Page:The Writings of Prosper Merimee-Volume 1.djvu/218

I am sure that you could manage him with your little finger." Madame de Piennes—she was then Élise de Guicard—would perhaps have had courage to attempt the enterprise, for Max was so gay, so witty, so amusing at a house party, so untiring at a ball, that surely he ought to make a good husband; but the parents of Élise were more farseeing. Madame Aubrée herself would not altogether vouch for her nephew; it was ascertained that he had debts and a mistress; suddenly a duel took place over a performer at the Gymnasium. The marriage, which Madame de Piennes had never had very seriously in view, was declared to be impossible. Then M. de Piennes presented himself, a grave and moral man, rich moreover, and of good family. There is little to be said of him, excepting that he had the reputation of a gentleman which he merited. He talked little but when he did open his mouth, it was to say something of importance. Upon doubtful subjects he maintained a discreet silence. If he did not add great charm to assemblies which he frequented, he was nowhere out of place. He was everywhere well enough liked because of his wife, but when he was absent,—upon his estates, as was the case nine months of the year, and notably at the moment when my story begins,—nobody