"When the usurper returned... [let us omit these historic matters]. The King again reëntered his States. Where are the acts of grace which have been rendered to God for so glorious a miracle?" And Louis XVIII still weeps.... Then Martin recalls to him private facts regarding his exile.
"Keep the secret of them," returns the King; "there will only be God, you and myself who will ever know that.... Has it not been said to you how it is necessary that I should conduct myself in governing France?"
"No, he has made no mention to me of all that which is in the writings; the minister has the writings, as the things have been announced."
"Has he not said to you that I have already sent forth decrees for all that you have spoken of to me?"
"No, no one has mentioned it to me...."
"... If, however, he returns, you will ask him how it is necessary that I should conduct myself in governing."
"It has been said to me that as soon as my commission to the King had been accomplished, I would never see anything more and that I would be undisturbed."
Louis XVIII, perhaps less troubled than the worthy Martin believes, continues to question the seer and to make him detail the circumstances under which certain of his previsions have been realized. (The medical report informs of these curious coincidences.) Then, having listened to this story—"It is the same angel," he says, "who led the young Tobias to Ragès and who made him marry her." He takes the right hand of Martin, that which the angel has pressed, and adds: "Pray for me."
"Surely, Sire, I and my family, as well as the curate of Gallardon, have always prayed that the affair should succeed."
"How old is the curate of Gallardon? Has he been with you long?"