Honore,
which belonged to her, although she only occupied a portion of it. Her
husband had now been dead more than ten years, and Madame d'Albret had
not been persuaded by her numerous suitors to marry again. She was
still handsome, about thirty-four years of age, and I hardly need say,
was in the very best society in Paris. Such was the person who came to
the barracks in so unassuming a manner, and whose protection I was so
fortunate as to obtain.

I could dwell long upon the happy days that I passed at the chateau.
There was no want of society, and the _reunions_ were charming; and
being in the country, I was allowed to join them, having been formally
introduced by Madame d'Albret to all her visitors, as her cousin. My
time was fully occupied. Madame d'Albret, perceiving that I had great
talent for music and a fine voice, had procured me good masters, and
wishing to prove my gratitude by attention, I was indefatigable, and
made so rapid a progress, that my masters were surprised. Music and
embroidery, at which I had before mentioned I was very expert, were my
only occupations--and on the latter my talents were exerted to please
Madame d'Albret, by offering her each piece as they were successively
taken from the frame. So far from wishing to return to Paris, I was
unhappy at the idea of leaving the chateau. Indeed, if the reader will
recall what I have narrated of my former life, he will at once perceive
that I could but be in a state of perfect happiness.

Until I was received by Madame d'Albret, I had lived a life of
persecution, and had not known kindness. Fear was the passion which had
been acted upon, and which, I may say, had crushed both mind and body:
now all was kindness and love. Praise, which I had never before
received, was now lavished upon me, and I felt my energies and talents
roused, and developing themselves in a way that astonished myself. I
had not known what I was, or what I was capable of. I had had no
confidence in myself, and I had believed myself to be almost as
incapable as my mother would have persuaded me, and everybody else.
This sudden change of treatment had a most surprising effect. In the
course of a few months I had grown nearly three inches taller, and not
only my figure, but my features, had become so improved, that, although
not vain, it was impossible for me not to believe what every one said,
and what my glass told me, that I was very handsome, and that I should
make