where Madame de Girardin (née Delphine Gay), Théophile Gautier, Jules
Sandeau and Méry, broke lances like valiant knights of old.

We believe we respond to the general wish by adding to the _Bibliothèque
Nouvelle_ this unique work, which assumed and will ever retain a high
position among the literary curiosities of the day.

Not feeling called upon to decide who is the victor in the tilt, we
merely lift the pseudonymous veil concealing the champions.

The letters signed Irene de Chateaudun are by Madame de Girardin.
" " " Edgar de Meilhan " M. Théophile Gautier.
" " " Raymond de Villiers " M. Jules Sandeau.
" " " Roger de Monbert " M. Méry.

Who are recognised as the four most brilliant of our celebrated
contemporaneous authors.--EDITOR.




CROSS OF BERNY.




I.


IRENE DE CHATEAUDUN _to_ MME. LA VICOMTESSE DE BRAIMES,