The only man allowed entrance to the Queen’s bedchamber during her illness was her confessor, Father Dupont. Her two nursemaids, Tata Sous-sus and Lady Abigail Hofenhoff took turns mopping her brow. Tata, a survivor of the dreaded pox, was uncharacteristically kind and knowledgable about the proper treatment.
When Pirouette’s fever was so so high that it seemed as if she might burst into flames, Tata insisted that she be immersed in ice cold water. The. poor Queen screamed at this course of action, but after a few minutes, she settled down. Once she was pull from the tub and toweled dry, she seemed much better. It was then that the first spots appeared on her hand. She shrieked in terror.
“Not to worry, my child,” said Tata. “It is a good sign. A good sign. What are a few spots? I understand your dismay, but you are going to live, my love. Live!”
“From what I understand,” whispered Lady Abigail to one of the other ladies, “the worst is over.”
Beautiful Photographs 