[177] Too superior to himself to pay any attention to it.
He would not see Madame de la Fayette yesterday, on account of her
tears, and because he was to receive the sacrament; but he sent about
noon to know how she was. Believe me, my child, he has not passed his
life in making useless reflections: he has rendered death so familiar
that the prospect is neither new nor terrific to him. M. de Marsillac
arrived the day before yesterday, at midnight, so overwhelmed with
grief, that I do not think even you could feel more for me. It was a
long time before he could compose himself; at length he came in, when
he found M. de Rochefoucault sitting in his chair, with an air very
little different from that he usually wore. As M. de Marsillac is the
only one of his children who may be said to enjoy his friendship,
it was thought he would be himself affected at seeing him; but of
this, however, there was not the smallest appearance, and he even did
not name his illness to him. His son, unable to contain himself any
longer, withdrew to give vent to his grief; when, after a great deal of
altercation, Gourville being against, and Langlade for the Englishman,
each of them supported by different parties in the family, and the two
Esculapian chiefs keeping up all the warmth of their natural animosity,
M. de Marsillac decided in favor of the Englishman; and yesterday,
at four in the afternoon, M. de la Rochefoucault took his medicines,
and at eight repeated them again. As there is no getting admittance
at present, it is difficult to learn the truth; however, I have been
told that after having been last night within an instant of giving
up the ghost through the struggle between the medicine and the gouty
humor, he had so considerable an evacuation that though the fever has
not yet abated, there is reason to hope for a favorable issue. I am
convinced in my own mind that he will recover, though M. de Marsillac
does not yet venture to admit a ray of hope. I can compare him, in his
affections and grief, to no one but yourself, my dear child, who can
not bear the thoughts of my death. You may well believe that I shall
not give him M. de Grignan’s letter at present: it shall go, however,
with those that may come afterward; for I am convinced, with Langlade,
from whom I learned all I tell you, that the remedy given will complete
the cure.
I want to know how you are, after your journey to Marseilles; I must
chide M. de Grignan for taking you with him; I can not approve of such
useless jaunts. Must not you also show Toulon, Hieres, Saint Baume,
Saint Maximin, and the Fountain of Vaucluse, to the Mademoiselles de
Grignan?
I am almost constantly with Madame de la Fayette, who must be totally
insensible to the charms of friendship, and the affections of the
heart, were she less afflicted than she is. I close this packet at her
house, at nine in the evening; she has read your little note; for, in
spite of her fears, she has hope enough to be able to read it. M. de
la Rochefoucault is still the same; his legs begin to swell, which the
Englishman does not like; he seems certain, however, that his medicines
will have the desired effect. If this be true, I shall admire the great
humanity of the physician in not tearing him piecemeal, for this will
be the ruin of them all; to take the fever out of their hands, is to
take the bread out of their mouths. Du Chêne is very easy about the
matter, but all the others are stark mad.