96 THE ROYAL INSTITUTION. .[CHAP. II. 



she on one side, they on the other, of the high brick wall. 

 After that she goes and pours boiling water on some of 

 my beautiful flowers. 



And the wretched climax came the next year : 



Rue d'Anjou, St. Honor6, No. 39, Paris, April 12, 1808. 



After what you know, my dear Sally, of my domestic 

 troubles you will naturally be anxious to know the present 

 state of things. There are no alterations for the better. 

 On the contrary, much worse. I have suffered more than 

 you can imagine for the last four weeks ; but my rights are 

 incontestable, and I am determined to maintain them. I 

 have the misfortune to be married to one of the most im- 

 perious, tyrannical, unfeeling women that ever existed, and 

 whose perseverance in pursuing an object is equal to her 

 profound cunning and wickedness in framing it. 



It is impossible to continue in this way, and we shall 

 separate. I only wish it was well over. It is probable I 

 shall ^ake a house at Auteuil, a very pleasant place, with 

 the Seine on one side and the Bois de Boulogne on the 

 other, about a league from Paris. I have seen a very 

 handsome house there which I can have rather dear, but 

 that matters little can I but find quiet. It would be truly 

 unfortunate, after the King of Bavaria's late bounties joined 

 to former ones, if I could not live more independently than 

 with this unfeeling, cunning, tyrannical woman. 



Little do we know people at first sight ! Do you preserve 

 my letters ? You will perceive that I have given very 

 different accounts of this woman, for lady I cannot call her. 



Now, my dear Sally, as soon as I get settled, enjoying 

 again independence, I shall wish you to join me. 



In the meantime believe me your affectionate Father. 



The Count bought the lease of his villa at Auteuil 

 in April 1808. 



For the last two or three months of his most miserable 





