United States or Israel ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
"I do not know." I placed in an envelope the papers she had entrusted to me, and I handed them to him to return to his sister. I then went out. When I came home towards three o'clock, the landlady gave me a letter which had been left for me by Mdlle. Vesian, who had left the hotel.
Laperouse had now been many months away from Ile-de-France and the bright eyes of Eleonore. He was extremely fond of his mother, and anxious to meet her wishes. Moreover, he held Madame de Vesian in high esteem, and wrote that he "had always admired her, and felt sure that her daughter resembled her."
I thought that the best plan would be to find some influential lady who would consent to present Mdlle. Vesian to M. d'Argenson, and I knew that in the mean time I could support her. I begged Silvia to mention the matter to Madame de Montconseil, who had very great influence with the secretary of war. She promised to do so, but she wished to be acquainted with the young girl.
Then his mother, full of love for her son and of pride in his achievements, took a hand, and tried to arrange a more suitable match for him. An old friend of the family, Madame de Vesian had a marriageable daughter. She was rich and beautiful, and her lineage was noble. She had never seen Laperouse, and he had never seen her, but that was an insignificant detail in France under the old Regime.
The music remained very beautiful, of course, but my Italian poetry was very poor. In spite of that the generous sovereign sent me a splendid gold snuff-box, and I thus contrived at the same time to please my mother very highly. It was about that time that Mdlle. Vesian arrived in Paris with her brother.
I dressed myself to go out, and while I was at my toilet Vesian came in and told me that he did not like to go into his sister's room because the gentleman who had supped with her had just arrived. "That's a matter of course," I said. "He is rich and very handsome. He wishes to take us himself to Versailles, and promises to procure some employment for me." "I congratulate you. Who is he?"
Baletti answered that he would be happy to do anything, and when he had examined the figure and the general conformation of the young girl he said to her, "I will get Lani to take you for the ballet at the opera." "Then," I said, "you must begin your lessons tomorrow. Mdlle. Vesian stops at my hotel." The young girl, full of wonder at my plan, began to laugh heartily, and said,
These influences swayed him, and he gave way; but, being frank and honest by disposition, insisted that no secret should be made of his affair of the heart with the lady across the sea. He wrote to Madame de Vesian a candid letter, in which he said:
"Truly, my dear Vesian, never has a philosopher described sympathy better than you have just done. How happy I feel! How is it that I wish to prove it by kissing you?" "No doubt because, to be happy, the soul must agree with the senses." "Indeed, my divine Vesian? Your intelligence is charming." "It is your work, dear friend; and I am so grateful to you that I share your desires."
Do not relate your history to anyone, and do not say one word about your position. You had better remain at this hotel. Here are two Louis which I will lend you until you are in a position to return them to me." She accepted, expressing her heart-felt gratitude. Mademoiselle Vesian was an interesting brunette of sixteen.
Word Of The Day