of publicity offend your tender modesty; so, in dedicating this
work to you, I must reserve a name which would, indeed, be its
pride. But, under the shelter of its half-concealment, your superb
hands may bless it, your noble brow may bend and dream over it,
your eyes, full of motherly love, may smile upon it, since you are
here at once present and veiled. Like this pearl of the
ocean-garden, you will dwell on the fine, white, level sand where your
beautiful life expands, hidden by a wave that is transparent only
to certain friendly and reticent eyes. I would gladly have laid at
your feet a work in harmony with your perfections; but as that was
impossible, I knew, for my consolation, that I was gratifying one
of your instincts by offering you something to protect.

"DE BALZAC."[*]

[*] S. de Lovenjoul, _Histoire des Oeuvres de Balzac_, states that the
"Sarah" to whom Balzac dedicated _Beatrix_ is no other than an
Englishwoman, Frances Sarah Lowell, who became the Comtesse Emile
Guidoboni-Visconti. She was born at Hilks, September 29, 1804, and
died at Versailles April 28, 1883.

In sending the corrected proofs of _Beatrix_ to "Madame de V----,"
Balzac writes:

"My dear friend,--Here are the proofs of _Beatrix_: a book for
which you have made me feel an affection, such as I have not felt
for any other book. It has been the ring which has united our
friendship. I never give these things except to those I love, for
they bear witness to my long labors, and to that patience of which
I spoke to you. My nights have been passed over these terrible