own
the depths of love in my noble, kingly Macumer. Rome is the city of
love; it is there that passion should celebrate its feast, with art and
religion as confederates.

At Venice we shall find the Duc and Duchesse de Soria. If you write,
address now to Paris, for we shall leave Rome in three days. The
ambassador's was a farewell party.

P. S.--Dear, silly child, your letter only shows that you knew nothing
of love, except theoretically. Learn then that love is a quickening
force which may produce fruits so diverse that no theory can embrace or
co-ordinate them. A word this for my little Professor with her armor of
stays.

XL. 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. The Comte de Maucombe
is fishing for the title of Marquis for himself; but keep your good
services for me, please. When Louis is a deputy--next winter that is--we
shall come to Paris, and then we will move heaven and earth to get
some Government appointment for him, so that we may be able to save our
income by living on his salary. My father sits between the centre and
the right; a title will content him. Our family was distinguished
even in the days of King Re