Cardinal, came, and seven or eight candlesticks were carried by valets.  The Cardinal said a word or two to the King upon this great and last action, during which the King appeared very firm, but very penetrated with what he was doing.  As soon as he had received Our Saviour and the holy oils, everybody left the chamber except Madame de Maintenon and the Chancellor.  Immediately afterwards, and this was rather strange, a kind of book or little tablet was placed upon the bed, the codicil was presented to the King, and at the bottom of it he wrote four or five lines, and restored the document to the Chancellor.

After this, the King sent for M. le Duc d’Orleans, showed him much esteem, friendship, and confidence; but what is terrible with Jesus Christ still upon his lips—­the Sacrament he had just received—­he assured him, he would find nothing in his will with which he would not feel pleased.  Then he recommended to him the state and the person of the future King.

On Monday, the 26th of August, the King called to him the Cardinals de Rohan and de Bissy, protested that he died in the faith, and in submission to the Church, then added, looking at them, that he was sorry to leave the affairs of the Church as they were; that they knew he had done nothing except what they wished; that it was therefore for them to answer before God for what he had done; that his own conscience was clear, and that he was as an ignorant man who had abandoned himself entirely to them.  What a frightful thunderbolt was this to the two Cardinals; for this was an allusion to the terrible constitution they had assisted Pere Tellier in forcing upon him.  But their calm was superior to all trial.  They praised him and said he had done well, and that he might be at ease as to the result.

This same Monday, 26th of August, after the two Cardinals had left the room, the King dined in his bed in the presence of those who were privileged to enter.  As the things were being cleared away, he made them approach and addressed to them these words, which were stored up in their memory:—­“Gentlemen, I ask your pardon for the bad example I have given you.  I have much to thank you for the manner in which you have served me, and for the attachment and fidelity you have always shown for me.  I am very sorry I have not done for you all I should have wished to do; bad times have been the cause.  I ask for my grandson the same application and the same fidelity you have had for me.  He is a child who may experience many reverses.  Let your example be one for all my other subjects.  Follow the orders my nephew will give you; he is to govern the realm; I hope he will govern it well; I hope also that you will all contribute to keep up union, and that if any one falls away you will aid in bringing him back.  I feel that I am moved, and that I move you also.  I ask your pardon.  Adieu, gentlemen, I hope you will sometimes remember me.”