He looked less ill than I had dreaded to see him.  I think he felt at rest after the struggle he had undergone to preserve the faith he really loved.  He had never relaxed his guard for a single moment till the Duke of Gloucester had come, fearing that if he ceased his vigilance, that might be done which we felt to be mercy, but which he could not submit to.  He always had a calmly resolute will, and he knew now that he must avoid all agitation until he was able to bear it; so he would not ask any questions.  He only showed me that he was glad of my return, pointed to Nan, saying:  ’She has been sorely tried, take care of her,’ and asked me if I could find out how it fared with Darpent.

It was too late to do anything that evening, and I went to mass as early as I could in the morning, that the streets might be quiet; and when I rose from my knees I was accosted by a Sister of Charity who told me that there was terrible need at the Hotel Dieu.  Men were continually brought in, shockingly injured in the street frays that were constantly taking place, and by the violences of the band of robbers and bravoes with whom the Duke of Orleans surrounded his carriage, and there was exceedingly little help and nursing for them, owing to the absence of the Queen, and of so many of the great ladies who sometimes lavished provisions, comforts, and attendance on the patients.

I had three hours to spare before any one would be up, so I went home, got together all the old linen and provisions I could muster, told my sister where I was going, and caused my chairmen to carry me to the hospital.  The streets were perfectly quiet then, only the bakers’ boys running about with their ells of bread, the water-carriers and the faggot-men astir, and round the churches a few women hurrying to their prayers, looking about as if half dreading a tumult.

Poor people!  I had never seen the hospital so full, or in so sad a condition.  The Sisters and the priests of St. Lazare were doing their utmost, and with them a very few ladies.  I had staid long enough to fear that I must be needed at home when I saw another lady coming to take my place, and recognized Madame Darpent.  We met with more eagerness than the good old devout dame usually allowed herself to show, for each accepted the appearance of the other as a token of the improvement of out patients at home.  She said her son was nearly well in health, but that his arm was still unserviceable, having been cruelly twisted by the miscreants who had attacked him; and when I told her that my brother was likewise recovering, she exclaimed: 

’Ah!  Madame, I dare not ask it; but if Madame la Vicomtesse could kindly leave word of the good news as she passes our house, it would be a true charity to my poor son.  We have heard sad accounts of the illness of M. de Ribaumont.  The servants at the Hotel de Nidemerle confirmed them, and my son, knowing that M. le Baron was hurt in his behalf, has been devoured with misery.  If Madame could let him know at once it would spare him four or five hours of distress, ere I can leave these poor creatures.’