So it becomes the part of wisdom to waive these mundane riddles, and
to consider instead the justice of Coignard's fine epitaph, wherein
we read that "living without worldly honors, he earned for himself
eternal glory." The statement may (with St. Peter keeping the gate)
have been challenged in paradise, but in literature at all events
the unhonored life of Jerome Coignard has clothed him with glory of
tolerably longeval looking texture. It is true that this might also
be said of Iago and Tartuffe, but then we have Balzac's word for it
that merely to be celebrated is not enough. Rather is the highest
human desideratum twofold,--_D'etre celebre et d'etre aime_.
And that much Coignard promises to be for a long while.

James Branch Cabell

Dumbarton Grange,
July, 1921,




THE QUEEN PEDAUQUE




CHAPTER I

Why I recount the singular Occurrences of my Life