I have thought too often of myself; not enough of you, of the children. Your suffering, that of our families, is as great as mine. Our hearts must be lifted high above it all, so that we shall see only the end which we must attain—our honor!
I will stand upright as long as my strength permits, to sustain you with all my ardor, with all the depth of my love.
Courage, then, dear Lucie—courage and perseverance. We have our little ones to defend.
Embrace our brothers and sisters for me; tell them that I have received the letters addressed to the Ile de Ré, and that I shall write to them soon.
For you my fondest kisses.
Alfred.
I forgot to tell you that I received yesterday the two reviews of March 15, but nothing else.
Dear little Pierre:
Papa sends good big kisses to you, also to little Jeanne. Papa thinks often of both of you. You must show little Jeanne how to make beautiful towers with the wooden blocks, very high, such as I made for you, and which toppled down so well. Be very good. Give good caresses to your mamma when she is sorrowful. Be very gentle and kind also to grandmother and grandfather. Set good, little traps for your aunts. When papa comes back from his journey you will come to the railway station to meet him, with little Jeanne, with mamma, with every one.