I pray you give every one my love. Receive the most ardent kisses of your husband, who loves you, who lives only in the thought of you.
Alfred.
14 February, 1895.
My dear Lucie:
The few minutes that I passed with you were very sweet to me, although it was impossible for me to tell you all that I had within my heart.
My time passed while I looked at you, trying to impress your image upon my very being, asking myself by what inconceivable fatality I was separated from you.
Some day when they will tell my story it will seem unbelievable. But what we must tell ourselves now is that I must be rehabilitated. My name must shine anew with all the lustre it should never have lost. I would rather see my children dead than think that the name which they bear is a dishonored one.
This is a vital question for us all. It is not possible to live without honor. I cannot tell you this often enough.
I shall soon come to a new station on my dolorous way.