I have just sent your letter (for which I thank you) to Madame Cornu, enclosing it in a letter from your troubadour, in which I permitted myself to give bluntly my conception of things.

The two letters will be placed under the eyes of the lady and will teach her a little about aesthetics.

I saw l’Autre last evening, and I wept several times.  It did me good, really!  How tender and exalting it is!  What a charming work and how they love the author!  I missed you.  I wanted to give you a kiss like a little child.  My oppressed heart is easier, thank you.  I think that it will get better!  There were a lot of people there.  Berton and his son were recalled twice.

CLIX.  TO GUSTAVE FLAUBERT Nohant, 3 April, 1870

Your old troubadour has passed through cruel anguish, Maurice has been seriously, dangerously ill.[Footnote:  With diptheria.] Favre, my own doctor, the only one in whom I have confidence, hastened to us in time.  After that Lolo had violent attacks of fever, other terrors!  At last our savior went off this morning leaving us almost tranquil and our invalids went out to walk in the garden for the first time.—­But they still want a great deal of care and oversight, and I shall not leave them for two or three weeks.  If then you are awaiting me in Paris, and the sun calls you elsewhere, have no regret about it.  I shall try to go to see you in Croisset from Paris between the dawn and the dusk sometime.

At least tell me how you are, what you are doing, if you are on your feet in every way.

My invalids and my well ones send you their affectionate regards, and I kiss you as I love you; it is not little.

G. Sand

My friend Favre has quite a fancy for you and wants to know you.  He is not a physician who seeks practice, he only practices for his friends, and he is offended if they want to pay him.  Your personality interests him, that is all, and I have promised to present him to you, if you are willing.  He is something more than a physician, I don’t know what exactly, A seeker—­after what?—­ Everything.  He is amusing, original and interesting to the utmost degree.  You must tell me if you want to see him, otherwise I shall manage for him not to think of it any more.  Answer about this matter.

CLX.  TO GEORGE SAND Monday morning, 11 o’clock

I felt that something unpleasant had happened to you, because I had just written to you for news when your letter was brought to me this morning.  I fished mine back from the porter; here is a second one.

Poor dear master!  How uneasy you must have been and Madame Maurice also.  You do not tell me what he had (Maurice).  In a few days before the end of the week, write to confirm to me that everything has turned out well.  The trouble lies, I think, with the abominable winter from which we are emerging!  One hears of nothing but illnesses and funerals!  My poor servant is still at the Dubois hospital, and I am distressed when I go to see him.  For two months now he has been confined to his bed suffering horribly.