it there is neither modesty nor self-interest on my part. I desire
to bear testimony to the true friendship between us which
continues unchanged in spite of travels and absence,--in spite,
too, of our mutual hard work and the maliciousness of the world.
This feeling will doubtless never change. The procession of
friendly names which accompany my books mingles pleasure with the
pain their great number causes me, for they are not written
without anxiety, to say nothing of the reproach cast upon me for
my alarming fecundity,--as if the world which poses before me were
not more fecund still. Would it not be a fine thing, George, if
some antiquary of long past literatures should find in that
procession none but great names, noble hearts, pure and sacred
friendships,--the glories of this century? May I not show myself
prouder of that certain happiness than of other successes which
are always uncertain? To one who knows you well it must ever be a
great happiness to be allowed to call himself, as I do here,

"Your friend,
"DE BALZAC."



CHAPTER IV

BUSINESS AND SOCIAL FRIENDS


MADAME BECHET--MADAME WERDET

A woman with whom Balzac was to have business dealings early in his