that she pronounced her sentences with too little
tenderness, without granting any appeal. She was good, charitable, but
lacked unction, and she had no sympathy with the illusions of others. A
German poet, in making his New-Year offerings, wishes that the rich may
be kind-hearted, that the poor may have bread, that the ladies may have
pretty dresses, that the men may have patience, that the foolish may get
a little reason, and that sensible people may grow poetic. Mme. de Lorcy
was kind-hearted, she had pretty dresses and a great deal of reason;
but her reason was wanting in poetry, and poetic people to whom she gave
advice required a good deal of patience to listen to the end. Those who
permitted themselves to despise her counsel, and who were happy after
their own fashion, incurred her lasting displeasure. She obstinately
asserted to them that their seeming happiness was all a deceit; that
they had fastened a stone about their necks; and that, without appearing
to do so, at the bottom of their hearts they bitterly repented. She
added, "It is not my fault; I told you, but you would not believe me."

Mme. de Lorcy had an almost maternal affection for her nephew, M.
Camille Langis. Confident that he could not be otherwise than successful
in a love-affair, she promised him that he should marry Mlle. Moriaz. To
be sure, he was rather young; but she had decided that the question of
age made no difference, and that in all else there was a perfect fitness
between the parties. M. Langis hesitated a long time about declaring
himself. He said to Mme. de Lorcy: "If she refuse me, I shall no
longer be able to see her; and so long as I can see her, I am only
half-wretched." It was Mme. de Lorcy who forced him to draw his sword
and open the campaign, in which she was to act as second. This campaign
had not been a successful one. Deeply wounded at the refusal, which she
had in vain attempted to prevent, she was ready to force Mlle. Moriaz
into compliance. They made her believe, to pacify her, that the sentence
was not definite, or at least that a period of grace would be granted to
the condemned. M. Langis set out for Hungary, and he had now returned.
In the mean time, Antoinette had refused two offers. Mme. de Lorcy had
inferred this to be a favourable omen for her projects. Thus she felt
annoyance mingled with anger on receiving the following letter from M.
Moriaz:

"DEAR MADAME:

"You will be charmed to learn that I am extremel