Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 01.pdf/342

Rh mitting that he had found at Paris nothing but obscurity and misery, he wrote to her,  on the contrary, in the most sanguine terms, that everything was succeeding as he desired, and that he was about to found an important institution for public education. The present outlook was so encouraging that he hoped speedily to realize the long-dreamed-of union; he asked her to send to him her little Joseph, and to follow herself as soon as possible.

To determine Marie Anizat to come and share his lot, he had recourse to all the persuasions which he could bring to bear upon her heart. He wrote to her of his love, of the future of her son, and of the happiness of returning some day to their native home to live in ease and luxury. He wrote on the 16th of January:—

Later, on the 29th of February, after having announced that his project of founding an institution was nearly realized, and that he had established himself in one of the most fashionable quarters of the city, he wrote to her:—

These pressing solicitations at last succeeded, and Marie Anizat consented to be separated from her son. She prepared the necessary clothing for him, and after obtaining money from persons for whom she worked, and having placed one hundred francs in a little box which he carried, she confided him to the care of a lady named Lenoir, who was going to Paris to pass a month, and sent him to Éliçabide, as to the most benevolent protector, the most trustworthy guide, and the most generous friend that her son could find.

Leaving Pau on the 11th of March, Joseph Anizat arrived in Paris on the 14th about three or four o'clock in the afternoon. On the 10th Éliçabide had again written to the mother, fearing that she might hesitate to send the boy, and once more urging his coming.

What did he mean to do, and what designs had already been formed in his mind, that he thus deceived the poor mother, that he so insisted upon the coming of her son, whom he could only make a sharer of his misery?

The results answer only too clearly; but let us listen to Éliçabide himself relating, from his childhood to the day of his crime, his thoughts and impressions, to explain his crimes:—