'When a hero, adored by his
officers, actually declares that the only thing he does not wish to
see in France is his wife, what can you expect of them? Even some
who really love their wives bade them remain at home, and will steal
away to see them with a certain shame; and for Aubepine, he is only
too proud to resemble the Prince in being married against his will to
a little half-deformed child, who is to be avoided.'
I cried out at this, and demanded whether my little sister-in-law
could possibly be thus described. He owned that she was incredibly
improved, and begged my pardon and hers, saying that he was only
repeating what Aubepine either believed or pretended to believe her
to be.
'If I could only speak with him!' I said. 'For my husband's sake I
used to have some influence with him. I would give the world to meet
him before he sees the intendant and his wife. Could we contrive
it?'
In a few moments we had settled it. Happily we were both in full
dress, in case friends should have dropped in on us. Both of us had
the entree at Madame de Longueville's, and it would be quite correct
to pay her our compliments on the return of her brother.
I believe Solivet a little questioned whether one so headstrong had
not better be left to himself, but he allowed that no one had ever
done as much with Armand d'Aubepine as my husband and myself, and
when he heard my urgent wish to forestall the intendant, whose wife
was Cecile's old tyrant, Mademoiselle de Gringrimeau, he thought it
worth the venture.
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