Marie read your letter with tears, and is full of admiration for you.
As for me, I consent, not for my own sake, but for that of the family.
The King justified your expectations. Oh! that I might avenge you by
letting him see himself, dwarfed before the scorn with which you flung
him his toy, as you might toss a tiger its food.

The only thing I have taken for myself, dear brother, is my happiness.
I have taken Marie. For this I shall always be beholden to you, as the
creature to the Creator. There will be in my life and in Marie's one
day not less glorious than our wedding day--it will be the day when we
hear that your heart has found its mate, that a woman loves you as you
ought to be, and would be, loved. Do not forget that if you live for
us, we also live for you.

You can write to us with perfect confidence under cover to the Nuncio,
sending your letters _via_ Rome. The French ambassador at Rome will,
no doubt, undertake to forward them to Monsignore Bemboni, at the
State Secretary's office, whom our legate will have advised. No other
way would be safe. Farewell, dear exile, dear despoiled one. Be proud
at least of the happiness which you have brought to us, if you cannot
be happy in it. God will doubtless hear our prayers, which are full of
your name.



XV

LOUISE DE CHAULIEU TO MME. DE L'ESTORADE
March.