so blue, the oaks so beautiful, the calm so vast! . . .  Sache is six leagues from Tours.  But not a woman, not a conversation possible!”

Not only did Balzac visit them when he wished to compose a serious work, but he often went there to recuperate from overwork.  He probably did not enjoy their company, as he spoke of “having” to dine with them and he is perhaps even chargeable with ingratitude when he speaks of their parsimony.

Like his own family, these old people were interested in seeing him married to a rich lady, but to no avail.  In spite of his unkind remarks about them, Balzac appreciated their hospitality, and expressed it by dedicating to M. de Margonne Une Tenebreuse Affaire.

MADAME CARRAUD—­MADAME NIVET

“You are my public, you and a few other chosen souls, whom I wish to please; but yourself especially, whom I am proud to know, you whom I have never seen or listened to without gaining some benefit, you who have the courage to aid me in tearing up the evil weeds from my field, you who encourage me to perfect myself, you who resemble so much that angel to whom I owe everything; in short, you who are so good towards my ill-doings.  I alone know how quickly I turn to you.  I have recourse to your encouragements, when some arrow has wounded me; it is the wood-pigeon regaining its nest.  I bear you an affection which resembles no other, and which can have no rival, because it is alone of its kind.  It is so bright and pleasant near you!  From afar, I can tell you, without fear of being put to silence, all I think about your mind, about your life.  No one can wish more earnestly that the road be smooth for you.  I should like to send you all the flowers you love, as I often send above your head the most ardent prayers for your happiness.”

Balzac’s friendship with Madame Zulma Carraud was not only of the purest and most beautiful nature, but it lasted longer than his friendship with any other woman, terminating only with his death.  It was even more constant than that with his sister Laure, which was broken at times.  Though Madame Surville states that it began in 1826, the following passage shows an earlier date:  “I embrace you, and press you to a heart devoted to you.  A friendship as true and tender now in 1838 as in 1819.  Nineteen years!” The first letter to her in either edition of his correspondence, however, is dated 1826.

Madame Carraud, as Zulma Tourangin, attended the same convent as Balzac’s sister Laure.  Her husband was a distinguished officer in the artillery and a man of learning, but absolutely lacking in ambition, preferring to direct the instruction of Saint-Cyr rather than to risk the chances of advancement presented in active service.  He became inspector of the gunpowder manufactory at Angouleme, and later retired to his home at Frapesle, near Issoudun.  Though an excellent husband, his inactivity was a great annoyance to his wife.  According to several Balzacian writers,