She was being brought up at ------ near Melun, where her father had a château standing in the midst of a magnificent park. One day I went to ------ and wandered for hours, like a thief, about the park bound-aries. At last, through a gap in the trees, I caught sight of Marguerite in the arms of her nurse, who was dressed in black. She was wearing a hat with white plumes and an embroidered pelisse. I cannot say in what respect she differed from any other child, but I thought she was the fairest in the world. It was autumn. The wind that was sighing in the trees was whirling the dead leaves about in little eddies as they floated to earth. Dead leaves covered all the long avenue in which the little white-robed child was being carried up and down. An immense sadness took possession of me. At the edge of a bed of flowers as white as the raiment of Marguerite, an old gardener who was gathering up the fallen leaves saluted his little mistress with a smile and, with his hand on his rake and hat in hand, spoke to her with the gentle gaiety of old men who are not overburdened with their thoughts. But she paid no heed to him. With her little hand like to a star she sought her nurse’s breast. As I hurried away with grief in my heart, the nurse resumed her walk and I heard the sound of the dead leaves sighing sorrowfully beneath her steps. [Illustration: 058] [Illustration: 060] 10th July The President of the Chamber rises and says: “The motion proposed by Messrs. ------ and ------ is now put.” The Prime Minister, without quitting his seat says: “The Government does not assent to the motion.” The President rings his bell and says: “A ballot has been demanded. A ballot will therefore be taken. Those in favour of Messrs. ------ and ------‘s motion must place a white paper in the urn; those who are against it, a blue paper.” There was a great movement in the hall. The deputies poured out in a disorderly mob into the corridors, while the ushers passed the white metal urn along the tiers of seats. The corridors were full of the sound of shuffling feet, and of shouting and gesticulating people. Grave looking young men and excited old ones went passing by. The air was pierced with the sound of voices calling out figures: “Eleven votes.” “No, nine.” “They are being checked.” “Eight against.” “No, not at all; eight for.” “What, the amendment is carried?” “Yes.” “The Government is beaten?” “Yes.” “Ah!” The President’s bell is heard in the corridors. Slowly the hall fills again. The President standing up with a paper in his hand rings his bell for the last time and says: “The following is the result of the ballot on the motion proposed by Messrs. ------ and ------. Number of votes 470; for the motion 239 ; against 231. The motion is carried.”