Description

On her husband's delicate situation :

"Sir,  I know how much your solicitude is trying to make our lives more breathable, and it is in all the Worlds that I will be grateful. The request that your signature should have made so powerful was sent back to the Ministry of Public Instruction by the Minister of the Interior, who was sorry to have nothing for Valmore in the offices of the theatres or the Fine Arts. One blow follows another - and the sad days are long!
Wherever you are, I am sure of at least one support. Extend it to me at this time, Sir, wherever you reign as in your house, at the Académie françaisewhere I was told to dare to send this humble book of Miseries which is here on your lap with one of your dear children.
I add nothing to the confession of this strange hope, it was inspired in me, and I give myself over to it by dint of misfortune, for truly, it is not without strength of pride! If not from the interest with which you honour the humblest of women. 
Marceline Desbordes-Valmore
10bre 1849".

Marceline Desbordes had a short career as an actress, and in 1817 she married her partner at the time, the actor François Prosper Lanchantin, known as Valmore, who retired from the stage following an injury in 1840. He obtained a position as sub-librarian at the Imperial Library in 1852.

Victor Hugo admired the work of Marceline Desbordes-Valmore, and after reading her collection wrote to her Crying in 1833:" There is the world of thoughts and the world of feelings. I don't know who has the thought, and if anyone does in this century, but you certainly have the other. You are queen […] You are the very woman, you are the very poetry."