180 MEMOIRS OF THE DUKE OF SAINT-SIMON.

CHAPTER XIX.

A rumour reaches Versailles—Aspect of the Court—Various forms of grief
—The Due d'Orleans—The news confirmed at Versailles—Behavioxir of
the Courtiers—The Due and Duchesse de Berry—The Due and Duchesse
de Bourgogne—Madame—A Swiss asleep—Picture of a Court—The lieir
Apparent's night—The King returns to Marly—Character of Monseigneur
—Effect of his Death.

WHILE Meudon was filled with horror, all was tranquil at
Versailles, without the least suspicion. We had supped. The
company some time after had retired, and I was talking •with
Madame de Saint-Simon, who had nearly finished undressing
herself to go to bed, when a servant of Madame la Duchesse do
Berry, who had formerly belonged to us, entered, all terrified.
He said that there must be some bad news from Meudon, since
Monseigneur le Due de Bourgogne had just whispered in tho
ear of M. le Due de Berry, whose eyes had at once become red,
that he left the table, and that all the company shortly after
him rose with precipitation. So sudden a change rendered my
surprise extreme. I ran, in hot haste to Madame la JDucliesse
de Berry's. Nobody was there. Everybody had gone to
Madame la Duchesse de Bourgogne. I followed on with all
speed.

I found all Versailles assembled on arriving, all the ladies
hastily dressed—the majority having been on the point of
going to bed—all the doors open, and all in trouble. I learnt
that Monseigneur had received the extreme unction, that lie
was without consciousness and beyond hope, and that the King
had sent word to Madame de Bourgogne that he was going to