Soledad Bazaine
danger - could that have been Pelissier's motive? Anyway he managed to escape unharmed, and with very great credit. Subsequently Pelissier promoted him Major General and Town Commandant of Sevastopol.
Of course with the Siege over, the resultant lull would mean that the Bazaines' domestic life could resume without disruption, and opportunities for Pelissier's tete-a-tetes became infrequent if not non-existent.So it was perhaps no surprise that the idea of an attack on the Russian mainland fortress of Kinburn was dreamt up with no greater object than to have another crack at the Russians before the winter set in. And it was no surprise either when Pelissier appointed Bazaine to command the expedition.
Whilst the mouse was away the cat played , or rather danced attendance on Madame mouse, every single afternoon, arriving in broad daylight in front of the whole army in his distinctive coach, previously owned by a Russian Prince and pulled by a gun team. These visits regularly lasted for around two hours,and of course set idle tongues, with not much else to do, wagging delightedly.
Nevertheless, the marriage not only survived but seemed to flourish - for a time. Although they missed the punishing social round which accompanied the peace conference, they were obliged to make their entry into Paris society in due course. Any anxieties that Bazaine might have held in the wake of a certain notoriety surrounding what she may or may not have got up to in the Crimea, and the attitude of nobility to both their humble origins, were quickly dispelled. Bazaine was a war hero with additional honours from the British and Sardinians, as well as an upgrade in the Legion of Honour. Soledad conducted herself impeccably and knew how to turn on the charm - it helped that Spanish beauties were in fashion as well.
Paris was one thing, but when Achille was appointed Garrison Commander at Bourges, the most provincial and conservative of towns, there were further worries about what Soledad's position might be. Here however her previous sojourn at Sacre Coeur came to her rescue. The cathedral city boasted a cardinal-archbishop and Soledad sought him out and thoroughly won him over with her project for spiritual meetings for wellbred young local ladies - this had been standard in Marseilles. They met regularly to sing sacred music, and Soledad of course played the cathedral organ.
All seemed to be going well for the Bazaines,
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