278 MEMOIRS OF THE DUKE OF SAINT-SIMON.

CHAPTER XXVII.

The King of Spain acquiesces in the disgrace of Madame des TJrsins—It&
origin—"Who struck the Blow—Her Journey to Versailles—Treatment
there—My Interview with her—She retires to Genoa—Then to Eome—
Dies.

THE officer of the guards, whom the Queen despatched with a
letter for the King of Spain as soon as Madame des TJrsins
was out of Quadraqud, found the King upon the point of going
to bed. He appeared moved, sent a short reply to the Queen,
and gave no orders. The officer returned immediately. What
is singular is, that the secret was so well kept that it did not
transpire until the next morning at ten o'clock. It may be
imagined what emotion seized the whole Court, and what
divers movements there were among all at Guadalaxara. How-
ever, nobody dared to speak to the King, and much expecta-
tion was built upon the reply he had sent to the Queen. The
morning passed and nothing was said; the fate of Madame des
Ursins then became pretty evident.

Chalais and Lanti made bold to ask the King for permission
to go and join the Princess in her isolation. Not only he al-
lowed them to do so, but charged them with a letter of simple
civility, in which he told her he was very sorry for what had
happened; that he had not been able to oppose the Queen's-
will; that he should continue to her her pensions, and see that
they were punctually paid. He was as good as his word: as-
long as she lived she regularly received them.

The Queen arrived at Guadalaxara on the afternoon of the
day before Christmas day, at the hour fixed, and as though,