The doctor was called upon to decline the overtures of Madame d'Aiglemont, who was thinking of Ursula for her eldest son.

Six months later, in spite of the secrecy the doctor and Ursula maintained on this subject, Savinien heard of it.

Touched by so much delicacy, he made use of the incident in another attempt to vanquish his mother's obstinacy; but she merely replied:-- "If the d'Aiglemonts choose to ally themselves ill, is that any reason why we should do so ?" In December, 1834, the kind and now truly pious old doctor, then eighty-eight years old, declined visibly.

When seen out of doors, his face pinched and wan and his eyes pale, all the town talked of his approaching death.

"You'll soon know results," said the community to the heirs.