g that system of patriarchal rule which lies
at the foundation of the whole social structure. Alas! in the case of
the excellent Adrienne, this conseille de famille was easily assembled,
and possessed perfect unanimity. The wars, the guillotine and exile had
reduced it to two, one of which was despotic in her government, so far
as theory was concerned at least; possibly, at times, a little so in
practice. Still Adrienne, on the whole grew up tolerably happy. She was
taught most that is suitable for a gentlewoman, without being crammed
with superfluous accomplishments, and, aided by the good cure, a man
who remembered her grandfather, had both polished and stored her mind.
Her manners were of the excellent tone that distinguished the good
society of Paris before the revolution, being natural, quiet, simple
and considerate. She seldom laughed, I fear; but her smiles were
sweetness and benevolence itself.

{conseille de famille = council of relatives, supervised by a judge,
that supervised the care of minors in France; cure = priest}

The bleaching grounds of our manufactory were in the old park of the
chateau. Thither Mad. de la Rocheaimard was fond of coming in the fine
mornings of June, for many of the roses and lovely Persian lilacs that
once abounded there still remained. I first saw Adrienne in one of
these visits, the quality of our little family circle attracting her
attention. One of the bleachers, indeed, was an old servant of the
vicomte's, and it was a source of pleasure to him to point out any
thing to the ladies that he thought might prove interesting. This was
the man who so diligently read the Moniteur, giving a religious
credence to all it contained. He fancied no hand so worthy to hold
fabrics of such exquisite fineness as that of Mademoiselle Adrienne,
and it was through his assiduity that I had the honor of being first
placed within the gentle pressure of her beautiful little fingers. This
occurred about a month before our departure for Paris.

Adrienne de la Rocheaimard was then just twenty. Her beauty was of a
character that is not common in France; but which, when it does exist,
is nowhere surpassed. She was slight and delicate in person, of fair
hair and complexion, and with the meekest and most dove-like blue eyes
I ever saw in a female face. Her smile, too, was of so winning and
gentle a nature, as to announce a disposition pregnant with all the
affections. Still it was well understood that Adri