Oh!  Louise, change yet, while there is still time.  If you would only adopt the same course with Macumer that I have done with l’Estorade, you might rouse the sleeping lion in your husband, who is made of the stuff of heroes.  One might almost say that you grudge him his greatness.  Would you feel no pride in using your power for other ends than your own gratification, in awakening the genius of a gifted man, as I in raising to a higher level one of merely common parts?

Had you remained with us, I should still have written this letter, for in talking you might have cut me short or got the better of me with your sharp tongue.  But I know that you will read this thoughtfully and weigh my warnings.  Dear heart, you have everything in life to make you happy, do not spoil your chances; return to Paris, I entreat you, as soon as Macumer comes back.  The engrossing claims of society, of which I complained, are necessary for both of you; otherwise you would spend your life in mutual self-absorption.  A married woman ought not to be too lavish of herself.  The mother of a family, who never gives her household an opportunity of missing her, runs the risk of palling on them.  If I have several children, as I trust for my own sake I may, I assure you I shall make a point of reserving to myself certain hours which shall be held sacred; even to one’s children one’s presence should not be a matter of daily bread.

Farewell, my dear jealous soul!  Do you know that many women would be highly flattered at having roused this passing pang in you?  Alas!  I can only mourn, for what is not mother in me is your dear friend.  A thousand loves.  Make what excuse you will for leaving; if you are not sure of Macumer, I am of Louis.

XXXVII

THE BARONNE DE MACUMER TO THE VICOMTESSE DE L’ESTORADE
Genoa.

My beloved beauty,—­I was bitten with the fancy to see something of Italy, and I am delighted at having carried off Macumer, whose plans in regard to Sardinia are postponed.

This country is simple ravishing.  The churches—­above all, the chapels —­have a seductive, bewitching air, which must make every female Protestant yearn after Catholicism.  Macumer has been received with acclamation, and they are all delighted to have made an Italian of so distinguished a man.  Felipe could have the Sardinian embassy at Paris if I cared about it, for I am made much of at court.

If you write, address your letters to Florence.  I have not time now to go into any details, but I will tell you the story of our travels whenever you come to Paris.  We only remain here a week, and then go on to Florence, taking Leghorn on the way.  We shall stay a month in Tuscany and a month at Naples, so as to reach Rome in November.  Thence we return home by Venice, where we shall spend the first fortnight of December, and arrive in Paris, via Milan and Turin, for January.

Our journey is a perfect honeymoon; the sight of new places gives fresh life to our passion.  Macumer did not know Italy at all, and we have begun with that splendid Cornice road, which might be the work of fairy architects.