itter sorrow--this is what
I fear. Nevertheless, I am, at all times and for all things, entirely at
your orders, as indeed my sentiments of esteem and gratitude command.

II. THE COMTESSE DE L'ESTORADE TO MADAME OCTAVE DE CAMPS

Paris, February, 1839.

Dear Madame de Camps,--Of all the proofs of sympathy which the accident
to my dear child has brought me, not one has touched me so much as your
excellent letter.

In reply to your affectionate solicitude I must tell you that in that
terrible moment Nais was marvellously calm and self-possessed. It could
not, I think, be possible to see death nearer; yet neither before nor
after the accident did my valiant little daughter even blench; her whole
behavior showed the utmost resolution, and, thank God! her health has
not suffered for a moment.

As for me, in consequence of such terror, I was seized with convulsive
spasms, and for several days, as I now hear, the doctors were very
uneasy, and even feared for my reason. But thanks to the strength of my
constitution, I am now almost myself again, and nothing would remain of
this cruel agitation if, by a singular fatality, it were not connected
with another unpleasant circumstance which has lately seen fit to fasten
upon my life.

Before receiving from your letter these fresh assurances of your regard,
I had thought of invoking the help of your friendship and advice; and
to-day, when you tell me that it would make you happy and proud to take
the place of my poor Louise de Chaulieu, the precious friend of whom
death has deprived me, can I hesitate for a moment?

I take you at your word, and that delightful cleverness with which you
foiled the fools who commented on your marriage to Monsieur de Camps
[see "Madame Firmiani"], that singular tact with which we saw you steer
your way through circumstances that were full of embarrassment and
danger, in short the wonderful art which enabled you to keep both
your secret and your dignity, I now ask you to put to the service of
assisting me in the dilemma I mentioned just now.

Unfortunately in consulting a physician we naturally want to see him and
tell him our symptoms _viva voce_, and it is here that Monsieur de Camps
with his industrial genius seems to me most aggravating. Thanks to those
villanous iron-works which he has taken it into his head to purchase,
you are almost lost to Paris and to society! Formerly when we had you
here, at hand, in ten minutes talk, without emb