Chapter 20

The death of my uncle.

I was still at home at noon the next day, about to go to my uncle’s, when his wife’s niece came to the door. In an alarming tone she told me to come to his house that very moment, as fast as I could. Fearing some disastrous event, I left immediately. 

Mrs. Berbiguier met me at the house and took me to her apartment, where I found my uncle in a desperate state. I asked him a number of questions, but they went unanswered. It was a dreadful change, the day before he was swearing his friendship to me and seemed in fine health. She had found her husband in this state when she woke up in his apartment, and immediately called her doctor. The doctor’s prescriptions produced no good effect, his breathing became more difficult, more painful, and he was unable to speak because of his terrible cough. The doctor brushed off our questions, saying that this was my uncle’s usual illness, but it had grown much worse.

I decided then to never leave my uncle’s side, and to serve him until his last moments. The doctor saw my affection for the man and allowed me to stay, using what art he had to lessen my uncle’s pain, but ultimately in vain. 

The people of my uncle’s church, the parish of Saint-Suplice, did not know me, but I brought my uncle and the doctor  to the church to gain some spiritual grace. One of the vicars came to see him, but my uncle could no longer utter a single word. He gave what blessings he was allowed to give, and departed.

Ms. Comaille, my uncle’s niece, and another lady who we did not often see, came to seek news of his condition, which was not a hopeful one. They offered to join me in caring for him, but it did no good: the Grand Judge had proclaimed his decision, nothing could delay its execution. 

The moment he left us remains constantly in my memory. Beloved uncle, you were the joy of my life. May heaven and the faith you served so well lead you eternal happiness.

The funeral procession came the next day, to take him to the cemetery, blessing me with twenty-four hours in his company before he was taken away. The lid was left open to me as I kept vigil, and I prayed for God’s grace upon him, thankful for these last moments. His grave wasn’t dug until the next day. I went there, and had the coffin unnailed to make sure he was there in the box. I knelt before him, overcome by this sad and painful separation, and asked God to grant him grace. 

 I paid my respects to his widow and let her know of my prayers, my grief and sincerity clear on my face. Then I went home, needing to rest, to think about my loss.