第95章

Marie-Gaston thinks that the help and advice of a person of her own sex, with a high reputation for virtue and good judgment, would be in such a case most efficacious; and he declares that he and I both know a lady who, at our earnest entreaty, might take this duty upon herself.The person to whom Marie-Gaston makes allusion is but a recent acquaintance of mine, and I could hardly ask even an old friend to take such a care upon her shoulders.I know, however, that you once did me the honor to say that "certain relations ripen rapidly." Marie-Gaston insists that this lady, being kind and pious and most charitable, will be attracted by the idea of helping and advising a poor lonely woman.On our return to Paris, madame, we shall venture to consult you, and you will tell us whether we may ask for this precious assistance.

In any case, I will ask you to be my intermediary with Monsieur de l'Estorade; tell him the facts I have now told you, and say that Ihope the little cloud between us may be effectually removed.If I am elected, we shall be, I know, in opposite camps; but as my intention is not to take a tone of systematic opposition in all the questions which may arise between our parties, I do not think there need be any break between us.

By this time to-morrow, madame, I may have received a checkmate which will send me back forever to my studio, or I shall have a foot in a new career.Shall I tell you that the thought of the latter result distresses me?--doubtless from a fear of the Unknown.

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, Itrust 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.