son
to suppose that this failure of his candidate, which he must see is now
inevitable, will bury both him and his marriage. But, at any rate, he is
a clever fellow, who will manage to get his revenge.

What a curious man, madame, this organist is! His name is that of one
of our greatest physicians,--though they are not related to each
other,--Bricheteau. No one ever showed more activity, more presence of
mind, more devotion, more intelligence; and there are not two men in all
Europe who can play the organ as he does. You say you do not want Nais
to be a mere piano _strummer_; then I advise you to let this Bricheteau
teach her. He is a man who would show her what music really is; he will
not give himself airs, for I assure you he is as modest as he is gifted.
To Sallenauve he is like a little terrier; as watchful, as faithful, and
I may add as ugly,--if so good and frank a countenance as his can ever
be thought anything but handsome!

XVII. MARIE-GASTON TO MADAME LA COMTESSE DE L'ESTORADE

Arcis-sur-Aube, May 16, 1839.

Madame,--Last evening the preparatory meeting took place,--a ridiculous
ceremony, very annoying to the candidates, which cannot, however, be
avoided.

Perhaps it is natural that before pledging themselves to a man who is
to represent them for four or five years, voters should want to question
him, and discover, if possible, what he really is. Is he a man of
intelligence? Does he really sustain the ideas put forth about him? Will
he be cordial and affable to the various interests which may claim his
support? Is he firm in character? Can he defend his ideas--if he has
any? In a word, will the constituency be worthily, faithfully, and
honestly represented? That is the serious and respectable aspect of this
institution, which, not being a part of the law, must, in order to be so
firmly fixed in our customs, have a sound reason for its existence.

But every medal has its reverse; as may be seen in these meetings of
candidates with electors puffed up by their own self-importance, eager
to exercise for a moment the sovereignty they are about to delegate to
their deputy, and selling it as dearly as they can to him. Considering
the impertinence of certain questions addressed to a candidate, it would
really seem as if the latter were a serf over whom each elector had
rights of life and death. Not a corner of his private life where the
unhappy man is safe from prying curiosity. All things are possible