He would not have me at
Freiburg on any account.
I submitted; indeed I saw no cause for fear, and even rejoiced that
for a long time I should have my husband to myself. I made all ready
for him, and taught my little Gaspard now he would say: 'Soyez le
bienvenu, mon papa.'
So passed a week. Then one day there was a clanking of spurs on the
stairs; I flew to the door and there stood M. d'Aubepine.
'Is he near?' I cried, and then I saw he was white and trembling.
'Ah! no,' he cried; 'he is at Brisach! We could bring him no
farther. Can you come with me, Madame? He asked incessantly for
you, and it might--it might be that your coming may revive him.'
And then this wild headstrong youth actually sank into a chair, hid
his face on the table, and sobbed as if his heart would break.
I had no time for weeping then. I sent for the first physician in
Nancy, and offered him any sum in the world to accompany me; I had to
make almost wild efforts to procure a horse, and at last had to force
one from the governor by my importunities. I collected wine and
cordials, and whatever could be of service, and after his first
outburst my young brother-in-law helped me in a way I can never
forget. No doubt the pestiferous air caused by the horrible carnage
of Freiburg had poisoned the wound. As soon as possible my husband
was removed; but the mischief had been already done; the wound was in
a bad state, fever had set in, and though he struggled on stage after
stage, declaring that he should be well when he saw me, the agony had
been such on the last day that they barely got him to Brisach, and he
there became delirious, so that M.
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