The king had gone to be with him at Meudon, forbidding the court to come near the castle.

The small court of Monseigneur were huddled together in the lofts.

The king was amused with delusive hopes; his chief physician, Fagon, would answer for the invalid.

The king continued to hold his councils as usual, and the deputation of market-women (_dames de la Halle_), come from Paris to have news of Monseigneur, went away, declaring that they would go and sing a Te Deum, as he was nearly well.
"It is not time yet, my good women," said Monseigneur, who had given them a reception.

That very evening he was dead, without there having been time to send for his confessor in ordinary.