[6] It is not necessary to enter into descriptions of these various inventions.
[7] We have given a description of a genteel Macaire in the account of M. de Bernard’s novels.
[8] He always went to mass; it is in the evidence.
[9] This sentence is taken from another part of the ‘acte d’accusation.’
[10] ‘Peytel,’ says the act of accusation, ‘did not fail to see the danger which would menace him, if this will (which had escaped the magistrates in their search for Peytel’s papers) was discovered. He, therefore, instructed his agent to take possession of it, which he did, and the fact was not mentioned for several months afterwards. Peytel and his agent were called upon to explain the circumstance, but refused, and their silence for a long time interrupted the “instruction” (getting up of the evidence). All that could be obtained from them was an avowal that such a will existed, constituting Peytel his wife’s sole legatee; and a promise, on their parts, to produce it before the court gave its sentence.’ But why keep the will secret? The anxiety about it was surely absurd and unnecessary: the whole of Madame Peytel’s family knew that such a will was made. She had consulted her sister concerning it, who said—‘If there is no other way of satisfying him, make the will;’ and the mother, when she heard of it, cried out—‘Does he intend to poison her?’
[11] M. Balzac’s theory of the case is, that Rey had intrigued with Madame Peytel; having known her previous to her marriage, when she was staying in the house of her brother-in-law, Monsieur de Montrichard, where Rey had been a servant.
[12] The italics are the author’s own.
[13] It is fine to think that, in the days of his youth, his Majesty Louis XIV. used to powder his wig with gold-dust.
[14] I think it is in the amusing Memoirs of Madame de Créqui (a forgery, but a work remarkable for its learning and accuracy) that the above anecdote is related.
[15] They made a Jesuit of him on his death-bed.