It is bad for the vassals and tenants of a noble--even though a newly made one, and on an estate of moderate dimensions--when their lord is absent, and there is none to look after them save an intendant, whose duty it is to collect as much rent as he is able.

Such is the position of my tenants.

I am a soldier, and must perforce be absent.

What I need greatly is someone who will fill my place in this respect.

I have an old friend who is captain of the garrison, and sees to all things in the household; I have an intendant, I believe a worthy young man, who collects my rents and looks to the feeding and needs of the servants and garrison; but I need someone who would interest herself actively in the condition of my tenants, who would be a friend to them in sickness, would give aid from my purse to those who really need it, would send food to the starving, and aid my intendant by advising him as to who are worthy of relief and who are suffering from their own idleness or thriftlessness--who will, in short, act as I would have my wife act had I one.
"Now, madame la baronne if you will honour me by making my home yours so long as I am away at the wars, which may last, for aught I know, for years yet, you will be conferring a great favour upon me.