Do not give Dessauer many particulars about me; do not tell him that you are looking for rooms, nor Anthony either, for he will mention it to Mdlle. de Rozieres, and she is a babbler and makes the least thing a subject for gossip.  Some of her gossipings have already reached me here in a strange way.  You know how great things sometimes grow out of nothing if they pass through a mouth with a loose tongue.  Much could be said on this head.

As to the unlucky Tarantella, you may give it to Troupenas (that is, to Masset); but, if you think otherwise, send it by post to Wessel, only insist on his answering at once that he has received it.  The weather has been charming here for the last few days, but my music—­is ugly.  Madame Viardot spent a fortnight here; we occupied ourselves less with music than with other things.

  Please write to me whatever you like, but write.

  May Johnnie be in good health!

  But remember to write on Troupenas’s copy:  Hamburg, Schubert;
  Wessel, London.

In a few days I shall send you a letter for Mechetti in Vienna, to whom I promised to give some compositions.  If you see Dessauer or Schlesinger, ask if it is absolutely necessary to pay postage for the letters sent to Vienna.—­I embrace you, adieu.

      Chopin.

  [8.]

  Nohant, Sunday [1841].

What you have done you have done well.  Strange world!  Masset is a fool, so also is Pelletan.  Masset knew of Pacini’s waltz and that I promised it to the “Gazette” for the Album.  I did not wish to make any advances to him.  If he does not wish them at 600 francs, with London (the price of my usual manuscripts was 300 francs with him)—­three times five being fifteen—­I should have to give so much labour for 1,500 francs—­that cannot be.  So much the more as I told him when I had the first conversation with him that it might happen that I could not let him have my things at this price.  For instance, he cannot expect that I should give him twelve Etudes or a new Methode de Piano for 300 francs.  The Allegro maestoso ["Allegro de Concert,” Op. 46] which I send you to-day I cannot give for 300 francs, but only for 600 francs, nor the “Fantasia” [Op. 49], for which I ask 500 francs.  Nevertheless, the “Ballade” [the third, Op. 47], the Nocturnes ["Deux Nocturnes,” Op. 48], and Polonaise [F sharp minor, Op. 44], I shall let him have at 300 francs, for he has already formerly printed such things.  In one word, for Paris I give these five compositions for 2,000 francs.  If he does not care for them, so much the better.  I say it entre nous—­for Schlesinger will most willingly buy them.  But I should not like him to take me for a man who does not keep his word in an agreement.  “Il n’y avait qu’une convention facile d’honnete homme a honnete homme.” therefore, he should