34S MEMOIRS OF THE DUKE OF SAINT-SIMON".

seen by the opening of his body. The organs were found in.
such good and healthy condition that there is reason to believe
he would have lived beyond his hundredth year. His stomach
above all astonished, and also his bowels by their volume and
extent, double that of the ordinary, whence it came that he
was such a great yet uniform eater. Remedies were not-
thought of until it was no longer time, because Fa,gon would
never believe him ill, or Madame de Maintenon either; though
at the same time she had taken good care to provide for her
own retreat in the case of his death. Amidst all this, the King
felt his state before they felt it, and said so sometimes to his
valets: Fagon always reassured him, but did nothing. The
King was contented with what was said to him without being
persuaded, but his friendship for Fagon restrained him, and
Madame de Maintenon still more.

On Wednesday the 14th of August, the King was carried to
hear mass for the last time; held the council of state, ate a
meat dinner, and had music ia Madame de Maintenon's rooms.
He supped in his chamber, where the court saw him as at his
dinner; was with his family a short time in his cabinet, and
went to bed a little after ten.

On Thursday, the Festival of the Assumption, he heard
mass in his bed. The night had been disturbed and bad. He
dined in his bed, the courtiers being present, rose at five and
was carried to Madame de Maintenon's, where music was played.
He supped and went to bed as on the previous evening. As long
as he could sit up he did the same.

On Friday, the 16th of August, the night had been no better;
much thirst and drink. The King ordered no one to enter until
ten. Mass and dinner in his bed as before; then he was carried
to Madame de Maintenon's; he played with the ladies there,
and afterwards there was a grand concert.

On Saturday, the 17th of August, the night as the preceding.
He held the Finance Council, he being in bed; saw people at
his dinner, rose immediately after; gave audience in his
cabinet to the General of the order of Sainte-Croix de la
Br^tonnerie; passed to Madame de Maintenon's, where he