Monsieur de Camors -- Volume 1

ly age and educated by her mother's brother, M. des Rameures. Roland lived very near her Everything brought them together-the wishes of the family, compatibility of fortune, their relations

ne wing of his castle for the exclusive use of the young pair. Roland was continu

from a high scaffolding to the pavement. For several months the unfortunate young man hovered between life and death; but in the paroxysms of fever he never ceased calling for his cousin-his betrothed; and they w

rnestly; then shut himself up with his father. Each wrote a letter, the one to M. des Rameures, the other to Elise. M. des Rameures and his niece were then in Germany. The excitement and fatigue consequent

o leave the country in a few weeks' time and establish themselves at Paris; and added that they

e complied with.

which in fact he seemed to long. One evening they had taken him to the lime-tree terrace at the foot of the garden. He gazed with absent eye on the tints with which the sett

youth, kissed his hand, and, brightening him with the rays of her beautiful eyes, told him she never had love

ppiness which he could not fail to read in her tranquil glance-notwithstanding the birth of a daughter-seemed never to console himself. Even w

t has been brimming over with it all the while. Oh, Elise! how I have suffered when I thought of what I was before-how much more worthy of you! But we shall be reunited, dearest- shall we not?-where I shall be as perfect as you, and where I may tel

her time with her uncle. She busied herself with the greatest solicitude in the education of

eserving universal scorn, Camors could not resist a vague feeling of respect for Madame de Tecle; but it did not entirely eradicate the impure sentiment he was disposed to dedicate to her. Fully determined to make her, if n

he looked remarkably well when he jumped out of his dog-cart the ensuing Monday in front of M. des Rameures's door under the eyes of Madame de Tecle. As the latter gently stroked with her white hand the black and smoking shoulder of the thoroughbred Fitz-Aymon, Camo

ch it disturbs. His calm superiority asserted itself so mildly it was pardoned for its grace. Without a gayety unbecoming his mourning, he nevertheless made such lively sallies and such amusing jokes about

tificial pastures, and artificially of natural pastures; of breeding and of non-breeding cows; of Dishley sh

r; and his manner to women was so caressing, yet so chivalric, as to persuade them, even while pouring out their wine,

evening, and M. des Rameures-whose natural hospitality was somewh

n my word, I am disposed to regard you as perfection-as a paragon of neighbor

answered Camor

p of this sweet art absorb all our faculties-all our time-certainly not. When you take part in our little reunions, which of course you will do, you will find we disdain no pursuit worthy of thinking beings. We pass from music to literature-to science-even to philosophy; but we do this -I pray you to believe-without pedantry and without leaving t

call us the 'Hotel de Rambouillet.' Envy, you know, is a plant that does not flourish in the country; but

ur our sub-prefect is a devotee to the government, as it is his duty to be. Our cure is a little Roman-I am Gallican-'et sic ceteris'. Very well-we all agree wonderfully for two reasons: first, because we are s

n deference to her good taste, her good sense, and her moderation, that each of us avoids that violence and that passion which warps the best intentions. In one word, to speak truly, it is lo

honor and all good faith, as we all are, and as Monsieur de Camo

cy of his host; and they reentered the dining-room to find the circle increased by the arriva

arie seated herself at the piano, and her mother, coming behind her

nged, or deranged, after our own fancy; of which you shall judge. My niece sings, and the curate and I-'Arcades ambo'-re

e Tecle who appeared to Camors the most remarkable of the three virtuosi. The calm repose of her features, and t

d sensation. During the rest of the evening he kept much in the background in order to observe the company, and was much astonished thereby. The tone of this little society, as much removed from vulgar gossip as from affect

ubject to the same charm; and that charm was sovereign. Madame de Tecle, half hidden on her sofa, and seemingly busied with her embroidery, animated all by a glance, softened all

of the music, the conversation touched on the new comedy by Augier; the las

erstition last Thursday, when you were interrupted by that joker who climbed the tree in order to

is discourse, which we shall not here report: profiting by the exam

lass for whom it was intended. M. de Tecle, however, backed by republican Durocher, insisted that the intelligence of the people was unde

ll, for the whole country, for twenty miles around, was ringing with it. This theme excited Camors's attention at once, especially when th

rning, Monsieur Prefect, if you intend imposing on us some Parisian with a flower in his buttonhole, I sh

ame de Tecle, indicati

eve that I do not in any case intend to offend him. I shall also beg him to tolerate the monomania of an o

eur?" said Camors, with his habi

horrence with which it inspires me. You are an educated, sensible young man, and, I trust, a good Frenchman. Very well! Is it right, I ask, that Paris shall every morning

reme centralization of France; but all civilized countries must have their

ence will be turned into that of idiocy, and in place of a man of intellect, you have a hydrocephalus. Pray give heed to what Monsieur the Sub-prefect, may say in answer to what I shall ask him. Now, my dear

"if you continue to refuse the office,

at my age assuredly I shall not expose mysel

obliged to take some stranger- perhaps

ountry, I submit, in which we can find a similar instance so scandalous. For the people of France this shame is reserved exclusively, and it is your Paris that has brought it upon us. Paris, absorbing all the blood, life, tho

it seems to me that I have heard you say this centralization was the work of the Revolution and of the First Co

o me," said Camors, bo

" rejoined M. des

n this matter, for though, as you justly suggest, I have not brought about thi

I like that. One should have his own

think the revolutionary Assembly, and subsequently the First Consul, were happily inspired in imposing a vigorous centralized political administration upon France. I believe, indeed, that it was indispensable at the time, in order to mold an

tly, sir," excl

its day, but that which was a benefit yesterday may it not become an evil to-morrow-a danger? That which is progress to-day, may it not one hundred years hence have become mere routine, and a downright trammel? Is not that the history of the world? And if you wish to know, Monsieur, by what sign we may recognize the fact that a social or political system has attained its

ried away by your subjec

them, and yet the head lost nothing by that. There was then a France, Monsieur. The province had an existence, subordinate doubtless, but real, active, and independent. Each government, each office, each parliamentary centre was a living intellectual focus. The great provincial institutions and local liberties exercised the intellect on all sides, tempered the character, and developed men. And now note well, Durocher! If France had been centralized formerly as to-day, your dear Revolution never would have occurred-do you understand? Never! because there would have been no men to make it. For may I not ask, whence came that pr

ieur!" said the Sub-

ecile gabble engendered the evening before in the mire of the boulevards. I tell you? Monsieur, it is humiliating that all Europe, once jealous of us, should now shrug her shoulders in our faces.- Besides, it is fatal even for Paris, which, permit me to add, drunk with prosperity in its haughty isolation and self-fetishism, not a little resembles the Chinese Empire-a focus of warmed-over, corrupt, and frivolous civilization! As for the future, my dear sir, may God preserve me from despair, since it concerns my country! This age has already seen great things, great marvels, in fact; for I beg you to remember I am by no means an enemy to my time. I approve the Revolution, liberty, equality, the press, railways, and the telegraph; and as I often say to Monsieur le Cure, every cause that would live must accommodate itself cheerfully to the progress of its epoch, and study how to serve itself by it. Every cause that is in antagonism with its age commits suicide. Indeed, Monsieur, I trust this century will see one more great event, the end of this Parisian tyranny, and the resuscitation of provincial life; for I must repeat, my dear sir, that your centralization, which was once an excellent remedy, is a detestable regimen! It is a horrible instrument of oppression and tyranny, ready-made for all hands, suitable for every despotism, and under it France stifles and wastes away. You must agree with me yourself, Durocher; in this sense the Rev

prolonged after he had ceased to speak. This appeared to embarrass him, but taking the arm of Camors he said, with a smile, "'Semel insanivimus omnes.' My dear sir,

g Count, before leaving, found the means of causing Madame de Tecle the most profound astonishment. He asked her, in a low voice, and

s of hers, blushed slightly, and replied that she

ITOR'S B

opinion of peo

itated, made object

ss with discord, l

en is the begi

h the blunt ca

erty outweighe

m imperatively

y. Rarely laugh

in antagonism with i

e best judge of

to Rome-and one a

no prin

r one always feels

r zeal and the acr

t, need not grow

e revolutions

t remedy, is a d

n independent

ations known

without faith in s

who are strong e

omnes.' (every o

common herd, my so

is a feeble human

ore belief in Chri

uties where we onl

und. I shall read

rld one must be a

itics and religion

inking, had not lost

omelette without fir