the truth, it demands its honor, and it shall have it. I shall not belie your efforts.
Sooner or later, my darling, our happiness will return to us. I have the firm conviction of this. The hardest of all is to have the patience that is absolutely necessary. Happy is it for you that you have a powerful diversion—action.
Until to-morrow, my darling, when I shall have the pleasure of seeing you, of talking with you, of kissing you!
A thousand kisses.
Your devoted husband,
Alfred.
Good kisses to the dear ones.
JANUARY AND FEBRUARY, 1895.
THE PRISON OF SAINT-MARTIN DE RE.
19 January, 1895.
My Darling:
Thursday evening, toward ten o'clock, they came to wake me to bring me here, where I arrived only last night. I do not want to speak of my journey, it would break your heart. Know only that I have heard the legitimate cries of a brave and generous people against him whom they believe to be a traitor, the lowest of wretches. I am no longer sure if I have a heart.
Oh, what a sacrifice I made the day of my condemnation, when I promised you that I should not kill myself! What a sacrifice I made to the name of my poor, dear, little children, in bearing what I am under-
