Page:The life and writings of Alexandre Dumas (1802-1870) (IA lifewritingsofal00spurrich).pdf/219

 1835. As this was Dumas's first book, and is now a great rarity, we may give it a little attention.

"The first of these stories," he tells us, "was entitled 'Laurette,' the second 'Blanche de Beaulieu,' and the name of the third I have utterly forgotten. 'Blanche de Beaulieu' I afterwards utilised in writing 'La Rose Rouge,' and the third (the one of which I cannot remember the name), I subsequently reconstructed into 'Le Cocher de Cabriolet. We may add that the third story was named "Marie," and that the book was dedicated to the author's mother in "Homage—love—gratitude." Of the four (or six) copies sold, one is now in the possession of Robert Garnett, Esq., and the title-page is here reproduced with his permission.

Of the three (later the five) stories, "Blanche de Beaulieu" was the most striking. It is noteworthy that in this sombre but powerful little story General Dumas, the author's father, appears, though in its first form he was alluded to without being named. "Le Cocher de Cabriolet" (afterwards destined to form the basis of the author's drama of "Angèle"), is a pretty story, of a kind differing strongly from the terrible poignancy of its companion, "Un bal masqué," which is in the true "Antony" vein. This last, indeed, is the