“That, madam,” answered La Martinière, “is the only point upon which you must excuse my consulting you, unless, indeed, you are armed with a physician’s diploma.”
“Monsieur la Martinière,” cried the duc de Richelieu, “you might employ more gentle language when speaking to a lady.”
“Was I sent for hither,” inquired the angry physician, “to go through a course of politeness?”
For my own part I felt the utmost dread, I scarcely knew of what. Bordeu, seeing my consternation, hastened to interfere, by saying,
“At any rate, monsieur la Martinière, you will not alarm the king needlessly.”
“Nor lull him into a false security,” answered the determined La Martinière. “But what is his malady have you seen him, doctor Bordeu?”
“Not yet.”
“Then why do we linger here? Your servant, ladies and gentlemen.”
The medical men then departed, accompanied the duc de Richelieu.