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 MADAME DE MIRAMION. 419 face, of a noble loveliness, "with a complexion of dazzling purity and eyes of heavenly blue, was set off by a great abundance of nut-brown ringlets, which fell down about her shoulders and neck. But the great charm of her countenance was an expression of mingled love and benevolence, such as usually, though not always, marks the features of those who naturally delight in doing good. Among the young ladies of her time there was none more beautiful than she, and to her charms of face and form was added the attraction of broad estates and fair chateaux, all her own. As she again showed symptoms of discontent with a life of pleasure, even recurring occasionally to the iron chain, her aunt urged her to signify a preference for one of the numerous eligible lovers who had been Bitting round her ever since her entrance into society. One of them, it seems, had attracted her regard. It was M. de Miramion, who, as she had observed at church and else- where, was particularly attentive to his mother, which led her to believe he was a worthy young man, wiio would sympathize with her desire to hold aloof from the frivolous life of her class. He was rich, and of noble rank, well looking, and in love with the beautiful Mad- emoiselle de Rubelle. They were married — he twenty- seven, sated with the pleasures of the world ; she sixteen, superior to them. All went happily for a few months. " I gave up playing cards," she wrote, " and going to balls and theaters, which caused great surprise. I began a regular life ; I won over my husband, and persuaded him to live like a good Christian. We were very much united, and much beloved by our family, with whom we never had any disagreement, except from their efforts to make me amuse myself." This harmonious married life was rudely terminated, at the end of six months, by the death of the husband, after an illness of a week. At seventeen Madame de