Dearest Madame Bonnet

[Madame Heloise D'Armagnac]

Madame,

I was moved to tears by your kindest note. Thank you so much for even considering me as your replacement at the Academy. Your recognition of my efforts this year to lift what burden I might from your shoulders affected me greatly. To even have my efforts noticed by a woman of your stature is a manifestation of grace in my life. Thank you so.

I have learned from my grandmother as well as from my father confessor the great value of practicing spiritual discernment. I have spent a great deal of time in chapel in the evenings after teaching at the academy since our conversation. I have prayed and prayed and I have come to believe that your suggestion may in fact be right. The Holy Spirit graced me with the briefest of marriages to my wonderful late husband, and now, perhaps is calling me again to serve the women of Paris.

I, perhaps alone of anyone at Madame Duschene's, see the heart breaking work you have put in keeping the Academy together. Your hand is on every action and outcome at the Academy. You should be proud of your time there. There is no shame in recognizing that family and especially children take priority over a woman's other works. Unlike you, I have not been blessed with children. My strong constitution helps me administer both the theatre and the Hostel already. I believe your suggestion that I apply for your position as Principal of the Academy may be the call of the Holy Spirit.

I plan to apply, with your support of course, as you suggest. I must admit that I remain in awe of Her Majesty the Queen and feel somewhat daunted to apply. I fear no one but you would but in a word for my application. I do fear that another applicant would not follow your example and your approaches at the Academy, to the detriment of the institution. How shall I go about preserving the legacy of your good work?

Your servant

Mme. H. D'Armagnac

Matron of the Hostel

Directrix of the Johi Theatre

[Monique Adelina De'Ath]

Cher Heloise,

Darling, hello to you. Allow me to introduce myself, Monique Adelina De'Ath, my cousin, Bastian, was a close friend of yours I belive?

Anyway, introductions over, I'm sure we two ladies can be really good friends, help each other through the maelstrom of men that are out there and seeking marital bliss with the love of their life! Like you, I was previously married and it was a heavy heart that I was forced to accept the untimely demise of my late husband Pierre. He was a good man, a hard working man, a man who was looking to better himself in this world and it was that dream that took him to writing to cousin Bastian about whether he could find suitable employment for him in Paris. Sadly, things didn't get off to a good start from Pierre, who, I'm led to believe, made some foolish comment about government corruption, a traitorous madman being allowed to be Commissioner of Public Safety and someone ought to tell the King...words to that effect.....shortly afterwards he tragically fell from the top of the Bastille while awaiting an audience with my cousin to divulge whatever information he had!

Still, I'm over that now, water under the old bridge as I believe the English call it, so it's time to move on and weigh up the best available catches currently in Paris. Have you got your eyes on anyone in particular sweetie? I was thinking about that Lord de Bearne fellow, I hear he's a tad dull, a bit of a stickler for the rules and government stuff, BUT he's allegedly loaded with livres and has a background of tragedy when it comes to love, dead wife, mistress run off with His Majesty etc, so I reckon he's looking quite vulnerable!

Lord Bougiedure would be a great conquest but he's married now, mind you we could look at digging up some dirt on his wife, she's bound to have a skeleton or two in the wardrobe?

Of the rest, well we can discard the priests, all 3 of them, although it's a shame as I've heard that Father Souris is hiding more than just a bible under his cassock!

Rumour has it the Brunet guy left town many months ago and his home is boarded up so looks like he's out of the picture too.

Now, Lord Balls....I think the name says it all, gorgeous man, talented, successful, rich, going places....wow.....major stumbling block, that Johi wife of his! Gosh, I heard she came up from the common folk but has sure made it good time. Can't think of a way ahead with this one yet, but give it time.

Then we have your two military types, Buisson and Fabrezan. To be honest I don't know much about either of them, quiet types I guess, but they're really in the dregs of the market, almost desperation stuff, you're 8th glass of champagne and who can I get to take me home suckers. Mind you, you never know, I hear Buisson grabbed himself a hoarde of livres this month and a couple of mentions so he might be one to watch.

Lastly, and I do mean lastly, we have Cadieux, personally I think he might be more fond of your Andre's rather than your Angelina's but, who knows? Either way he's just some penniless budding artist so not worth our time darling.

What say you we meet up this coming month, are you going to Lord Bougiedure's Ball? If so, we can meet there or maybe you would prefer another week, do let me know?

Best wishes,

Monique Adelina De'Ath
A lady of class and refinement.

[Madame Heloise D'Armagnac]

Madame Monique

Thank you for your kind letter. I do plan to go to Grand Duc Bougiedure's ball and, please God, we will have the chance to meet there. You are correct in assuming that your cousin and I are or perhaps were friends. He has always marched to the beat of a different drum and now it appears his path has taken him out of the kingdom. I pray for him daily, though I haven't been in touch with him for sometime. I am quite engaged in my work as Matron of the Hostel of the Magdalenes taking care of some poor girls who have drawn difficult lots in life. I also run the Johi Theatre and count Lord Balls as one of my genuine friends. I have been teaching Etiquette and Dance at Madame Duschene's Academy and supporting Madame Bonnett in administering the institution. I say all this by way of introduction of me.

I am so sorry to learn of the loss of your husband. I too am a widow, though my late husband was with me barely a year. He was much older and wiser than I and I do miss his guidance. In the place of a man's help, I have found it challenging to live as a widow alone. I can understand how one might be eager for the guidance of a male mind, but I have learned two important things in my widowhood that, if you permit, I would share with you. First that purpose and work can serve as a kind of guidance all on their own. I am grateful for the opportunities I have found to serve the people of Paris. That work has been a gift from Above.

I would also remind you that spiritual matters can focus the mind and soul even more than obedience to a husband. I am sure that like most women, you miss the comfort of a husband's presence. But also like most women, you may feel some relief at no longer needing to address the carnal side of marriage. Chaste widowhood requires adjustment, but it has many advantages. I pray you come to see them and the spiritual advantages that they bestow.

I look forward to meeting you at the ball.

Yours

Mme. H. D'Armagnac
Matron of the Hostel
Directorix of the Johi Theatre