344 MEMOIRS OF THE DUKE OF SAINT-SIMON.

to table immediately afterwards, he could not keep himself from
speaking of it, though without mentioning the gazette.

This was at Marly, and by chance I was there that day.
The King looked at me as at the others, but as though asking
for a reply. I took good care not to open my mouth, and
lowered my eyes. Cheverny, (a discreet man,) too, was not so
prudent, but made a long and ill-timed rhapsody upon similar
reports that had come to Copenhagen from Vienna while he
was ambassador at the former place seventeen or eighteen years
before. The King allowed him to say on, but did not take the
bait. He appeared touched, but like a man who does not wish
to seem so. It could be seen that he did all he could to eat,
and to show that he ate with appetite. But it was also seen
that the mouthfuls loitered on their way. This trifle did not
fail to augment the circumspection of the Court, above all of
those who by their position had reason to be more attentive
than the rest. It was reported that an aide-de-camp of Lord
Stair, who was then English ambassador of our Court, and very
much disliked for his insolent bearing and his troublesome ways,
had caused these bets by what he had said in England respect-
ing the health of the King. Stair, when told this, was much
grieve'd, and said 'twas a scoundrel he had dismissed.

As the King sensibly declined I noticed that although terror
of him kept people as much away from M. d'Orleans as ever,
I was approached even by the most considerable. I had often
amused myself at the expense of these prompt friends; I did
so now, and diverted M. d'OrMans by warning him beforehand
what he had to expect.

On Friday, the 9th of August, 1715, the King hunted the
stag after dinner in his caleclie, that he drove himself as usual.
'Twas for the last time. Upon his return he appeared much
knocked up. There was a grand concert in the evening in
Madame de Maintenon's apartment.

On Saturday, the 10th of August, he walked before dinner
in his gardens at Marly; he returned to Versailles about six
o'clock in the evening, and never again saw that strange work
of his hands. In the evening he worked with the Chancellor