Madame,--It is the desire of my wife that you should not learn first
from the formal announcement of an event which has filled us with
joy. Renee has just given birth to a fine boy, whose baptism we are
postponing till your return to Chantepleurs. Renee and I both earnestly
hope that you may then come as far as La Crampade, and will consent to
act as godmother to our firstborn. In this hope, I have had him placed
on the register under the name of Armand-Louis de l'Estorade.
Our dear Renee suffered much, but bore it with angelic patience. You,
who know her, will easily understand that the assurance of bringing
happiness to us all supported her through this trying apprenticeship to
motherhood.
Without indulging in the more or less ludicrous exaggerations to which
the novel sensation of being a father is apt to give rise, I may tell
you that little Armand is a beautiful infant, and you will have no
difficulty in believing it when I add that he has Renee's features and
eyes. So far, at least, this gives proof of intelligence.
The physician and accoucheur assure us that Renee is now quite out of
danger; and as she is proving an admirable nurse--Nature has endowed her
so generously!--my father and I are able to give free rein to our joy.
Madame, may I be allowed to express the hope that this joy, so vivid and
intense, which has brought fresh life into our house, and has changed
the face of existence for my dear wife, may ere long be yours?
Renee has had a suite of rooms prepared, and I only wish I could make
them worthy of our guests. But the cordial friendliness of the reception
which awaits you may perhaps atone for any lack of splendor.
I have heard from Renee, madame, of your kind thought in regard to us,
and I take this opportunity of thanking you for it, the more gladly
because nothing could now be more appropriate. The birth of a grandson
has reconciled my father to sacrifices which bear hardly on an old man.
He has just bought two estates, and La Crampade is now a property with
an annual rental of thirty thousand francs. My father intends asking the
King's permission to form an entailed estate of it; and if you are good
enough to get for him the title of which you spoke in your last letter,
you will have already done much for your godson.
For my part, I shall carry out your suggestions solely with the object
of bringing you and Renee together during the sessions of the Chamber.
I am working hard with the view of becoming what is called a specialist.
But nothing could give me greater encouragement in my labors than the
thought that you will take an interest in my little Armand. Come, then,
we beg of you, and with your beauty and your grace, your playful fancy
and your noble soul, enact the part of good fairy to my son and heir.
You will thus, madame, add undying gratitude to the respectful regard of
Your very humble, obedient servant, LOUIS DE L'ESTORADE.