Sleep tranquilly then, my darling, and do not give way to any care; think only of our joy when we are once more in each other's arms—to forget so quickly these sad, dark days!
Until we meet—soon, my darling! soon shall I have the joy of embracing you and our good, dear ones.
A thousand kisses while I wait for that happy moment.
Alfred.
23 December, 1894.
My Darling:
I suffer much, but I pity you still more than myself. I know how much you love me. Your heart must bleed. On my side, my adored one, my thought has always been of you night and day.
To be innocent, to have lived a life without a stain, and to be condemned for the most monstrous crime that a soldier can commit! What could be more terrible? It seems to me at times that I am the victim of an awful nightmare.
It is for you alone that I have resisted until to-day; it is for you alone, my adored one, that I have borne my long agony. Will my strength hold out to the end? I cannot tell. No one but you can give me courage. It is only from your love that I can draw it.
At times I hope that God, who has not abandoned me thus far, will end this martyrdom of an innocent man; that He will bring to light the Guilty One.
But shall I be strong enough to hold out until that time?
I have signed my appeal for a revision. I dare not
