ere without
intention."

If du Bousquier had a journey to take, she was anxious about his
trunk, his linen; she took the most minute precautions for his material
benefit. If he went to Prebaudet, she consulted the barometer the
evening before to know if the weather would be fine. She watched for
his will in his eyes, like a dog which hears and sees its master while
sleeping. When the stout du Bousquier, touched by this scrupulous love,
would take her round the waist and kiss her forehead, saying, "What a
good woman you are!" tears of pleasure would come into the eyes of the
poor creature. It is probably that du Bousquier felt himself obliged
to make certain concessions which obtained for him the respect
of Rose-Marie-Victoire; for Catholic virtue does not require a
dissimulation as complete as that of Madame du Bousquier. Often the
good saint sat mutely by and listened to the hatred of men who concealed
themselves under the cloak of constitutional royalists. She shuddered
as she foresaw the ruin of the Church. Occasionally she risked a stupid
word, an observation which du Bousquier cut short with a glance.

The worries of such an existence ended by stupefying Madame du
Bousquier, who found it easier and also more dignified to concentrate
her intelligence on her own thoughts and resign herself to lead a life
that was purely animal. She then adopted the submission of a slave, and
regarded it as a meritorious deed to accept the degradation in which her
husband placed her. The fulfilment of his will never once caused her to
murmur. The timid sheep went henceforth in the way the shepherd led her;
she gave herself up to the severest religious practices, and thought no
more of Satan and his works and vanities. Thus she presented to the
eyes of the world a union of all Christian virtues; and du Bousquier
was certainly one of the luckiest men in the kingdom of France and of
Navarre.

"She will be a simpleton to her last breath," said the former collector,
who, however, dined with her twice a week.

This history would be strangely incomplete if no mention were made of
the coincidence of the Chevalier de Valois's death occurring at the same
time as that of Suzanne's mother. The chevalier died with the monarchy,
in August, 1830. He had joined the cortege of Charles X. at Nonancourt,
and piously escorted it to Cherbourg with the Troisvilles, Casterans,
d'Esgrignons, Verneuils, etc. The old gentleman had taken with him fifty
tho