“And I of you, at Versailles.”
CHAPTER XLIX.
IN WHICH WE FIND DR. LOUIS.
Perhaps our readers, remembering in what a position we left M. de Charny, will not dislike to return with us to that little ante-chamber at Versailles into which this brave seaman, who feared neither men nor elements, had fled, lest he should show his weakness to the queen. Once arrived there, he felt it impossible to go further; he stretched out his arms, and was only saved from falling to the ground by the aid of those around. He then fainted, and was totally ignorant that the queen had seen him, and would have run to his assistance had Andrée not prevented her, more even from a feeling of jealousy than from regard for appearances. Immediately after the king entered, and seeing a man lying supported by two guards, who, unaccustomed to see men faint, scarcely knew what to do, advanced, saying, “Some one is ill here.”
At his voice the men started and let their burden fall.
“Oh!” cried the king, “it is M. de Charny. Place him on this couch, gentlemen.” Then they brought him restoratives, and sent for a doctor.
The king waited to hear the result. The doctor’s first care was to open the waistcoat and shirt of the young man to give him air, and then he saw the wound.
“A wound!” cried the king.
“Yes,” said M. de Charny, faintly, “an old wound, which has reopened;” and he pressed the hand of the doctor to make him understand.
But this was not a court doctor, who understands everything; so, willing to show his knowledge, “Old, sir! this wound is not twenty-four hours old.”
Charny raised himself at this, and said, “Do you teach me, sir, when I received my wound?” Then, turning round, he cried, “The king!” and hastened to button his waistcoat.