I was almost forgetting to give you another piece of news.  I have consulted Mother Marie-des-Anges (whose history Marie-Gaston tells me he has related to you) on the subject of my doubts and fears as to the violence done to Mademoiselle de Lanty, and she has promised that in course of time she will discover the convent in which Marianina is a prisoner.  The worthy Mother, if she takes this into her head, is almost certain to succeed in finding the original of her Saint-Ursula.

I am not feeling at all easy in mind about Marie-Gaston.  He seems to me in a state of feverish agitation, partly created by the immense interest he takes in my success.  But I greatly fear that his efforts will result in a serious reaction.  His own grief, which at this moment he is repressing, has not in reality lost its sting.  Have you not been struck by the rather flighty and mocking tone of his letters, some of which he has shown to me?  That is not in his nature, for in his happiest days he was never turbulently gay; and I am sadly afraid that when this fictitious excitement about my election is over he may fall into utter prostration.  He has, however, consented to come and live with me, and not to go to Ville d’Avray unless I am with him.  Even this act of prudence, which I asked without hoping to obtain it, makes me uneasy.  Evidently he is afraid of the memories that await him there.  Have I the power to lessen the shock?  Old Philippe, who was left in charge of the place when he went to Italy, had orders not to move or change anything whatever in the house.  Our friend is therefore likely to find himself, in presence of those speaking objects, on the morrow as it were of his wife’s death.  Another alarming thing! he has only spoken of her once, and will not suffer me to approach the subject.  I hope, however, that this may be a crisis; once passed, I trust we may, by all uniting, succeed in composing his mind.

Victor or vanquished, I trust to meet you soon, madame, and always as your most respectful and devoted servant,

Charles de Sallenauve.

XIX

MARIE-GASTON TO THE COMTESSE DE L’ESTORADE

Arcis-sur-Aube, May 17, 1839.

That stupid riot in Paris, the incredible particulars of which we heard this morning by telegraph, came near causing us to lose the election.

The sub-prefect instantly placarded all over the town the news of this attempt at insurrection—­no doubt instigated by the government to affect the elections.  “What! elect a democrat!” was repeated everywhere in Arcis, and doubtless elsewhere, “so that his speeches in the Chamber may be made the ammunition of insurgents!”

That argument threw our phalanx into disorder and hesitation.  But the idea occurred to Jacques Bricheteau to turn the danger itself to good account, and he hastily printed on a sheet of paper and distributed all over the town in enormous quantities the following notice:—­