wrote a letter of respect and thanks,
and sent it by the two Dues, with a Memoir which he had just
finished. He also wrote to Madame de Maintenon. He sent a
verbal message to his wife; and, without complaint, murmur,
or sighs, got into his carriage, and drove to L'Etang. Both,
then and afterwards he showed the greatest magnanimity.
Every one went, from a sort of fashion, to visit him. When I
went, the house looked as if a death had taken place; and it
was frightful to see, in the midst of cries and tears, the dead
man walking, speaking with a quiet, gentle air, and serene
brow,—unconstrained, unaffected, attentive to every one, not
at all or scarcely different from what he was accustomed to be.

Chamillart, as I have said, had received permission to live
at Paris, if he liked; but soon afterwards he innocently gave um-
brage to Madame de Maintenon, who was annoyed that his dis-
grace was not followed by general abandonment. She caused him.
to be threatened secretly, and he prudently left Paris, and went
far away, under pretence of seeking for an estate to buy.

Next day after the fall of Chamillart, it became known that