I should stay in the closet, where, if I chose, I might observe all the apparitions through the curtains. I could not well refuse: I was myself indeed anxious to see, for once, something of that kind, having often heard wonderful accounts of the art. The closet, in which we were, was divided from the next apartment, a large saloon, by a curtain. From time to time, we heard a singular noise proceeding from the saloon. The Queen told me, that Master Lucas was there engaged in mystical preparations. At length, a clock struck seven times. The Queen said, this was the sign by which she was called. She then left me, entering the magic apartment, whilst I remained behind the curtain, from whence I could distinctly hear and see every thing that passed.
Master Lucas repeatedly expressed his wish that the Queen would desist from her purpose; he represented to her, that possibly an apparition might meet her eyes, which would shake her mind too violently. But she obstinately persisted in her design; and it was now, for the first time, I learned that she had asked to see the fate of France and her kings.
After a good deal of discussion, Master Lucas at length promised to satisfy her.—“You will see,” said he, “the line of the kings as they are to ascend the throne in succession, the longer or shorter stay of the apparitions marking the longer or shorter period of their reign. If they disappear whilst seated on the throne, this will be the sign of a natural death; but if they fall from it, it will indicate a violent end.”
Master Lucas now began his incantation. He incensed the place; a dense cloud of perfumed vapour filled the saloon, and was dissipated by degrees. I saw, in the back-ground, the royal throne, adorned with armories and the crown, but pale and dim as a faint reflexion in the water. A king was sitting upon the throne; but scarcely had I recognized in him the shape of Henry II., our present sovereign, when he fell with a fearful crash. I shuddered, but the Queen sustained this horrible sight with a composure which astonished me, although I knew the firmness of her character.
Immediately after this apparition, came a figure like the Dauphin: he seated himself on the throne, but disappeared very shortly. Instantly, a child appeared, resembling Prince Charles, took his place on the royal seat, staying rather longer than the former apparitions, and then disappeared. A crowned youth now ascended the throne, and I thought I recognized in his countenance the features of Henry, the younger prince. He sat for some time; a crash was then heard, like the fall of a thunderbolt, and the apparition fell suddenly from the throne.
The Queen now seemed violently agitated, and hid her face with her hands. The Master made a sign, and all vanished in an instant. Would you believe it, dear Mother, appalling as the spectacle had been, the Queen had not yet seen enough of horrors: she pressed the fearful man to renew his incantation, for she was determined to see the further destiny of the empire and its kings.
Master Lucas consented, and the throne appeared anew. A young handsome man, having likewise a crown on his head, approached with hasty steps to the throne; but he stopped for some time upon the
