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alone。 A swarm of rich and powerful legitimists thronged around him；
a journalL'Iflexiblewas secured to the interests of the Duke do
Normandie； and La Vendee； with a thousand loyal voices； summoned
King Louis XVII。 to herself。 There； as he was on the point of
hastening to his faithful ones； God laid his hand upon him and held
him back； a stroke of paralysis crippled his limbs。 After recovering
from this attack； the strength of his mind was taken away； and the
decided； fiery； indefatigable pretender became a gentle； pious monk；
who fasted and prayed； and wandered to Rome to have an interview
with Pope Pius IX。； and received absolution from him for all his
sins。
The pope met the Duke de Normandie at Gaeta on the 20th of February；
1849； and had a long and secret conversation with him； and； when
Louis Charles withdrew； it was as a quiet； pious； smiling man； who
never denied his high extraction； but who had no longer a wish to be
restored to the inheritance of his fathers。 More and more he
withdrew from the world； and lived only in the circle of a few
noble…born legitimists； who never addressed him excepting as 〃sire。〃
He accepted the title as one that was his due； and never refused it
even when approached by many adherents of the new Napoleonic
dynasty。 At that time he wrote to his friends：
〃You ask me what I wish； what the end of my struggle is； which has
now lasted more than a half century？ I will tell you。 You do not
suppose； I trust； that I am still determined to ascend the throne of
France： to do this would be a great misfortune for me； but it would
certainly be a greater one for France； and it would rightly be said
of both of us that we merit our misfortune； still less do I hope to
attain to wealth and high station by being recognized。 You know that
I need very little for my support； and that this little is amply
provided for。 What else should I strive for？ To avenge myself？ My
friend； I am at an age when the blood flows slower through the
veins； and when one finds an inexpressible charm in forgiving。 What；
then； do I wish？ What could I have？ Why do I incessantly strive？
This is the reason； my friend： I should like； before my death； to
convince all who have disinterestedly believed in me； that it is not
a political adventurer； but the royal 'orphan of the Temple；' who
owes them his friendship； and gives them his gratitude。〃
And this last goal of his life was within his reach。 The friends and
legitimists who surrounded him believed in him； and when he died his
dependants and servants mourned for him as for a departed king。 They
bore him with solemn pomp to his grave； at the dead of night。
Some fifty persons followed his coffin； and a priest went before it。
He was buried in the churchyard of Villefranche； and his tombstone
bears the following inscription：
Here rests Louis Charles of France Born at Versailles； March 27；
1785。 Died in the Chateau of Vaux…Renaud； August 10； 1858。
End