Cécile: Gates of Gold

Doctor Fagon

Cécile leaps into the fountain after the dog. The boy’s governess, Madame de Ventadour, most likely about Cécile’s grandmother’s age, goes in after the boy. Sopping wet, they climb out of the fountain. Cécile rushes to apologize, but the Princess doesn’t seem upset. Madame de Maintenon, however, is glaring at Cécile. She exclaims that if Bretagne is hurt at all, she’ll hold Madame responsible.

Nearby soldiers run off to call for Doctor Fagon. Cécile can see that Bretagne’s forehead is scraped and bumped, but is nothing that “a little rest wouldn’t heal,” to quote her father. But Doctor Fagon comes anyway.

Cécile introduces herself as Cécile Revel. The last name sparks a memory in Doctor Fagon. He explains that there used to be a doctor at the palace of the name Revel, but they sent him off to the Bastille a long while ago.

The Bastille is a prison where criminals and enemies of the King were sent, and oftentimes never heard from again. There’s no way that her father could be the same Doctor Revel.

When Doctor Revel begins to inspect the boy, he immediately asks the doctor not to do a bloodletting on him. Doctor Fagon insists that the regular bloodletting sessions the boy receives are enough to keep him healthy. Cécile has heard of bloodletting, of course. Some doctors believe it can be used to treat ailments and prevent illness. Of course, Cécile’s father doesn’t approve. Cécile is surprised the royal family receives bloodletting often, and for a moment, she’s grateful for her peasant upbringing.

Doctor Fagon rubs a little ointment on the boy’s forehead, and they all stand up to leave. Quickly, Cécile picks up the dog and scurries away, eager to not make casual conversation with the doctor.