Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-07-03
jIlFuScS SlSxE STORY,
Mmc. Droucr- Fart In the Poets I.ifs and
v,rks.


Works.
Hy far the tcndcrcst and most last
ing OF Victor ilugo's friendships for
women ended in the death of Nine.
brouct a few days ago. She was an
actress iifty-threc years ago. when HUI
go first met her. TALL OF superb fig
urc, and lively intellect, she inspired in
the poet passion which only deepcncd
with time aud change of fortune. This
friendship was stronger than the poets
will; it outlivcd his marriage and allie.
waited its disappointments; 1t followed
him into exile. and thrivcd in his dark
est years. Strangers who called at the
Rue dc Clichy were expected to ignore
the fact that Mime. Drouct lived in the
house. Before them she was treated
by Victor Hugo with rcvcrcntial gal
lantry. She had none Of the ways OF
an old stage beauty, though in her
youth she had been a paragon OF plas-
tic loyeliness, and had, to boot, grace,
archness, sensibility, and bright wit.
Her ways showed good breeding and
rcctitude. Her musical talents were
brilliant, and she had delicious voice.
She had been left an orphan at an
early age, and her paternal uncle, IA
nous general of the republic, thought,
to keep the beauty out of danger, she
should enter convent for life. On
the eve of the day on which she was to
have assumed the veil with other pos
tulants, Mgr. Quc,.n visited the con-
vent. He congratulated the Breton
girl on the strength of her vocation.
She felt if she did not that moment act
with decision
SHE WOULD BE BURIED ALIVE FOR
EVER
Mastering up all her courage she re-
piled: The truth is, | have no call
whatever. and do not want to be u
num- The Archbishop had been told
just the contrary, and in a severe way
asked the Superior why he had been
kept in the dark. She said, with more
zeal than discretion. 1.-The fact is. this
young girl is an orphan and penniless
Her relations have no choice for her
between heaven and perdition. They
elect for God, and she elects for sa
TAM
La Belle Julicttc. as she was then
| called, thus escaped the convent. and
went to the Vaudeville. and aftcrward
to the Fort St Martin. and here she
met her fate, the young poet. She was
given the part of the Princess Ncgroni
in "Lucrctia Borgia," and her superb
beauty fascinated Victor Hugo. who,
though young, was even then famous.
Juliette was proud to see him at her
feet. He became jealous of the spec.
tators who acclaimed her. Juliette
felt remorsc for having triiled with
him, and sought employment at Brus-
sells and St. Petersburg. The poet was
| beside himself with grief on hearing of
| her plans for the future. He was glo-
rIous. but not rich. and what right, he
| asked himself, had he to stand in her
way? The tempest that ragged in his
mind is described in the chapter about
Marius in lies Miserables." -"
Ills LrRE GOT OUT OF TUNE.
Literary work was neglected. The
idea that wife and four children en-
tiroly depended upon his cxortions
crushed him. The actress, meeting
him by chance, was borror-stricken by
| the change that had taken place in
| him. She was a woman of rapid de-
| cision, and then and there resolved to
| quit the thcater, to devote herself to
the poet-and indeed, as it appeared to
her, to poverty also; to bear the re-
proaches which she knew would be
| hcaped upon her, to resent nothing
| which those who would have n right to
hate her might say against her, and to
| have no ambition except Victor Hugo's
welfare. He wanted n secretary. Why
| not, she asked, employ her as one?
The salary for the work he required to
be done would Ue enough for all her
| wants, and could bc accepted with dig
| nifty. Juiiettc went to live in the Place
| Roy ale, and there became Mme. Drou-
| ct.
Although she exercised an unques-
TONED empire over the poet, she never
misuscd it, nor was any member of his
household ever heard to complain 0
herpresencc there. She was associated
with some Of his brightest literary tri-
umphs in such manner that he must
have considered her an almost INSOFAR
able part of himself The marvellous
description of the convent at Petit-Pic.
pus, in the "Miserables,' is taken al
most word for word from Nine. Drou-
cts lips She was in the Picpus con-
vent when girl. Many other scenes
in Lies Miserables' and in one or two
of Hugo's poems are due to the inspi-
rations and suggestions of Nine. Drou-
ct. Nine. Drouet is buried in the cem-
etery at st. Mande. where lies the only
child she ever had-a daughter.