The things we do!

It was only when she left Madame de Florac that she
used to cry; and when urged by that good lady to exhibit a little
decorous sentiment in writing to her mamma, Antoinette would ask, in her
artless way, "Pourquoi? Mamma used never to speak to me except sometimes
before the world, before ladies, that understands itself. When her
gentleman came, she put me to the door; then she gave me tapes, o oui,
she gave me tapes! I cry no more; she has so much made to cry M. le Duc,
that it is quite enough of one in a family." So Madame la Duchesse d'Ivry
did not weep, even in print, for the loss of her pretty little
Antoinette; besides, she was engaged, at that time, by other sentimental
occupations. A young grazier of their neighbouring town, of an aspiring
mind and remarkable poetic talents, engrossed the Duchesse's platonic
affections at this juncture. When he had sold his beasts at market, he
would ride over and read Rousseau and Schiller with Madame la Duchesse,
who formed him.


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