Note 103 — Chapter VIII

Married in 1831 to M. Emile de Girardin. Mademoiselle Delphine Gay was born at Aix-la-Chapelle about the year 1800, and in 1822 competed for the prize offered by the Academy for the best poem “Sur le Dévouement des Médecins Français et des Sœurs de Sainte Camille pendant l’Epidémie de Barcelone.” Had she conformed to the conditions, she would have gained the prize; as it was, it was read aloud by M. Alexandre Duval, and created a great sensation. The consecration of Charles X., the deaths of General Foy and of Mathieu de Montmorency, and other subjects, furnished themes for this accomplished poetess. After her marriage she frequently contributed feuilletons to the Presse under the name of Vicomte Delaunay, and also published some novels of considerable merit. Her last literary work was the popular drama, “La Joie fait Peur.”