First Part Chapter 41

THE BARONNE DE MACUMER TO THE VICOMTESSE DE L'ESTORADE
Paris.

Poor sweet,--Macumer and I forgave you all your naughtiness when we
heard of your terrible trouble. I thrilled with pain as I read the
details of the double agony, and there seem compensations now in being
childless.

I am writing at once to tell you that Louis has been promoted. He can
now wear the ribbon of an officer of the Legion. You are a lucky
woman, Renee, and you will probably have a little girl, since that
used to be your wish!

The marriage of my brother with Mlle. de Mortsauf was celebrated on
our return. Our gracious King, who really is extraordinarily kind, has
given my brother the reversion of the post of first gentleman of the
chamber, which his father-in-law now fills, on the one condition that
the scutcheon of the Mortsaufs should be placed side by side with that
of the Lenoncourts. "The office ought to go with the title," he said to the Duc de
Lenoncourt-Givry.

My father is justified a hundred-fold. Without the help of my fortune
nothing of all this could have taken place. My father and mother came
from Madrid for the wedding, and return there, after the reception
which I give to-morrow for the bride and bridegroom.

The carnival will be a very gay one. The Duc and Duchesse de Soria are
in Paris, and their presence makes me a little uneasy. Marie Heredia
is certainly one of the most beautiful women in Europe, and I don't
like the way Felipe looks at her. Therefore I am doubly lavish of
sweetness and caresses. Every look and gesture speak the words which I
am careful my lips should not utter, "She could not love like this!"
Heaven knows how lovely and fascinating I am! Yesterday Mme. de
Maufrigneuse said to me: "Dear child, who can compete with you?"