Letters of Two Brides

He kissed me on the forehead and went out. I cannot understand the

relinquishment of this plan after nine years' persistence in it. My

father's frankness is what I like. There is no ambiguity about his

words. My money ought to belong to his Marquis son. Who, then, has had

bowels of mercy? My mother? My father?

Or could it be my brother? I remained sitting on my grandmother's sofa, staring at the purse

which my father had left on the mantelpiece, at once pleased and vexed

that I could not withdraw my mind from the money. It is true, further

speculation was useless. My doubts had been cleared up and there was

something fine in the way my pride was spared.

Philippe has spent the morning rushing about among the various shops

and workpeople who are to undertake the task of my metamorphosis. A

famous dressmaker, by name Victorine, has come, as well as a woman for

underclothing, and a shoemaker. I am as impatient as a child to know

what I shall be like when I emerge from the sack which constituted the

conventual uniform; but all these tradespeople take a long time; the

corset-maker requires a whole week if my figure is not to be spoilt.

You see, I have a figure, dear; this becomes serious. Janssen, the

Operatic shoemaker, solemnly assures me that I have my mother's foot.

The whole morning has gone in these weighty occupations. Even a

glovemaker has come to take the measure of my hand. The underclothing

woman has got my orders.

At the meal which I call dinner, and the others lunch, my mother told

me that we were going together to the milliner's to see some hats, so

that my taste should be formed, and I might be in a position to order

my own. This burst of independence dazzles me. I am like a blind man who has

just recovered his sight. Now I begin to understand the vast interval

which separates a Carmelite sister from a girl in society. Of

ourselves we could never have conceived it.

During this lunch my father seemed absent-minded, and we left him to

his thoughts; he is deep in the King's confidence. I was entirely

forgotten; but, from what I have seen, I have no doubt he will

remember me when he has need of me. He is a very attractive man in

spite of his fifty years. His figure is youthful; he is well made,

fair, and extremely graceful in his movements. He has a diplomatic

face, at once dumb and expressive; his nose is long and slender, and

he has brown eyes. What a handsome pair!