that I made her lie down upon the Bed, and taking a Book in my Hand, I sat down by her to read, while she rested: But all on a sudden, I felt her lay hold of my Hand, and as I turned about to her, my Mistress gave my Hand a Squeeze, and that Instant expir’d. I called for Help, and both Surgeons and Physicians came, by whose Order she was blooded; but ’twas to no Purpose: For there’s no returning from the Shore of the Dead.
This Accident so surprized me, that I did not so much as think of securing my own Effects; but went into my Room, and presently I was given to understand, that one of the Sons of the Deceased was come with an Officer to seal up all her Effects. I did not in the least oppose it, nor, indeed, had I any manner of Title to dispute it. But my Good-nature only made the Son the more insolent; for he even came into my own Apartment, to seal up such Effects as belong’d to me. I told him, that if he did not withdraw, I would make my Servants, and those of the Deceased, who had all a Respect for me, turn him out. During this, the late M. de N——, a Counsellor of Parliament, who was very much my Friend, came to see me, who advised me to quit my Quarters with all Speed, and to pack up every Thing that belong’d to me immediately. He also offer’d me Room in his House for my Furniture, and other Effects; which Offer I accepted, and in a few Hours every Thing of mine was clear’d off of the Premises. The Sons, after this, threaten’d to enter an Action against me; but as they had no Proof of any Thing that I ow’d to their Mother, they did not presume to molest me. If I had been of the Temper then, that I am now, I should not have so soon forgot the Loss I suffer’d; for, besides a good She-Friend, which is a
rare and precious Thing, I lost the Hopes of a splendid Fortune.
I know not how it came into my Head, to entertain you with my quondam Amours. But ’tis a Vein of Prating which I am indulg’d in, more by you than by any body. Farewel, my Dear, you will hear no more of me about this Country, for I am preparing to quit it the very first Opportunity.
LETTER XLIV.
SIR,Brussels, June 4, 1732.
When I left Paris, I kept on the Pavement all the Way to Chantilly, which may pass for the finest Seat in the Kingdom, since the great Additions made to it by the Duke of Bourbon, who is the Lord of it. The Forest likewise, of Chantilly, is as fine as any thing that ever Art and Nature form’d. ’Tis a magnificent Palace, the Stables are stately, and the Park is adorned with the finest Pieces of Water in the World. Lewis XIV, who was always very desirous of being the Master of this House, wanted to purchase it of the late Prince. The latter made Answer to him, That it was at his Service, only he begged him, he would make him the Keeper of it from that Moment. The King perceived, that the Prince resigned it to him with some Reluctance, and therefore spoke no more of it.