This is a serial about why Hortense broke the law. We last left off where Hortense was frightened a plot was being hatched to get her sons killed.
Precious entries are here.
Hortense’s explanation why she broke the law is here.
- wanted to see this beautiful monument [the Pantheon], still the same after so many centuries even though it has been made into a church. After examining it in silence, I stopped in front of a statue of the Virgin. All these ex-votos [offerings] which surround her are always in my eyes a touching sign. It is pain, fear or recognition that performs this weak homage. This practice recalls both our miseries and our consolations.
I knelt before this statue and all these emblems of hope and gratitude. I only had one prayer even though I need so many more to be answered! I would fear to desire more: "May my children be well. O my God! and let me die before they do.” I had finished expressing this maternal wish, when a woman who was praying near me approached and said to me with a painful accent: "Ah! Madame, save my poor son!”
I got up with an indefinable emotion. How! She asked for the same thing as me, and I could be of use to her!
I questioned her. Her eighteen-year-old son was dying of fever. “I do not have any way to cure him,” she said to me. “Save my poor child.”
These words, so often repeated, gave me back his providence. It was not in my eyes any ordinary sort of alms. I wanted to save this son whom she asked me about again as if I indeed had the power to bring him back. I gave him the help which seemed urgent, and I took note of his address.
To be continued.
The memoirs so far are available here.