The Curiosity of the Gift
Chapter 2 of 11
themistresssnapeTEMPORARILY ABANDONED. I PROMISE I WILL FINISH IT, BUT THE MUSE IS SLOW RIGHT NOW. It is all quite odd how the events to be related in this work were brought to my attention. Here, I reproduce them in full detail as they were given to me.
ReviewedChapter 1: The Curiosity of the Gift
The mysterious letters from G.H. and the strange appearance of a gift on the table of my dining room made me more than slightly nervous. Perhaps most unsettling was the knowledge that someone gained entry to my rooms and left without leaving any sign in the span of a quarter of an hour. I must confess I still thought myself the end of some elaborately orchestrated joke. What objects I had on my person at that moment were left in a most haphazard fashion at the door to my rooms, and I began to check each closet and every hidden orifice for my guest. After nearly half an hour of searching, I found no one and no trace of anyone having been there at all.
At the end of my search, I found myself again before the gift. The box was rather small, about the size of a watchcase, wrapped in blood red paper, and tied with a black bow. Taking a seat at the table, I stared at the gift, watching the light from the overhead chandelier glittering on the red foil paper. I was at once overwhelmed with fear and desire as I stared, longing to reach out and open the hypnotizing gift but afraid to will my fingers to take it. Perhaps I could overcome my great curiosity by simple force of will, yet to this day I do not believe myself capable of such strength. And so I resolved myself to open the package and quickly dispatch with the task G.H. had chosen to befall me.
I could not bring myself to tear that beautiful paper through impatience, so I took my time, placing the bow and foil to the side. There was a plain, white box beneath the elaborate decoration, which only piqued my curiosity about what lay inside. Whoever wrapped this gift—which I was much inclined to believe it was my mysterious G.H. himself—had taken great care and poured much love into the package. At last I removed the cover of the box, revealing a folded sheet of paper and a beautiful antique necklace.
The necklace was simple enough, a pendant attached to a wide, black, silk ribbon, but it was mesmerizingly beautiful. A porcelain silhouette of a young woman was set against a garnet background. An ornate lattice of silver that joined to the silver backing into which the rest was set surrounded this. I ran the tips of my fingers over the rough porcelain and over the silver backing. Exactly in the middle of the backing, I felt etchings in the silver and turned it over in my palm. In very small, neatly placed French was an engraving that read, “To my lovely bride, my Lady de Chagny, with love, your Philippe.”
I could barely bring myself to put away the necklace to read the letter. At last, I tore my eyes from that beautiful piece of antique jewelry and unfolded the letter that had lain forgotten as I admired the Lady de Chagny’s necklace. The letter was in the familiar script of G.H., produced both in French and English, although I shall hereafter reproduce our singular correspondence in my native tongue only, which is Lancaster English. In the letter accompanying Lady de Chagny’s jewelry, my dear pen pal gave a lengthy exposition of his meaning and purpose for contacting me and placing this most intriguing project at my feet.
My dear Mlle. Emmyline Leroux,
By now I am quite sure that you are fully at most unease—if not entirely terrified—by my insistent correspondence with you. As I have pointed out previously, I am on very honorable and honest terms with M. Jacques Rigalto, your concierge who may thoroughly be trusted with our correspondence as well as whatever proof of my honor you may desire. I have instructed M. Rigalto to answer whatever questions you may have regarding my person excluding—of course—my true name as well as my place of residence. That, I assure you, will be revealed in due time.
Please feel free as well to inquire of Mme. Katharine Firmin if you have further reservations as to my honor or intentions in approaching you with this inquest, which I have so mysteriously brought to your knowledge. Here, I must stop and beg your pardon and forgiveness at my behavior as far as our current list of correspondence is concerned. I should hope that, when all of our knowledge is fulfilled in regards to the Chateau de Chagny, you will understand why I have maintained such stringent codes of secrecy.
In your hand—as I assume you have the darling Lady de Chagny’s remarkable necklace in your grasp at this moment—is the wedding gift that was given to Lady Marguerite de Chagny by her husband-to-be, the Lord Philippe d’Arc Bordeaux, on the eave of their wedding in July of 1889. As you are absolutely aware, the French aristocracies were under the titles of Counts and Countesses, Viscounts and Viscountesses, and so forth unless they held before a title of the clergy. It may be quite odd—as there has always been much animosity between the dominion of the British and we who are French—but the Mlle. Marguerite and M. Philippe were granted their titles before their nuptials by the British crown with the permission of our government.
The records of which I—and those who share my interest in the most singular life of the Lady de Chagny and Lord Philippe—have gained access to give account of the Lord and Lady holding their wedding mass at the cathedral of Notre Dame on July 22, 1889. In September of 1890, a son bearing the name of Erik Louis de Chagny Bordeaux was baptized in Paris. The young Lord’s death certificate was filed on his second birthday. Lord Philippe—as the records show—died in Crécy in March of 1901 of pneumonia. He was twenty-nine years old.
What had driven my interest in and my contact of you—Mlle. Leroux—of this matter is that there is no mention of the death of Marguerite de Chagny in any records in France or England. There is a passing mention in the survey records of Paris that the Chateau de Chagny had been abandoned as of the autumn of 1902. I have been assured that you are a meticulous child of research and that—to you—history is a great love. Please, Mlle. Leroux, find her—find our darling Lady de Chagny, and bring her home.
Your most humble servant,
G.H.
Notes from The Mistress: I've had this chapter finished for some time now, but with everything going on, I haven't had time to post it. I'm working on the next chapter, as well as the next portion of Softer Side. Hope you enjoy!
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Latest 25 Reviews for The Chagny Letters
16 Reviews | 5.94/10 Average
Poor Lady, childless and widowed at 26 surrounded by people who love her, who see the grief but do not understand her dispair, and have not the wit to save her. Why did she not just leave and save herself? She was nobody's ward, she was a woman of private means, not so? Why didn't she just retire somewhere and heal?
Response from themistresssnape (Author of The Chagny Letters)
You will see. That's a key plot point a little later on. But I give you this comfort, eventually she does save herself. ~The Mistress
Every single alarm bell in my head is going off right now. Who is this guy? I don't trust him any farther than I could throw him. He's just too,... too... too... slick. Hmph!On with the romance ^_^
Response from themistresssnape (Author of The Chagny Letters)
Nicolas is charming, isn't he? There is something not quite right about him, but you'll have to wait to find out! ~The Mistress
Lancaster--Howard--Boleyn (Tudor?)
Powerful names that rise out of the mist of the distant past into the present. The six basic questions (Who? What? Where? When? Why? and How?) are jostling for position in my brain. Your spell is well woven and I'm caught. Please continue. 
Response from themistresssnape (Author of The Chagny Letters)
Ah, I do love history! I doubt the Tudors will show up but the Fitzroys most definitely will! ~The Mistress
What a fascinating place to stay. So rich with history. I would love to be there. At least you're giving me the opportunity to go along for the ride. =) Nicolas Lancaster is an extremely appealing character. I look forward to see what happens with him.
Response from themistresssnape (Author of The Chagny Letters)
Thank you! I am fond of Nicolas, as he is based on my husband. ~The Mistress Snape
You have a lovely way of depicting a scene with such elegance. =)I think you may have a typo at the end. "Qui, mademoiselle…" looks like it should be "Oui, mademoiselle…"Anyway, this story just draws me right in. I feel like I'm part of the mystery, and the intrigue holds me there until it is unravelled.
Response from themistresssnape (Author of The Chagny Letters)
Thank you, for both the compliment and the correction. I have went through the other chapters and corrected them all. I am horrible at French and my translator was not here with me when I was writing it! ~The Mistress
Oh, this is very interesting. Is the details of this story drawn from fact? For example, did Count Phillipe actually die of pneumonia? I can't wait to find out who G.H. turns out to be.
Response from themistresssnape (Author of The Chagny Letters)
No, nothing about the details of the story is true. There are a few historical people who tend to pop up (Anne Boleyn for example) and some true events (WWI, which is coming up in later chapters). Other than that, it is purely my imagination! ~The Mistress
OH, and now there's a secret journal to read, too, not to mention an interesting historical artifact. It will be interesting to see how the connection between Anne Boleyn and Lady de Chagny develops. I like the pacing of this story -- it has a leisurely feel to it, but fresh events and complications continually turn up to prevent it from going slack.
Response from themistresssnape (Author of The Chagny Letters)
Thank you. I had hoped that it didn't appear too slow going. Your reviews are fuel to the muse! ~The Mistress
You build up the details very effectively in your descriptions of that lovely country hotel. That's an interesting mix of luxury and unease you've got going there. It really hints at some sort of affinity (maybe even possession) involving the heroine and some ghost of the past, but it isn't heavyhanded. M. Lancaster is another intriguing development -- lucky girl, having him as a balcony neighbor!
Response from themistresssnape (Author of The Chagny Letters)
I will say only this, the inn hosts know something about Emmyline Leroux that even she doesn't know. Perhaps that may give some clue to her connection with the past! And yes, I do love M. Lancaster already. He is based on my husband, though Gerard is Scotch-Irish rather than French. ~The Mistress
I can't shake the feeling, almost deja vu. This reminds me the most of the first time I read the original "Dracula." All of this calm, simple yet exotic beauty is quite frankly giving me the creeps. Looking forward to more.
Response from themistresssnape (Author of The Chagny Letters)
I am sorry that I am creeping you out, but I always did like the pace and mystery of Stroker's prose. Hopefully futher chapters won't be so creepy. ~The Mistress
Oh, I am very excited to read your story. I happened to have just finished reading Gaston Leroux's book. When I saw this on the newly added page, I was immediately intrigued. The prologue is certainly interesting so far. I enjoy your use of French in the story as well.
Response from themistresssnape (Author of The Chagny Letters)
Thank you, but I must be honest and say I do not speak French myself. A close friend was nice enough to translate for me. I am glad you are enjoying the story, and hope you continue to! ~The Mistress
most intriguing... does that mean that Erik and Raoul are cousins?
Response from themistresssnape (Author of The Chagny Letters)
Not really. A relation, but that will be explained later. Thanks for reading! ~The Mistress
This is a good start, leaving me wondering just what it's all about. I thought it could use a little more on setting/time description, but I'm guessing it's modern time? I'm intrigued on what the gifts might be. :-)
Response from themistresssnape (Author of The Chagny Letters)
There's a little more along those lines in the coming chapters. I'm trying to work out some kinks before I post more. Hopefully, I'll get it worked out soon! Much love~~ The Mistress
Far be it from me to argue, but isn't a piece based on the Phantom of the Opera, still considered fanfiction?
Response from themistresssnape (Author of The Chagny Letters)
Loosely based, of course. I suppose it is, but the original fiction is the only place on TPP to post it.
The entrance of Anne Boleyn into the tale is very intriguing, you're giving this history junkie a nice surprise. Once again, I love the tone, which really captures the sense of a big, fat Victorian novel -- flowing and richly detailed at the same time.
Response from themistresssnape (Author of The Chagny Letters)
Anne came to my mind because I have just finished reading The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory. It is a wonderful book. I hope you continue to enjoy the story as it unfolds, as I am working on the next chapter now. ~The Mistress
Very strange, and why is our dear Mlle. Leroux the very person to solve this mystery? BTW, I didn't say it in my first review, but the title of this story is irresistibly elegant.
Response from themistresssnape (Author of The Chagny Letters)
I cannot give that away so soon! Why, it would ruin the whole rest of the story itself! ~The Mistress
I hope you enjoy my little foray away from the world of fanfiction, just for a little while.
It's lovely, and even before I read your note I was thinking how reminiscent of a 19th-century novella it was -- the mysterious agent of change, the secrets to be sought out. (I'm remembering college readings of Kleist, as I studied German, not French.)
Response from themistresssnape (Author of The Chagny Letters)
Thank you very much. I am hoping to actually have it published upon completion, with a few minor changes (a few names here and there to remove it a bit more from the Phantom). Your reviews are delightfully encouraging! ~The Mistress