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Post by gaston on Oct 15, 2019 8:14:39 GMT
Madame Helen Bacque, to Father Francois Robin, Curate of St.Quentin Greetings!
Father Francois,
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the generous loan of 200 livres. As a result of this I was able to purchase a small house on the North East corner of the junction of the Rue de Coq and the Rue de la Tissanderie in the Quartier de la Mortellerie. This is most convenient regards my employment (Madame la Vicomtesse has a small mansion on the Rue de la Verrerye between the Rue des Mauvais Garcons and the Rue du Coq) and very near the church of St. Gervais (where I believe you will now be holding services when in Paris ?). Naturally, my door will always be open to you - I can never thank you enough for providing me the means of establishing myself as a gentlewoman at last.
Have you given any further thought to possible candidates for the housekeeper and footman posts I now need to fill? (Actually, all being well I should soon have need of a groom too. Even a reformed horse thief would be acceptable provided he was sincere in giving up his evil ways to provide loyal service).
I have been looking at my accounts and expect to be in a position to start paying you back in October - if not slightly before. Unfortunately, this will be contingent upon my finding a further 200 livres in July. (Fortunately, this should be last loan - or gift - I need to solicit and sufficient to allow me to find a suitable husband).
I am seeking a number of alternative means of securing the needed 200 livres when the time comes but, if the worst comes to the worst and I am unsuccessful, could you see your way to providing this final loan yourself ?
Until my next confession I remain,
Yours Respectfully in Christ,
Helen
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Post by gaston on Oct 15, 2019 10:19:10 GMT
Madame Helen Bacque to Captain Daniel Dompteur, OC D Company, 13th Fusileers Greetings !
Captain Dompteur,
Thank you once again for your kind invitation to Hunters in May. It was the first time I had entered the club's hallowed portals and I enjoyed myself immensely. I had intended to forego alcohol - but now you know how weak-willed I am ! (Thank you for taking care of the drinks bill).
Have you any news regarding the remembrance arrangements for your late club member Captain Piquet ? I don't think poor Major Lagarde de Bearne has the wherewithal to take care of them - he doesn't appear to have had much luck at the front where loot is concerned. Perhaps the members of Hunters could 'club together' to pay for a Canon to conduct the remembrance service and provide the drinks for a wake ? If I knew who was going to be responsible for the enterprise I'd be happy to donate 10 livres to 'the cause' myself.*
Congratulations again upon your new commission in the 13th Fusileers. Since the Second Brigade has been chosen for the Summer Campaign I suppose this means that you will be away from Paris for the next few months ?
Good luck at the front - and may God grant you a safe return.
Helen Bacque
*[OOC 10 livres = 2 x Helen's SL : enough to cover her drinks and contribute 5 livres towards the engagement of the Canon]
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Post by gaston on Nov 5, 2019 14:49:42 GMT
I've been told privately by Curate Francois Robin that he will be delivering a Sermon in the second week of July. I will be attending Church to hear it.
Should any gentleman wish to escort me to this event I would welcome the company.
Madame Helen Bacque
[OOC: A gentleman accompanying Helen to Church in week 2 will be considered to have fulfilled his Female Companionship requirement, without going to the expense of a trip to the Lady's Slipper / bawdy house or risking an expensive rejection at the hand of another mistress. Helen would appreciate having her donation to the collection plate taken care of, however...]
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Post by gaston on Nov 11, 2019 7:45:09 GMT
Docteur Spaghetti,
Thank you for a most pleasant meeting at Blue Gables this month. Both I - and I'm sure Curate Robin - enjoyed the pleasure of your company immensely. Should you be planning any similar gatherings in the future, invitations to such would be accepted with pleasure by
Madame Helen Bacque
P.S. I shall be attending Curate Robin's sermon again in August and, once more, find myself without an escort. Should you wish to accompany me it seems only polite to offer you first refusal.
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Post by gaston on Nov 19, 2019 11:35:44 GMT
Madame Helen Bacque, to Captain Renald De La Azur, OC D Troop, Dragoon Guards, Greetings!
Mon Cher Renald,
Thank you for your invitation to the remembrance service and wake at the end of September and your kind offer to escort me to both events.
I accept with pleasure,
Helen
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Post by gaston on Dec 14, 2019 9:54:56 GMT
To Monsieur et Madame Fournier, The Fournier Estate, Garges
Dear Uncle Philippe and Aunt Geraldine,
I was so sorry to hear the tragic news that both of your sons had bravely met their deaths whilst serving with the Picardy Musketeers. Although I never had the pleasure of meeting either of them I'm told that they were courageous young fellows who were a credit to you both in their respective professions. I cannot begin to imagine the anguish occasioned by receiving terrible news that no parent should ever hear.
With Sincere and Deepest Sympathy from your Niece,
Helen
(Daughter of Lorraine Hébert, née Fournier)
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Post by gaston on Jan 17, 2020 20:34:06 GMT
Madame Helen Bacque to Baroness Genevieve Dupont Greetings!
My Lady,
Please assure Lieutenant de la Azur that Abbé Robin and myself hold him in no way responsible for the peevish spectacle orchestrated by that unworthy priest Dieudormez Lachapelle at the art exhibition they jointly hosted at Hunters last month. We are sure that the "venemous attack on Abbe Robin and Mlle. Helen" (as desribed by La Voix) which the vindictive Curate revealed came as much of a shock to the good Lieutenant as it did to ourselves.
Have you any idea what could possibly have prompted this unfounded and vicious attack upon my reputation? I have treated Curate Lachapelle with nothing but politesse in all my dealings with him, and even attended a few of his sermons before finding Abbé Robin a much more charitable and congenial candidate to take as my personal confessor. As you know, a lady's good reputation is her most precious possession, and to falsely attack it with no cause in an attempt to ostracise her from polite society is the most heinous act which a gentleman could perpetrate. For a Priest to indulge in such base villainy is doubly damning.
Abbé Robin is equally devastated by Curate Lachapelle's unwarranted and unexpected attack on a fellow Languedocian of the Franciscan order - until that point the Curate had received nothing but kindness from the Abbé's hands. Indeed, so deep is the pit of despair and melancholy into which the Curate's despicable actions have thrown the poor Abbé that I am beginning to fear for his health...
Could I prevail upon you to help me rectify this, My Lady? If Lieutenant de la Azur were to invite me to his club in the first or third week of November (together with any other worthy Parisians he might care to entertain), not only would this demonstrate that he in no way condones Curate Dieudormez' recent unwarranted attacks, but it would also allow us to discuss a few ideas I have regards pulling poor Abbé Robin out of the doldrums.
Your Ladyship's Most Devoted Servant,
Helen Bacque
P.S. I note that although still a member of Hunters, Lieutenant de la Azur is now eligible to take out membership of the Rose & Crown. I would be delighted cover his first month's membership of this establishment as a further demonstration that Curate Lachepelle's antics have by no means estranged us.
P.P.S. I also note that the Lieutenant's prospects in the Dragoon Guards seem somewhat static at the moment. Should he wish it, I would be happy to inject some fluidity into the regiment (in the same way that I helped Captain Henri-Francois d'Aisne rise quickly up the ranks of his regiment).
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Post by Renald De La Azur on Jan 18, 2020 21:21:26 GMT
Lieutenant Renard de La Azur to Madame Helen Bacque
Hello Madame Helen Bacque,
I have just been talking to the Baroness and she mentioned your nice letter,
I was unaware of the contents of the good fathers Book and had I know of the nature of the book I would have not been hosting the event or even at the event. I am shocked at the attack against yourself and the good Abbe.
I will be at my new club (Rose & Crown) in the Third week of the month if I am not away with my Regiment and I would be happy to have you and the abbe join us.
Lieutenant Renard de La Azur
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Post by gaston on Jan 19, 2020 13:41:26 GMT
Madame Helen Bacque to Lieutenant Renard de La Azur Greetings!
Mon Cher Renard,
Thank you for your kind words. I knew in my heart that you could have had nothing to with with Curate Lachapelle's infamous 'revelations'.
Thank you also for your kind invitation to the Rose & Crown in the third week of November. (My offer to cover your club dues for the month still stands, by the way). I accept with pleasure and hope that Abbé Robin might also be able to re-arrange his calendar so as to attend. I believe that we shall both be attending Abbé Robin's sermon in the week prior to your gathering and look forward to renewing our acquaintance.
I trust this letter finds yourself and the Baroness well. I thought it best to write to her in the first instance so as not to give rise to any misplaced jealousy. Although nothing improper ever occurred between us I always think it best to deny ammunition to maliciously wagging tongues.
Affectionately Yours,
Helen
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Post by gaston on Jan 22, 2020 14:48:05 GMT
Madame Helen Bacque to Lieutenant Renard de La Azur Greetings!
Mon Cher Renard,
It appears that your regiment is to be sent to the Flanders front in November.
Let me wish you every success is battle, a safe and heroic return, and hope that we can reschedule our meeting at the Rose & Crown for a recounting of your martial exploits thereafter.
Affectionately Yours,
Helen Bacque
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Post by Renald De La Azur on Jan 24, 2020 12:46:17 GMT
Lieutenant Renard de La Azur to Madame Helen Bacque
Greetings,
Thank you for the Best wishes, i hopefully will speak to you on my return from the front God willing.
Lieutenant Renard de La Azur
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Post by gaston on Feb 13, 2020 8:26:35 GMT
Mon Cher Renald,
Roland tells me that Baroness Geneieve and yourself will be attending the exhibition he is hosting (at my request) at the end of the month! What wonderful news !
To be honest, until he mentioned it I didn't even know that you had returned safely from the front. The last news I had was that you weren't to be expected back in Paris until March.
So glad to hear of your safe return and congratulations upon a superlative performance at the front. I can't wait to hear how you earned your mentions in dispatches.
Amitiés,
Helen
P.S. Thank you once more for your staunch moral support in regard to the slanderous Curate.
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Post by gaston on Feb 26, 2020 14:12:31 GMT
Madame Helen Bacque, to Madame Geraldine Fournier, Greetings!
Aunt Geraldine,
What a pleasure it was to see you and Uncle Philippe at the recent art exhibition. I trust that you both enjoyed yourselves and had a pleasant trip to Paris.
Please thank Uncle Philippe for his gift, though it's a shame that he did not see fit to formally adopt me on this occasion.
I'll prevail upon Roland to host another gathering at his Place Royale residence in May to which you will both be invited, of course. Hopefully, by that time, Uncle Philippe will have come around to the idea.
Your Affectionate Niece,
Helen
P.S. I have just learned that the charge of slander brought against Dieudonné Lachapelle has been upheld by the Ecclesiastical Tribunal and the vicious falsehoods he deliberately aimed at me proven to have no basis in fact. It is such a relief to have my good name restored to me at last.
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Post by gaston on Feb 27, 2020 8:55:34 GMT
Madame Helen Bacque, to Their Lordships the Bishop of Mans, the Bishop of Vienne and the Bishop of Sens, Greetings!
My Lords Bishop,
I must thank you from the bottom of my heart for restoring the good names of Abbé Robin and myself. I cannot begin to tell Your Lordships how relieved I was to learn that a just and fair inquisition of Dieudonné Lachapelle's pernicious actions had been conducted and an appropriate verdict agreed upon.
The sentence handed down to Father Lachapelle is immaterial. The important thing is that our claims of innocence in the face of the vicious slurs he publicly gave voice to have been publicly vindicated.
I must confess that initially I felt that six or more months exile in Persia in punishment for his baseless slanders seemed a little excessive . The fact remains, however, that had he apologised and withdrawn the offensive material when asked to do so then there would have been no need to present the issue before Your Lordships in the first place.
Father Lachapelle has only himself to blame.
Also, if Abbé Robin can be exiled to the Holy Land for months merely as a result of succumbing to human frailty, then the exile of Father Lachapelle as a result of his deliberate malice does not seem inappropriate.
So, thank you once again My Lords Bishop for publicly declaring Father Lachapelle's vicious allegations to have no basis in fact. A debt of gratitude to you all shall always be owed by
Madame Helen Bacque
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Post by gaston on Mar 15, 2020 13:58:10 GMT
Madame Helen Bacque, to Mlle Celeste Ludenburg, Captain Fitzbraose, Lieutenant de la Azur and Baroness Genevieve DuPoint, Greetings!
Allow me to thank you, ladies and gentlemen, for attending the gathering hosted by my consort, Vicomte Roland Gorne, at the end of January. I'm glad that Monsieur Flump's work was so well received and delighted to say that the new owner of the piece is most pleased with it.
I must admit that I was most impressed with Lieutenant de la Azur's 'Portrait of an Unknown Lady.' Are you free to accept commissions, Renald?
I'm hoping to persuade Roland play host at the Place Royale on a fairly regular basis and to see you all at future gatherings would be a source of great pleasure for
Madame Helen Bacque
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