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550 GEORGE SAND. Dupin, without property, and a somewhat disreputable person, was not cordially welcomed into the family by Madame Dupin. It was natural that she should look upon the marriage as a calamity. Nevertheless, she had the good sense to conceal her feelings, and to forgive an error which was plainly irrevocable, and, although she always heartily disliked her daughter-in-law, she was obliged soon to acknowledge that she was a most efficient and devoted wife, who kept her husband very happy. July 5, 1804, the last year of the Republic and the first of the Empire, a daughter was born to this oddly-assorted couple, who bestowed upon her the name of Amantine- Lucile-Aurore. The infancy of this child was passed in Paris with her mother, her father residing with them whenever his military duties did not require his presence elsewhere. Captain Dupin, however, as aide-de-camp to Prince Murat, was so much away from home that in 1808 his wife, unable to bear a longer separation, went to join him in Madrid. Little Aurore, four years of age, accom- panied her, and was presented to Murat attired for the occa- sion in a miniature copy of her father's uniform, includ- ing spurs, high boots, and tiny sword. The Prince was pleased with the jest, and took a fancy to his little aide- de-camp, as he called her. Captain Dupin, shortly after his return to France, was killed by a fall from his horse. This sad event doomed his little daughter to live for many years in an atmos- phere of discord, the object of continual contention between her plebeian mother and her patrician grand- mother, each of whom claimed her duty and affection. Obedience she rendered to both when their commands, too frequently contradictory, permitted ; but her heart was her mother's. Within the walls of the chateau she passed unhappy hours, for the domestic warfare was to her a constant source of misery; but, once out of doors