First Part Chapter 40

THE COMTESSE DE L'ESTORADE TO THE BARONNE DE MACUMER
January 1827.

My father has been elected to the Chamber, my father-in-law is dead,
and I am on the point of my second confinement; these are the chief
events marking the end of the year for us. I mention them at once,
lest the sight of the black seal should frighten you.

My dear, your letter from Rome made my flesh creep. You are nothing
but a pair of children. Felipe is either a dissembling diplomat or
else his love for you is the love a man might have for a courtesan, on
whom he squanders his all, knowing all the time that she is false to
him.

Enough of this. You say I rave, so I had better hold my tongue.
Only this would I say, from the comparison of our two very different
destinies I draw this harsh moral--Love not if you would be loved.

My dear, when Louis was elected to the provincial Council, he received
the cross of the Legion of Honor. That is now nearly three years ago;
and as my father--whom you will no doubt see in Paris during the
course of the session--has asked the rank of Officer of the Legion for
his son-in-law, I want to know if you will do me the kindness to take
in hand the bigwig, whoever he may be, to whom this patronage belongs,
and to keep an eye upon the little affair. But, whatever you do, don't
get entangled in the concerns of my honored father.