also the Countess Marie d'Agoult, but she never would have inspired
such a dedication.

Still another "Marie" with whom he was most intimate about 1839, is
Madame Helene-Marie-Felicite de Valette, and it will be remembered
that while she was usually called "Helene," "Marie" was Balzac's
favorite name for her. But it is doubtful that he knew her when he
wrote the book.

Yet Balzac's love was so fleeting that if he had had this "Maria" in
mind in 1833 when he wrote _Eugenie_, he probably would have long
since forgotten her by the time the dedication was made. It is a well
known fact that Balzac dedicated many of his earlier books to friends
that he did not meet until years later, and many dedications were not
added until 1842.


"To Helene:

"The tiniest boat is not launched upon the sea without the
protection of some living emblem or revered name, placed upon it
by the mariners. In accordance with this time-honored custom,
Madame, I pray you to be the protectress of this work now launched
upon our literary ocean; and may the imperial name which the
Church has canonized and your devotion has doubly sanctified for
me guard it from peril.
"DE BALZAC."

The identity of the enchantress who inspired this beautiful dedication
of _Le Cure de Village_ has been the subject of much speculation for