Graslin's soul is moved by true enthusiasm, it sheds an expression
upon her face which changes it completely. Her countenance is like a
landscape,--dull in winter, glorious in summer; but the world will
always see it in winter. When she talks with friends on some literary
or philosophical topic, or on certain religious questions which
interest her, she is roused into appearing suddenly an unknown woman
of marvellous beauty."

This declaration, which was caused by observing the phenomenon that
formerly made Veronique so beautiful on her return from the holy
table, made a great noise in Limoges, where for a time the young
deputy, to whom the place of the _procureur-general_ was said to be
promised, played a leading part. In all provincial towns a man who
rises a trifle above others becomes, for a period more or less
protracted, the object of a liking which resembles enthusiasm, and
which usually deceives the object of this ephemeral worship. It is to
this social caprice that we owe so many local geniuses, soon ignored
and their false reputations mortified. The men whom women make the
fashion in this way are oftener strangers than compatriots.

In this particular case the admirers of the Vicomte de Grandville were
not mistaken; he was in truth a superior man. Madame Graslin was the
only woman he found in Limoges with whom he could exchange ideas and
keep up a varied conversation. A few months after his arrival,
attracted by the increasing charm of Veronique's manners and
conversation, he proposed to the Abbe Dutheil, and a few other of the
remarkable men in Limoges, to meet in the evenings at Madame Graslin's
house and play whist. At this time Madame Graslin was at home five
evenings in the week to visitors, reserving two free days, as she
said, for herself.