A new era of prosperity, though of quite a different kind from the luxury, excitement, and splendour of her earlier life, now began for Mme. de Genlis. She opened a salon which was soon the resort of most of the interesting and influential people of the day. In the society of the Consulate and Empire [457] her early opinions and proceedings were not thought about, and her literary reputation was now great; and besides countless new acquaintances many of her old friends were delighted to welcome her again.
Je la voyais toujours pare.It had been remarked that at the moment of the birth of this most unfortunate of princes, the crown which was an ornament on the Queens bed fell to the ground, which superstitious persons looked upon as a bad omen.Then she knew that the worst had happened, and with a terrible cry she threw herself into her fathers [244] arms, and with tears and sobs wished she had been in the place of her sister.To the peasant girl declared to be the most virtuous and obedient to her parents.Mme. de Genlis had before pointed out to him this danger, but he was very anxious to be with his sister, the only one of his nearest relations left to him, and she did not like to press the matter. But he soon saw that they must separate. The magistrates at Zug behaved very well, saying that the little family gave no reason for complaint, on the contrary were kind to the poor, harmless and popular.It was decided that the three sisters should meet at Viane, where Pauline and her husband went, with post-horses provided by Mme. de Tess. It was eight years since Pauline and Rosalie had met, and Pauline said it was a foretaste of Heaven.