La Falari, frightened as much as may be imagined, cried with all her might for help, and redoubled her cries.  Seeing that nobody replied, she supported as best she could this poor prince upon the contiguous arms of the two chairs, ran into the grand cabinet, into the chamber, into the ante-chambers, without finding a soul; finally, into the court and the lower gallery.  It was the hour at which M. le Duc d’Orleans worked with the King, an hour when people were sure no one would come and see him, and that he had no need of them, because he ascended to the King’s room by the little staircase from his vault, that is to say his wardrobe.  At last La Falari found somebody, and sent the first who came to hand for help.  Chance; or rather providence, had arranged this sad event at a time when everybody was ordinarily away upon business or visits, so that a full half-hour elapsed before doctor or surgeon appeared, and about as long before any domestics of M. le Duc d’Orleans could be found.

As soon as the faculty had examined the Regent; they judged his case hopeless.  He was hastily extended upon the floor, and bled, but he gave not the slightest sign of life, do what they might to him.  In an instant, after the first announcement, everybody flocked to the spot; the great and the little cabinet were full of people.  In less than two hours all was over, and little by little the solitude became as great as the crowd had been.  As soon as assistance came, La Falari flew away and gained Paris as quickly as possible.

La Vrilliere was one of the first who learnt of the attack of apoplexy.  He instantly ran and informed the King and the Bishop of Frejus.  Then M. le Duc, like a skilful courtier, resolved to make the best of his time; he at once ran home and drew up at all hazards the patent appointing M. le Duc prime minister, thinking it probable that that prince would be named.  Nor was he deceived.  At the first intelligence of apoplexy, Frejus proposed M. le Duc to the King, having probably made his arrangements in advance.  M. le Duc arrived soon after, and entered the cabinet where he saw the King, looking very sad, his eyes red and tearful.

Scarcely had he entered than Frejus said aloud to the King, that in the loss he had sustained by the death of M. le Duc d’Orleans (whom he very briefly eulogised), his Majesty could not do better than beg M. le Duc, there present, to charge himself with everything, and accept the post of prime minister M. le Duc d’Orleans had filled.  The King, without saying a word, looked at Frejus, and consented by a sign of the head, and M. le Duc uttered his thanks.

La Vrilliere, transported with joy at the prompt policy he had followed, had in his pocket the form of an oath taken by the prime minister, copied from that taken by M. le Duc d’Orleans, and proposed to Frejus to administer it immediately.  Frejus proposed it to the King as a fitting thing, and M. le Duc instantly took it.  Shortly after, M. le Duc went away; the crowd in the adjoining rooms augmented his suite, and in a moment nothing was talked of but M. le Duc.