Another man, instead of crying out against this kind of death with which he was menaced, and of preferring another, allowing him no time for reflection, would have thought about leading a sober, healthy, and decent life, which, with the temperament he had, would have procured him a very long time, exceeding agreeable in the situation—­very probably durable—­ in which he found himself; but such was the double blindness of this unhappy prince.

I was on terms of much intimacy with M. de Frejus, and since, in default of M. le Duc d’Orleans, there must be another master besides the King, until he could take command, I preferred this prelate to any other.  I went to him, therefore, and told him what I had seen this morning of the state of M. le Duc d’Orleans.  I predicted that his death must soon come, and that it would arrive suddenly, without warning.  I counselled Frejus, therefore, to have all his arrangements ready with the King, in order to fill up the Regent’s place of prime minister when it should become vacant.  M. de Frejus appeared very grateful for the advice, but was measured and modest as though he thought the post much above him!

On the 22nd of December, 1723, I went from Meudon to Versailles to see M. le Duc d’Orleans; I was three-quarters of an hour with him in his cabinet, where I had found him alone.  We walked to and fro there, talking of affairs of which he was going to give an account to the King that day.  I found no difference in him, his state was, as usual, languid and heavy, as it had been for some time, but his judgment was clear as ever.  I immediately returned to Meudon, and chatted there some time with Madame de Saint-Simon on arriving.  On account of the season we had little company.  I left Madame de Saint-Simon in her cabinet, and went into mine.

About an hour after, at most, I heard cries and a sudden uproar.  I ran out and I found Madame de Saint-Simon quite terrified, bringing to me a groom of the Marquis de Ruffec, who wrote to me from Versailles, that M. le Duc d’Orleans was in a apoplectic fit.  I was deeply moved, but not surprised; I had expected it, as I have shown, for a long time.  I impatiently waited for my carriage, which was a long while coming, on account of the distance of the new chateau from the stables.  I flung myself inside; and was driven as fast as possible.

At the park gate I met another courier from M. de Ruffec, who stopped me, and said it was all over.  I remained there more than half an hour absorbed in grief and reflection.  At the end I resolved to go to Versailles, and shut myself up in my rooms; I learnt there the particulars of the event.

M. le Duc d’Orleans had everything prepared to go and work with the King.  While waiting the hour, he chatted with Madame Falari, one of his mistresses.  They were close to each other, both seated in armchairs, when suddenly he fell against her, and never from that moment had the slightest glimmer of consciousness.