Attracted by the fame of Canalis, also by the prospect of political
interest, and advised thereto by Madame d'Espard, who acted in the
matter for the Duchesse de Chaulieu, a young lawyer of the court of
Claims became secretary and confidential friend of the poet, who
welcomed and petted him very much as a broker caresses his first
dabbler in the funds. The beginning of this companionship bore a very
fair resemblance to friendship. The young man had already held the
same relation to a minister, who went out of office in 1827, taking
care before he did so to appoint his young secretary to a place in the
foreign office. Ernest de La Briere, then about twenty-seven years of
age, was decorated with the Legion of honor but was without other
means than his salary; he was accustomed to the management of business
and had learned a good deal of life during his four years in a
minister's cabinet. Kindly, amiable, and over-modest, with a heart
full of pure and sound feelings, he was averse to putting himself in
the foreground. He loved his country, and wished to serve her, but
notoriety abashed him. To him the place of secretary to a Napoleon was
far more desirable than that of the minister himself.
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