Soon, however, it became necessary for him to form some resolution.

On the sixteenth James sank into a stupor which indicated the near approach of death.

While he lay in this helpless state, Madame de Maintenon visited his consort.

To this visit many persons who were likely to be well informed attributed a long series of great events.

We cannot wonder that a woman should have been moved to pity by the misery of a woman; that a devout Roman Catholic should have taken a deep interest in the fate of a family persecuted, as she conceived, solely for being Roman Catholics; or that the pride of the widow of Scarron should have been intensely gratified by the supplications of a daughter of Este and a Queen of England.
From mixed motives, probably, the wife of Lewis promised her powerful protection to the wife of James.
Madame de Maintenon was just leaving Saint Germains when, on the brow of the hill which overlooks the valley of the Seine, she met her husband, who had come to ask after his guest.