MADAME:  Need I tell you that I left your house profoundly touched by your goodness, and bearing away in my heart one of the most precious memories that shall survive my youth?  What can I tell you that you have not already learnt from my distress and emotion at the hour of parting?  Tears came to my eyes as I pressed M. de Braimes’s hand, that loyal hand which had so often pressed my father’s, and when I turned back to get one last look at you, surrounded by your beautiful children, who waved me a final adieu, I felt as if I had left behind me the better part of myself; for a moment I reproached you for having cured me so quickly.  My friends have nicknamed me Don Quixote, I do not exactly know why; but this I do know, that with the prospect of a reward like unto that which you have offered me, any one would accept the office of redresser of wrongs and slayer of giants, even at the risk of having to jump into the fire occasionally to save a Lady Penock.

More generous than the angels, you have awarded me, on earth, the palm which is reserved for martyrs in heaven.  You appeared before me like one of those benevolent fairies which exorcise evil genii.  ’Tis true that you do not wear the magic ring, but your wit alleviates suffering and proclaims a truce to pain.  Till now I have laughed at the stoics who declare that suffering is not an evil; seated at my pillow, one smile from you converted me to their belief.  Hitherto I have believed that patience and resignation were virtues beyond my strength and courage; without an effort, you have taught me that patience is sweet and resignation easy to attain.  I have been persuaded that health is the greatest boon given to man:  you have proved its fallacy.  And M. de Braimes has shown himself your faithful accomplice, not to speak of your dear little ones, who, for a month past, have converted my room into a flower-garden and a bird-cage, where they were the sweetest flowers and the gayest birds.  Finally, as if my life, restored by your tender care, was not enough, you have added to it the priceless jewel of your friendship.  A thousand thanks and blessings!  With you happiness entered into my destiny.  You were the dawn announcing a glorious sunrise, the prelude to the melodies which, since yesterday, swell in my bosom.  If I take pleasure in recognising your gentle influence in the secret delight that pervades my being, do not deprive me of the illusion.  I believe, with my mother, in mysterious influences.  I believe that, as there are miserable beings who, unwittingly, drag misfortune after them and sow it over their pathway, there are others, on the other hand, who, marked by the finger of God, bear happiness to all whom they meet.  Happy the wanderer who, like me, sees one of those privileged beings cross his path!  Their presence, alone, brings down blessings from heaven and the earth blossoms under their footsteps.