Marius se dijo a sí mismo que probablemente hallaría en ella la información que buscaba y que, por otra parte, al estar la carta abierta, era probable que pudiera ser leída sin incorrección.
Se concibió del siguiente modo:—
Madame la Marquise:
The virtue of clemency and piety is that which most closely unites sosiety. Turn your Christian spirit and cast a look of compassion on this unfortunate Spanish victim of loyalty and attachment to the sacred cause of legitimacy, who has given with his blood, consecrated his fortune, evverything, to defend that cause, and today finds himself in the greatest missery. He doubts not that your honorable person will grant succor to preserve an existence exteremely painful for a military man of education and honor full of wounds, counts in advance on the humanity which animates you and on the interest which Madame la Marquise bears to a nation so unfortunate. Their prayer will not be in vain, and their gratitude will preserve theirs charming souvenir.
My respectful sentiments, with which I have the honor to be Madame,
Ninguna dirección acompañaba a la firma. Marius esperaba encontrar la dirección en la segunda carta, cuyo sobre decía:
A Madame, Madame la Comtesse de Montvernet, Rue Cassette, No. 9.
Esto es lo que Marius leyó en ella:—
Madame la