The Life of Charles Dickens 'C'est vrai donc, : says the Duke, Que madame la Duchesse n'est plus ? - C'est trop vrai monseigneur. - Tant mieux : says the Duke, and walks off deliberately, to the great satisfaction of the assemblage. Before Dickens left Paris in May 1856 he found a gathering near the Champs Elysees at the house of Duchess who had been murdered. The Duke (separated from the Duchess) enquired if the Duchess was dead, when confirmed that she was he replied good and walked off. Illustration by Fred Barnard