KOLB, an Alsatian, served as “man of all work” at the home of the Didots in Paris; had served in the cuirassiers.  Under the Restoration he became “printer’s devil” in the establishment of David Sechard of Angouleme, for whom he showed an untiring devotion, and whose servant, Marion, he married. [Lost Illusions.]

KOLB (Marion), wife of the preceding, with whom she became acquainted while at the home of David Sechard.  She was, at first, in the service of the Angouleme printer, Jerome-Nicholas Sechard, for whom she had less praise than for David.  Marion Kolb was like her husband in her constant, childlike devotion. [Lost Illusions.]

KOUSKI, Polish lancer in the French Royal Guards, lived very unhappily in 1815-16, but enjoyed life better the following year.  At that time he lived at Issoudun in the home of the wealthy Jean-Jacques Rouget, and served the commandant, Maxence Gilet.  The latter became the idol of the grateful Kouski. [A Bachelor’s Establishment.]

KROPOLI (Zena), Montenegrin of Zahara, seduced in 1809 by the French gunner, Auguste Niseron, by whom she had a daughter, Genevieve.  One year later, at Vincennes, France, she died as a result of her confinement.  The necessary marriage papers, which would have rendered valid the situation of Zena Kropoli, arrived a few days after her death. [The Peasantry.]

L

LA BASTIE (Monsieur, Madame and Mademoiselle de). (See Mignon.)

LA BASTIE LA BRIERE (Ernest de), member of a good family of Toulouse, born in 1802; very similar in appearance to Louis XIII.; from 1824 to 1829, private secretary to the minister of finances.  On the advice of Madame d’Espard, and thus being of service to Eleonore de Chaulieu, he became secretary to Melchior de Canalis and, at the same time, referendary of the Cour des Comptes.  He became a chevalier of the Legion of Honor.  In 1829 he conducted for Canalis a love romance by correspondence, the heroine of the affair being Marie-Modeste-Mignon de la Bastie (of Havre).  He played this part so successfully that she fell in love and marriage was agreed upon.  This union, which made him the wealthy Vicomte de la Bastie la Briere, was effected the following February in 1830.  Canalis and the minister of 1824 were witnesses for Ernest de la Briere, who fully deserved his good fortune. [The Government Clerks.  Modeste Mignon.]

LA BASTIE LA BRIERE (Madame Ernest de), wife of the preceding, born Marie-Modeste Mignon about 1809, younger daughter of Charles Mignon de la Bastie and of Bettina Mignon de la Bastie—­born Wallenrod.  In 1829, while living with her family at Havre, with the same love, evoked by a passion for literature, which Bettina Brentano d’Arnim conceived for Goethe, she fell in love with Melchior de Canalis; she wrote frequently to the poet in secret, and he responded through the medium of Ernest de la Briere; thus there sprang up between the young girl and the secretary a mutual love which resulted in marriage.  The witnesses for Marie-Modeste Mignon were the Duc d’Herouville and Doctor Desplein.  As one of the most envied women in Parisian circles, in the time of Louis Philippe, she became the close friend of Mesdames de l’Estorade and Popinot. [Modeste Mignon.  The Member for Arcis.  Cousin Betty.] La Bastie is sometimes written La Batie.