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THE HUGO HOUSEHOLD is in turmoil! I arrived to find M’sieur Hugo in furious discussion with Victor, holding a letter aloft as if it would burn his hand. I quickly made my way upstairs out of earshot, not wanting to be a party to their obvious upset. I heard the word ‘Adèle’ and that was enough. As I settled down to my task that day, my mind went over what I knew concerning the young woman. Not really that young, either, at thirty-two she was considered to be headed for spinsterhood, having, according to her father, already spurned five suitors. Personally, I was surprised anyone would have offered for her, as her moods were becoming more and more strange and unpredictable. I kept my distance as much as possible as she made it clear my presence was abhorrent to her. Over the months I have learnt of her obsession with an English soldier, Lieutenant Pinson, whom she had met in Jersey and has corresponded with since. Adèle left Guernsey yesterday, 18th June, to join her mother in Paris and I surmised the letter in m’sieur’s hand concerned this event.
I was fully engaged in my work when he appeared in the salon a few hours later. He barely acknowledged my curtsy, pacing around the table picking up and putting down my copied pages.
‘Are you well, m’sieur?’ I ventured to ask, curiosity giving me confidence.
At last he stood still, running his hand through his hair with a dramatic sigh.
‘Yes, I am, thank you, but I have an ingrate for a daughter. Instead of going to join her mother, she has instead gone to England to stay with a friend which we think is a subterfuge and she is actually on her way to join the soldier, Pinson, in Canada. We do not know if she is to marry him or not. As if we would have hindered her had we but known. In fact she has our blessing if he was to ask for her hand and we are sending our consent if a marriage is to take place. Although it is not clear if it will, as I suspect her feelings for him outmatch any he might have for her.’ He paced around the table again as I tried to think of what to say.
‘It’s not the way it should have happened, I agree, but if she does marry this man, would you not be pleased? Is it not what all fathers want for their daughters?’
He stared at me and not for the first time I wondered if he saw me or Léopoldine.
‘You are right, of course. I’d be pleased, and so would her mother. Although she could have chosen someone so much better to join a family such as ours. At least she would become his problem now,’ he added, under his breath. He gave my arm a pat and left. My thoughts spun around my head as I took in the enormity of Adèle’s actions. Her reputation would be ruined if the marriage did not take place and it would reflect badly on her parents. No wonder m’sieur was angry.
30th June
Another letter arrived on 30th June from Adèle’s friend in London confirming she had indeed left for Halifax, Nova Scotia. M’sieur confided in me that M’dame Hugo and Charles were returning to Guernsey while they decide what to do. M’sieur and Victor spent much time together as they waited for M’dame Hugo to arrive and when she did raised voices could be heard through the house. It is not a happy place to work in and I try to keep out of the way. I only catch the odd glimpse of M’dame Hugo and Charles and they are to leave soon.
12th July
M’dame Hugo and Charles left today and the atmosphere has improved in Hauteville House. M’sieur looked slightly less harassed when I saw him this afternoon.
‘I am sending her an allowance, but there’s no word of a marriage as yet and this troubles me,’ he said, pulling at his beard. I murmured some words of comfort, but it was clear how much he was affected by Adèle’s erratic behaviour. M’sieur has thrown himself into his writing, which promises to be an epic critique of Shakespeare and his works as well as others such as Homer, Juvenal and Dante. I am engrossed as I work, my mind opened to new ideas and literature I’d never dreamt of studying. I copied out his words, ‘‘Each new genius is an abyss. Yet there is such a thing as tradition. A tradition which passes from one chasm to the next’. I could not help but wonder what part he himself played in this gathering of geniuses, for surely he was one. My admiration grows unchecked as I listen to and read his words. And I realise it is more than admiration, but something that can never be acknowledged. For him, I am a somewhat poor substitute for his beloved Léopoldine, and he continually shows me kindness and generosity, including gifts that I will always treasure. It was merely a trick of fate that I should resemble the poor girl so nearly, but one for which I will be eternally grateful as it had brought me to him. Alas, that I shall never be more than his copyist and friend!
August 1863
In spite of only receiving an occasional letter from Adèle, addressed to her brother Victor, and not knowing exactly what was happening with her, M’sieur Hugo and M’dame Drouet left for Brussels today, 15th August for their summer break. I am missing them already and the time drags as I work in the now silent house.
October 1863
I’m thankful my friends have returned! Our routine will soon be re-established and I cannot wait.
Today I was in the red salon working as usual when m’sieur burst in, crying, ‘Adèle is married!’ The deep lines of his forehead looked less pronounced as he flourished a letter in his hand. I offered my congratulations before he rushed off, presumably to write to his wife. There was an immediate lift in the atmosphere and I happily continued working.
Oh, no, a letter has been received by Victor from Adèle, asking for money. M’sieur was in a fury as he relayed the events to me, saying her landlady was about to throw her out and that the marriage hadn’t taken place.
‘I shall shame the man into marrying her! No-one makes sport with the daughter of the Viscount and Viscountess Hugo of France!’
He stormed out and the tension in the household was palpable for the rest of the day.
Today an announcement of m’sieur’s daughter’s engagement to the lieutenant appeared in the local paper, and I understand on the mainland. Presumably this was to shame the soldier into marrying, as m’sieur had threatened. But it proved a failure.
There has been no marriage and Adèle continues to stay in Halifax, much to her father’s despair.
a
Late 1863–1864
I went for lunch today to M’dame Drouet’s and found her in a state of much excitement.
‘Ma chère, see what I have received in the post today,’ she said, handing me a leather-bound volume. It was M’dame Hugo’s biography of M’sieur Hugo and at the front was a signed dedication to M’dame Drouet.
‘Do you not think this is most charitable of M’dame Hugo? I shall treasure it as much as any of her husband’s books.’
‘I think it a gracious gesture and I’m truly pleased for you. Perhaps her sons have told her how kind you are to them when they are here without her.’ It was true, when in Guernsey Charles and Victor dined at her home with their father and other guests. They had known her since they were children and she has told me how fond she has become of them. I gather they had all felt a little unsure when M’sieur Hugo first suggested it, but it has been a great success. I admit to being somewhat envious of these soirees, but apart from m’dame, only gentlemen are permitted and the conversation can be a little embarrassing to the hostess, she has said.
‘There is something else which I must share with you. M’sieur and his sons have been saying for some time that this house is too damp for me and I confess I think it has affected my health, particularly in the winter months. And so a new house is to be found for me as near as possible to his. I don’t like the thought of moving, but I must consider my health.’
I was pleased to hear this as I had thought the same about the house for some time.
a
Spring 1864
M’sieur Hugo’s work, William Shakespeare, is published, selling in the anticipated large numbers. However, the critics are harsh and m’sieur is scathing of them. His humour isn’t helped by the continued absence of his daughter Adèle and her constant need for funds. The household is not the most cheerful at this time but m’sieur keeps busy with his writing which means I am also much occupied. I would like to think he finds my company uplifting and he often holds me in conversation when he has more time and I am happy to join him. My life outside my work is still limited to visits with m’dame, occasional trips out with her and m’sieur, and my friendship with Mrs Rabey. It is now two years since I had lost Arnaud and the baby and I am out of mourning, but my life remains that of a widow.
April
Today, m’sieur joined m’dame and me for lunch at La Fallue, which has occurred more often with the continued absence of M’dame Hugo.
‘I have found you a house, ma chère,’ he announced to m’dame, who tried to look pleased. ‘And you will be surprised to learn it is No 20, where I was housed when we first arrived here. I’ve been trying to get Thomas Domaille to sell it to me for a while and he’s finally agreed. So what do you think?’ He beamed at her.
‘Oh, that’s wonderful! Still near to you, m’sieur. Will it need much work done?’
‘A certain amount, but I expect to have you in there by June. And just think, we shall have the pleasure of designing the rooms to your taste and buying whatever you need to make you comfortable. Is that not good news?’ He spread his arms and Juliette clapped her hands in agreement. I was even more pleased as the house was a mere three doors away from mine, which she was quick to point out. We raised a toast in celebration and spent a most pleasant lunch together.
June
M’dame has duly moved in to what is now called Hauteville Faerie, the work deemed essential by m’sieur being completed. They spend a deal of time visiting antique shops looking for furniture and furnishings. I gathered from her that m’sieur wants to create a miniature Hauteville House and the décor does begin to resemble the style of the mansion, but on a much smaller scale. One of the rooms designed by him is already known as the Chinese room and will be used for soirees. Other rooms are adorned with damask hangings, antique mirrors and wonderful collections of odd items collected from flea markets. M’dame’s theatrical dresses from her days as an actress have been transformed into coverings for chairs and sofas by m’sieur, whose artistic creations continue to surprise and amaze me. M’dame, unable to spend as much time writing thanks to poor eyesight, has given herself up to fashioning a new home and seems much happier than she’s been for a while. M’sieur Hugo also appears to have shaken off some of the strains of the past months and both households enjoy the benefit.
The work on the house does not mean the writing has slowed down and after the publication of William Shakespeare m’sieur started on a new novel and also began collating poems, some written a few years previously, to form the collection, Les Chansons des Rues et des Bois. I have found them quite a contrast to other works I have copied, being of a lighter nature and with certain undertones which bring a flush to my cheeks as I write. If he is in the room I have to avoid my master’s eye although I am sure he knows full well the effect his words would have on me. It is well that he cannot read my heart, for I have surely lost it to the man I can never have. I am in a worse position then my dear M’dame Drouet, for at least she is loved in return and can enjoy her love in her own home. There are times when it feels too much of a burden and the tears fall unheeded when I retire to bed. However, it would be far worse to never see my beloved again!
The younger Victor has become engaged to a charming local girl, Emily de Putron, of good family, who he met soon after arriving in Guernsey. She has helped him with his translation of Shakespeare’s works and I have seen her on several occasions and it was clear theirs was a love match. M’sieur Hugo is delighted as it will keep his son in Guernsey. Charles, I understand, had grown restless and left in 1861, before I met the family, only returning on occasion.
December
I was at m’dame’s for lunch, an established routine now M’dame Hugo has returned, and after Suzanne left us, m’dame brought up the subject of marriage.
‘Is it not wonderful that Victor is soon to be married? Something joyful to look forward to for a change.’ She gave me a sly look as she poured the wine.
‘Indeed, it is. They make a good match and now we must hope Charles finds a partner before he is much older. It’s unusual for a man of thirty-eight to be unmarried, especially from such a family as his.’
She waved her hand.
‘Oh, Charles will find a bride in his own time. But it is not the Hugo menfolk I’m concerned about, ma chère, it is you. It’s nearly three years since you lost your husband and are you not considering your own future?’
‘My future? Why, I’m perfectly happy working for M’sieur Hugo and see no need to make any changes, unless he wants me to leave?’ My chest grew tight with the fear of such a thing happening. I couldn’t leave him, I couldn’t!
‘No, of course he doesn’t want you to leave. But we are both aware that you are still young and with your looks and intelligence, could be considered a suitable wife for any man.’ She smiled as if I should be pleased to hear such a thing. But in truth, it was the very last thing I wished to consider. I never wanted to stop working for m’sieur and would have to if I married. And I had vowed never to have another child and so for those two reasons I could never marry again.