could have weight with you, I should tell you that if anything
were capable of disturbing the happiness I hope for in the next
world, it would be to see you fall like other women; but if this
calamity must necessarily happen, I shall meet death with joy, as
it will hinder me from being a witness of it."

Madam de Cleves bathed with tears her mother's hand, which she
held fast locked in her own; nor was Madam de Chartres less
moved. "Adieu, dear daughter," said she, "let us put an end
to a conversation which melts us both; and remember, if you are
able, all that I have been saying to you."

When she had spoke this, she turned herself on the other side,
and ordered her daughter to call her women, being unwilling
either to hear her reply, or to speak any more. Madam de Cleves
went out of her presence in a condition one need not describe;
and Madam de Chartres thought of nothing but preparing herself
for death: she lived two days longer, during which she would not
see her daughter again; her daughter was the only thing she had
reluctance to part with.

Madam de Cleves was in the utmost affliction; her husband did not
leave her, and no sooner was her mother expired, but he carried
her into the country, that she might not have in her eye a place
which could serve only to sharpen her sorrow, which was scarce to
be equalled. Though tenderness and gratitude had the greatest
share in her griefs, yet the need which she found she had of her
mother to guard her against the Duke of Nemours added no small
weight to them; she found she was unhappy in being left to
herself, at a time when she was so little mistress of her own