The King was but little regretted.  His valets and a few other people felt his loss, scarcely anybody else.  His successor was not yet old enough to feel anything.  Madame entertained for him only fear and considerate respect.  Madame la Duchesse de Berry did not like him, and counted now upon reigning undisturbed.  M. le Duc d’Orleans could scarcely be expected to feel much grief for him.  And those who may have been expected did not consider it necessary to do their duty.  Madame de Maintenon was wearied with him ever since the death of the Dauphine; she knew not what to do, or with what to amuse him; her constraint was tripled because he was much more with her than before.  She had often, too, experienced much ill-humour from him.  She had attained all she wished, so whatever she might lose in losing him, she felt herself relieved, and was capable of no other sentiment at first.  The ennui and emptiness of her life afterwards made her feel regret.  As for M. du Maine, the barbarous indecency of his joy need not be dwelt upon.  The icy tranquillity of his brother, the Comte de Toulouse, neither increased nor diminished.  Madame la Duchesse d’Orleans surprised me.  I had expected some grief, I perceived only a few tears, which upon all occasions flowed very readily from her eyes, and which were soon dried up.  Her bed, which she was very fond of, supplied what was wanting during several days, amidst obscurity which she by no means disliked.

But the window curtains were soon withdrawn and grief disappeared.

As for the Court, it was divided into two grand parties, the men hoping to figure, to obtain employ, to introduce themselves:  and they were ravished to see the end of a reign under which they had nothing to hope for; the others; fatigued with a heavy yoke, always overwhelming, and of the ministers much more than of the King, were charmed to find themselves at liberty.  Thus all, generally speaking, were glad to be delivered from continual restraint, and were eager for change.

Paris, tired of a dependence which had enslaved everything, breathed again in the hope of liberty, and with joy at seeing at an end the authority of so many people who abused it.  The provinces in despair at their ruin and their annihilation breathed again and leaped for joy; and the Parliament and the robe destroyed by edicts and by revolutions, flattered themselves the first that they should figure, the other that they should find themselves free.  The people ruined, overwhelmed, desperate, gave thanks to God, with a scandalous eclat, for a deliverance, their most ardent desires had not anticipated.