future antiquarian of dead literatures were to find in this
company none but great names and generous hearts, friends bound by
pure and holy ties, the illustrious figures of the century? May I
not justly pride myself on this assured possession, rather than on
a popularity necessarily unstable? For him who knows you well, it
is happiness to be able to sign himself, as I do here,

Your friend,
DE BALZAC.

PARIS, June 1840.




LETTERS OF TWO BRIDES




FIRST PART



I

LOUISE DE CHAULIEU TO RENEE DE MAUCOMBE.
PARIS, September.

Sweetheart, I too am free! And I am the first too, unless you have