I learnt afterwards that this Prince, while on his way to Meudon for the Easter fetes, met at Chaville a priest, who was carrying Our Lord to a sick person.  Monseigneur, and Madame de Bourgogne, who was with him, knelt down to adore the Host, and then Monseigneur inquired what was the malady of the patient.  “The small-pox,” he was told.  That disease was very prevalent just then.  Monseigneur had had it, but very lightly, and when young.  He feared it very much, and was struck with the answer he now received.  In the evening he said to Boudin, his chief doctor, “I should not be surprised if I were to have the small-pox.”  The, day, however, passed over as usual.

On the morrow, Thursday, the 9th, Monseigneur rose, and meant to go out wolf-hunting; but as he was dressing, such a fit of weakness seized him, that he fell into his chair.  Boudin made him get into bed again; but all the day his pulse was in an alarming state.  The King, only half informed by Fagon of what had taken place, believed there was nothing the matter, and went out walking at Marly after dinner, receiving news from time to time.  Monseigneur le Duc de Bourgogne and Madame de Bourgogne dined at Meudon, and they would not quit Monseigneur for one moment.  The Princess added to the strict duties of a daughter-in-law all that her gracefulness could suggest, and gave everything to Monseigneur with her own hand.  Her heart could not have been troubled by what her reason foresaw; but, nevertheless, her care and attention were extreme, without any airs of affectation or acting.  The Duc de Bourgogne, simple and holy as he was, and full of the idea of his duty, exaggerated his attention; and although there was a strong suspicion of the small-pox, neither quitted Monseigneur, except for the King’s supper.

The next day, Friday, the 10th, in reply to his express demands, the King was informed of the extremely dangerous state of Monseigneur.  He had said on the previous evening that he would go on the following morning to Meudon, and remain there during all the illness of Monseigneur whatever its nature might be.  He was now as good as his word.  Immediately after mass he set out for Meudon.  Before doing so, he forbade his children, and all who had not had the small-pox, to go there, which was suggested by a motive of kindness.  With Madame de Maintenon and a small suite, he had just taken up his abode in Meudon, when Madame de Saint-Simon sent me the letter of which I have just made mention.

I will continue to speak of myself with the same truthfulness I speak of others, and with as much exactness as possible.  According to the terms on which I was with Monseigneur and his intimates, may be imagined the impression made upon me by this news.  I felt that one way or other, well or ill, the malady of Monseigneur would soon terminate.  I was quite at my ease at La Ferme.  I resolved therefore to wait there until I received fresh particulars.  I despatched a courier to Madame de Saint-Simon, requesting her to send me another the next day, and I passed the rest of this day, in an ebb and flow of feelings; the man and the Christian struggling against the man and the courtier, and in the midst of a crowd of vague fancies catching glimpses of the future, painted in the most agreeable colours.