Everyone went to Court to enquire after the King's health, and
Monsieur de Cleves came home at certain times to give her an account of
it; he behaved himself to her in the same manner he used to do, except
when they were alone, and then there appeared something of coldness and
reserve: he had not spoke to her again concerning what had passed, nor
had she power, nor did she think it convenient to resume the discourse
of it. The Duke de Nemours, who had waited for an opportunity of speaking to
Madam de Cleves, was surprised and afflicted not to have had so much as
the pleasure to see her. The King's illness increased so much, that
the seventh day he was given over by the physicians; he received the
news of the certainty of his death with an uncommon firmness of mind;
which was the more to be admired, considering that he lost his life by
so unfortunate an accident, that he died in the flower of his age,
happy, adored by his people, and beloved by a mistress he was
desperately in love with. The evening before his death he caused
Madame his sister to be married to the Duke of Savoy without ceremony.
One may judge what condition the Duchess of Valentinois was in; the
Queen would not permit her to see the King, but sent to demand of her
the King's signets, and the jewels of the crown which she had in her
custody.
The Duchess enquired if the King was dead, and being
answered, "No"; "I have then as yet no other matter," said she, "and
nobody can oblige me to restore what he has trusted in my hands." As
soon as the King expired at Chateau de Toumelles, the Duke of Ferrara,
the Duke of Guise, and the Duke de Nemours conducted the Queen-Mother,
the New King and the Queen-Consort to the Louvre. The Duke de Nemours
led the Queen-Mother. As they began to march, she stepped back a
little, and told the Queen her daughter-in-law, it was her place to go
first; but it was easy to see, that there was more of spleen than
decorum in this compliment.