However, I had made up my mind. I entreated my poor weeping Cecile
to hold out yet a little longer in hope; and then I returned home to
lay the whole situation before the Marquis, and to beg him to assert
his authority as uncle, and formally request that she might reside
under his protection while her husband was with the army--a demand
which could hardly fail to be granted.
I wrote also to M. d'Aubepine, over whom I thought I had some
influence, and added likewise a letter to my half-brother De Solivet,
explaining the situation, and entreating him to get the young
gentleman into his lodgings, and not let him out till he had written
his letters, signed and sealed them!
The plan answered. In due time our courier returned, and with all we
wanted in the way of letters, with one great exception, alas! any
true sign of tenderness for the young wife. There was a formal
letter for her, telling her to put herself and her children under the
charge of her uncle and her brother's widow, leaving the charge of
the chateau and the servants to the intendant and to Mademoiselle de
Gringrimeau. The poor child had to imbibe what her yearning heart
could extract from the conventional opening and close. I have my
share of the budget still, and her it is:---
'MADAME--You still love to play your part of beneficent angel, and wish
to take on your shoulder my impedimenta. Well, be it so then; though I
have no hope that you will make thereof (en) anything like yourself.
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