son and property was brought
into court last week, and terminated in favour of Madame d'Albret, who
retains all her fortune, and is rid of a monster. She came to me
yesterday morning, and showed me the letter which you had written to
her, asking me whether I did not correspond with you, and whether I
thought, that after her conduct you could be prevailed upon to return to
her. Of course I could not give any opinion, but I am convinced that if
you only say that you forgive her, that she will write to you and make
the request. I really do not well see how you can do otherwise, after
the letter which you wrote to her, but of course you will decide for
yourself. I trust, mademoiselle, you will favour me with a speedy
answer, as Madame d'Albret is here every day, and is evidently very
impatient,--I am, my dear mademoiselle, yours,

"Emile Paon.

"Nee Merce."

To this letter I sent the following reply by that day's post:--

"My dear Madame Paon,

"That I sincerely forgive Madame d'Albret is true; I do so from my
heart; but although I forgive her, I cannot listen to any proposal to
resume the position I once held. Recollect that she has driven all over
Paris, and accused me among all her friends of ingratitude and slander.
How then, after having been discarded for such conduct, could I again
make my appearance in her company. Either I have done as she has
stated, and if so, am unworthy of her patronage, or I have not done so,
and therefore have been cruelly used: made to feel my dependence in the
bitterest way, having been dismissed and thrown upon the world with loss
of character. Could I ever feel secure or comfortable with her after
such injustice? or could she feel at her ease on again presenting one as
her _protegee_, whom she had so ill-treated? would she not have to blush
every time that she met with any of our former mutual friends and
acquaintances? It would be a series of humiliations to us both. Assure
her of my forgiveness and good-will, and my wishes for her happiness;
but to return to her is impossible. I would rather starve. If she knew
what I have suffered in consequence of her hasty conduct towards me, she
would pity me more than she may do now; but what is done is done. There
is no remedy for it. Adieu, Madame Paon. Many thanks for your kindness
to one so fallen as I am.

"Yours truly and sincerely,

"Valerie."

I wrote the above under great depression of spirits, and it was with a
he