THE Chevalier des Arcis was a cavalry officer who, having quitted the
service in 1760, while still young, retired to a country house near
Mans. Shortly after, he married the daughter of a retired merchant who
lived in the neighbourhood, and this marriage appeared for a time to be
an exceedingly happy one. Cécile's relatives were worthy folk who,
enriched by means of hard work, were now, in their latter years,
enjoying a continual Sunday. The Chevalier, weary of the artificial
manners of Versailles, entered gladly into their simple pleasures.
Cécile had an excellent uncle, named Giraud, who had been a
master-bricklayer, but had risen by degrees to the position of
architect, and now owned considerable property. The Chevalier's house
(which was named Chardonneux) was much to Giraud's taste, and he was
there a frequent and ever welcome visitor.
By and by a lovely little girl was born to the Chevalier and Cécile, and
great at first was the jubilation of the parents. But a painful shock
was in store for them. They soon made the terrible discovery that their
little Camille was deaf, and, consequently, also dumb!