knowing the cause of the malady, to give them relief, so that
Madame de Lamotte, although she grew daily weaker, had so much confidence
in him as to think it unnecessary to call in a doctor. Fearing to alarm
her husband, she never mentioned her sufferings, and her letters only
spoke of the care and kind attention which she received.

On the 15th of January, 1777, Edouard was placed in a school in the rue
de l'Homme Arme. His mother never saw him again. She went out once more
to place her husband's power of attorney with a lawyer in the rue de
Paon. On her return she felt so weak and broken-down that she was
obliged to go to bed and remain there for several days. On January 29th
the unfortunate lady had risen, and was sitting near the window which
overlooked the deserted rue des Menetriers, where clouds of snow were
drifting before the wind. Who can guess the sad thoughts which may have
possessed her?--all around dark, cold, and silent, tending to produce
painful depression and involuntary dread. To escape the gloomy ideas
which besieged her, her mind went back to the smiling times of her youth
and marriage. She recalled the time when, alone at Buisson during her
husband's enforced absences, she wandered with her child in the cool and
shaded walks of the park, and sat out in the evening, inhaling the scent
of the flowers, and listening to the murmur of the water, or the sound of
the whispering breeze in the leaves. Then, coming back from these sweet
recollections to reality, she shed tears, and called on her husband and
son. So deep was her reverie that she did not hear the room door open,
did not perceive that darkness had come on. The light of a candle,
dispersing the shadows, made her start; she turned her head, and saw
Derues coming towards her. He smiled, and she made an effort to keep
back the tears which were shining in her eyes, and to appear calm.

"I am afraid I disturb you," he said. "I came to ask a favour, madame."

"What is it, Monsieur Derues?" she inquired.

"Will you allow me to have a large chest brought into this room? I ought
to pack some valuable things in it which are in my charge, and are now in
this cupboard. I am afraid it will be in your way."

"Is it not your own house, and is it not rather I who am in the way and a
cause of trouble? Pray have it brought in, and try to forget that I am
here. You are most kind to me, but I wish I could spare you all this
trouble and that I we