"And yet his conduct was a practical example of the most splendid
application of the principles of Christianity, it was the spirit without
the letter. Neither did I ever hear between him and l'Ange Marie any
religious conversation whatever, although their child was piously reared
by its mother in our faith. Though I have frequently seen the count's
eye moistened with tears when the woman he loved would join the hands of
this little angel and make it repeat its prayer to God, I think his
emotion was caused more by the sight of the beautiful face of the child,
and the innocent accents of its voice, than by any devotional words it
may have uttered.
"The lady had received a solid and varied education. She had a
remarkable mind, and, above all, an ineffable indulgence which reached
all classes.
"If the count, whose speech was sometimes biting or sarcastic, attacked
some person or event, contemporaneous or historical, she would always
try to discover in the vilest soul, or the saddest event, some kindly
feeling, some generous instinct, which might serve as an excuse. Then
tears would come into my eyes as I fancied it must be self-reproach, an
unceasing remorse, which rendered this poor woman so forgiving to every
one, as though, feeling her own guiltiness, it was not for her to raise
her voice in accusation of whomsoever it might be.
"And the count, monsieur, if you could have seen with what profound and
respectful tenderness he addressed her! How he would listen to her! With
what delicate pride he knew how to appreciate and draw out all that was
great and noble in the mind and heart of the one he loved so well! How
his face would beam, at the sight of her! Many a time I have seen him
thus silently gaze on her, and then, as though words failed him to
express his admiration, he would join his hands and raise his eyes to
heaven, with a look of indescribable happiness.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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