very useful in the Chamber.
The position he has now attained is one in which he can rest upon his
oars till the end of his days. He has a good deal of adroitness in
business matters; and though he can hardly be called an orator, speaks
pleasantly and fluently, which is all that is necessary in politics.
His shrewdness and the extent of his information in all matters of
government and administration are fully appreciated, and all parties
consider him indispensable. I may tell you that he was recently offered
an embassy, but I would not let him accept it. I am tied to Paris by the
education of Armand and Athenais--who are now respectively thirteen and
nearly eleven--and I don't intend leaving till little Rene has completed
his, which is just beginning.

We could not have remained faithful to the elder branch of the dynasty
and returned to our country life without allowing the education and
prospects of the three children to suffer. A mother, my sweet, is hardly
called on to be a Decius, especially at a time when the type is rare. In
fifteen years from now, l'Estorade will be able to retire to La Crampade
on a good pension, having found a place as referendary for Armand in the
Audit Department.

As for Rene, the navy will doubtless make a diplomatist of him.
The little rogue, at seven years old, has all the cunning of an old
Cardinal.

Oh! Louise, I am indeed a happy mother. My children are an endless
source of joy to me.

Senza brama sicura ricchezza.

Armand is a day scholar at Henry IV.'s school. I made up my mind he
should have a public-school training, yet could not reconcile myself to
the thought of parting with him; so I compromised, as the Duc d'Orleans
did before he became--or in order that he might become--Louis Philippe.
Every morning Lucas, the old servant whom you will remember, takes
Armand to school in time for the first lesson, and brings him home again
at half-past four. In the house we have a private tutor, an admirable
scholar, who helps Armand with his work in the evenings, and calls him
in the morning at the school hour. Lucas takes him some lunch during the
play hour at midday. In this way I am with my boy at dinner and until he
goes to bed at night, and I see him off in the morning.

Armand is the same charming little fellow, full of feeling and unselfish
impulse, whom you loved; and his tutor is quite pleased with him. I
still have Nais and the baby--two restless little mortals--but I am
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