that it was supposed he could not live; but his mother, having no
love but for the eldest child, did not appear to be in the least
troubled by Henri's sickness.

"As soon as Maria heard of her cousin's arrival at Bellemont she
hastened over to see her, though she did not expect to be very kindly
received. Maria, by this time, had two children, the youngest of which
was more than a year old, and a very healthy child. When this kind
woman saw poor little Henri, and found that his parents did not love
him, she begged her cousin to allow her to take the poor infant to her
cottage in the valleys, where she promised to take great care of him,
and to be as a tender mother to him. The Marchioness was glad to be
freed from the charge of the sick child, and Maria was equally glad to
have the poor baby to comfort. Accordingly, she took the little Henri
home with her, and he was brought up amongst her own children.

"When the Marquis and Marchioness had remained a while at the Castle of
Bellemont, they returned with their favourite Theodore to Paris; and
there they delivered themselves up to all the vicious habits of that
dissipated place. The Marchioness never stayed at home a single day,
but spent her whole time in visiting, dancing, and playing at cards,
and going to public gardens, plays, and musical entertainments. She
painted her face, and dressed herself in every kind of rich and vain
ornament, and tried to set herself off for admiration; but she had
little regard for her husband, and never thought of God. She was bold
in her manners, fond of herself, and hardhearted to everybody else. The
only person for whom she seemed to care was her son Theodore; for as
for little Henri, she seemed to have forgotten that she had such a
child; but she delighted in seeing her handsome Theodore well dressed,
and encouraged him to prattle before company, and to show himself off
in public places, even when he was but an infant. She employed the
most famous artists in Paris to draw his picture; she hired
dancing-masters to teach him to carry himself well, and music-masters
to teach him to sing and play; and sometimes, when he was to go out
with her, she herself arranged his glossy hair, in order that he might
look the handsomer. She employed many servants to attend upon him, and
commanded them never to contradict him, but to do everything to please
him. As she continued to lead this life she became every year more and
more bold, and more hard