But the liberal bourgeoisie, the constitutional-royalist-bourgeoisie, the country-squires, the magistracy, and the "church party" laid the blame on Madame du Bousquier.

"She was too old," they said; "Monsieur du Bousquier had married her too late.

Besides, it was very lucky for the poor woman; it was dangerous at her age to bear children!" When Madame du Bousquier confided, weeping, her periodic despair to Mesdames du Coudrai and du Ronceret, those ladies would reply,-- "But you are crazy, my dear; you don't know what you are wishing for; a child would be your death." Many men, whose hopes were fastened on du Bousquier's triumph, sang his praises to their wives, who in turn repeated them to the poor wife in some such speech as this:-- "You are very lucky, dear, to have married such an able man; you'll escape the misery of women whose husbands are men without energy, incapable of managing their property, or bringing up their children." "Your husband is making you queen of the department, my love.

He'll never leave you embarrassed, not he! Why, he leads all Alencon." "But I wish," said the poor wife, "that he gave less time to the public and--" "You are hard to please, my dear Madame du Bousquier.

I assure you that all the women in town envy you your husband." Misjudged by society, which began by blaming her, the pious woman found ample opportunity in her home to display her virtues.