Poor sweet,--Macumer and I forgave you all your naughtiness when we
heard of your terrible trouble. I thrilled with pain as I read the
details of the double agony, and there seem compensations now in being
childless.
I am writing at once to tell you that Louis has been promoted. He can
now wear the ribbon of an officer of the Legion. You are a lucky woman,
Renee, and you will probably have a little girl, since that used to be
your wish!
The marriage of my brother with Mlle. de Mortsauf was celebrated on our
return. Our gracious King, who really is extraordinarily kind, has given
my brother the reversion of the post of first gentleman of the chamber,
which his father-in-law now fills, on the one condition that the
scutcheon of the Mortsaufs should be placed side by side with that of
the Lenoncourts.
"The office ought to go with the title," he said to the Duc de
Lenoncourt-Givry.
My father is justified a hundred-fold. Without the help of my fortune
nothing of all this could have taken place. My father and mother came
from Madrid for the wedding, and return there, after the reception which
I give to-morrow for the bride and bridegroom.
The carnival will be a very gay one. The Duc and Duchesse de Soria are
in Paris, and their presence makes me a little uneasy. Marie Heredia is
certainly one of the most beautiful women in Europe, and I don't like
the way Felipe looks at her. Therefore I am doubly lavish of sweetness
and caresses. Every look and gesture speak the words which I am careful
my lips should not utter, "_She_ could not love like this!" Heaven knows
how lovely and fascinating I am! Yesterday Mme. de Maufrigneuse said to
me:
"Dear child, who can compete with you?"
Then I keep Felipe so well amused, that his sister-in-law must seem as
lively as a Spanish cow in comparison. I am the less sorry that a little
Abencerrage is not on his way, because the Duchess will no doubt stay in
Paris over her confinement, and she won't be a beauty any longer. If
the baby is a boy, it will be called Felipe, in honor of the exile.
An unkind chance has decreed that I shall, a second time, serve as
godmother.
Good-bye, dear, I shall go to Chantepleurs early this year, for our
Italian tour was shockingly expensive. I shall leave about the end
of March, and retire to economize in Nivenais. Besides, I am tired of
Paris. Felipe sighs, as I do, after the beautiful quiet of the park, our
cool meadows, and our Loire, with its sparkling sands, peerless among
rivers. Chantepleurs will seem delightful to me after the pomps and
vanities of Italy; for, after all, splendor becomes wearisome, and a
lover's glance has more beauty than a _capo d'opera_ or a _bel quadro_!
We shall expect you there. Don't be afraid that I shall be jealous
again. You are free to take what soundings you please in Macumer's
heart, and fish up all the interjections and doubts you can. I am
supremely indifferent. Since that day at Rome Felipe's love for me has
grown. He told me yesterday (he is looking over my shoulder now) that
his sister-in-law, the Princess Heredia, his destined bride of old,
the dream of his youth, had no brains. Oh! my dear, I am worse than a
ballet-dancer! If you knew what joy that slighting remark gave me! I
have pointed out to Felipe that she does not speak French correctly. She
says _esemple_ for _exemple_, _sain_ for _cinq_, _cheu_ for _je_. She is
beautiful of course, but quite without charm or the slightest scintilla
of wit. When a compliment is paid her, she looks at you as though she
didn't know what to do with such a strange thing. Felipe, being what he
is, could not have lived two months with Marie after his marriage.
Don Fernand, the Duc de Soria, suits her very well. He has generous
instincts, but it's easy to see he has been a spoilt child. I am tempted
to be naughty and make you laugh; but I won't draw the long bow. Ever so
much love, darling.