I embrace you for myself and for all my brood.

G. Sand

CXLV.  TO GEORGE SAND Wednesday afternoon.

Dear master,

Your commission was done yesterday at one o’clock.  The princess in my presence took some notes on what you wanted, in order to look after it at once.  She seemed to me very glad to do you a service.

People talk of nothing but the death of Noir!  The general sentiment is fear, nothing else!

Into what miserable ways we are plunged!  There is so much imbecility in the air that one gets ferocious.  I am less indignant than disgusted!  What do you think of these gentlemen who come to confer armed with pistols and sword canes!  And of this person, of this prince, who lives in the midst of an arsenal and makes use of it?  Pretty!  Pretty!

What a sweet letter you wrote me day before yesterday!  But your friendship blinds you, dear good master.  I do not belong to the tribe you mention.  I am acquainted with myself, I know what I lack!  And I am enormously lacking.

In losing my poor Bouilhet, I lost my midwife, it was he who saw into my thought more clearly than I did myself.  His death has left a void that I notice more each day.  What is the use of making concessions?  Why force oneself?  I am quite resolved, on the contrary, to write in future for my personal satisfaction, and without any constraint.  Come what may!

CXLVI.  TO GUSTAVE FLAUBERT Nohant, 15 January, 1870

L’Affranchi is for Tuesday.  I am working hurriedly to finish my corrections and I leave Tuesday morning.  Come to dine with me at Magny’s at six o’clock.  Can you?  If not, am I to keep a seat for you in my box?  A word during the day of Tuesday, to my lodgings.  You won’t be forced to swallow down the entire performance if it bores you.

I love you and I embrace you for myself and for my brood.  Thank you for Edme.

G. Sand

CXLVII.  TO GUSTAVE FLAUBERT Paris, 19 January, 1870

Dear friend of my heart, I did not see you in the theatre.  The play applauded and hissed, more applauded than hissed.  Barton very beautiful, Sarah very pretty, but no interest in the characters and too many second-rate actors, not good.—­I do not think that it is a success.

I am better.  Yet I am not bold enough to go to your house Saturday and to return from such a distance in this severe cold.  I saw Theo this evening, I told him to come to dine with us both on Saturday at Magny’s.  Do say yes, it is I who invite you, and we shall have a quiet private room.  After that we will smoke at my place.

Plauchut would not be able to go to you.  He was invited to the prince’s.

A word if it is no.  Nothing if it is yes.  So I don’t want you to write to me.  I saw Tourgueneff and I told him all that I think of him.  He was as surprised as a child.  We spoke ill of you.