312

MEMOIRS OF THE DUKE OF SAINT-SIMON.

CHAPTER XXXI.

A new Visit from Maisons—His violent Project—My Objections—He per-
sists—His Death and that of his Wife—Death of the Due de Beauvilliers—
His Character—Of the Cardinal d'Estr§es—Anecdotes—Death of F&aelon.

LET me return now to liaisons. Five days after the King's
will had been walled up, in the manner I have described, he
came to me and made a pathetic discourse upon the injustice
done to M. le Due d'Orl&ms by this testament, and did all he
could to excite me by railing in good set terms against disposi-
tions intended to add to the power and grandeur of the bastards.

When he had well harangued, I said he had told me nothing
new; that I saw the same truths as he with the same evidence;
that the worst thing I found was that there was no remedy.

"No remedy !" he exclaimed, interrupting me, with his sly
and cunning laugh; " courage and ability can always find one
for everything, and I am astonished that you, who have both,
should have nothing to suggest while everybody is going to
confusion/'

I asked him how it was possible to suppress a will registered
by edict; a document solemn and public deposited with cere-
mony in the very depths of the palace, with precautions known
to everybody—nature and art combining to keep it in safety ?

"You are at a loss to know!" replied Maisons to me. "Have
ready at the instant of the King's death sure troops and sensi-
ble officers, all ready and well instructed; and with them,
masons and locksmiths—march to the palace, break open the
doors and the wall, carry off the will, and let it never be
seen."