We are expecting you, we are preparing a mid-Lent fantasy; try to take part. Laughter is a splendid medicine. We shall give you a costume; they tell me that you were very good as a pastry cook at Pauline's! If you are better, be certain it is because you have gotten out of your rut and have distracted yourself a little. Paris is good for you, you are too much alone yonder in your lovely house. Come and work, at our house; how perfectly easy to send on a box of books!
Send word when you are coming so that I can have a carriage at the station at Chateauroux.
CCLIII. TO GEORGE SAND
Thursday, 20 March, 1873
Dear master,
The gigantic Tourgueneff is at this moment leaving here and we have just sworn a solemn oath. You will have us at dinner the 12th of April, Easter Eve.
It has not been a small job to get to that point, it is so difficult to succeed in anything, no matter what.
For my part nothing would prevent me from going tomorrow But our friend seems to me to enjoy very little liberty and I myself have engagements the first week in April.
I am going this evening to two costume balls! Tell me after that that I am not young.
A thousand affectionate greetings from your old troubadour who embraces you.
Read as an example of modern fetidness, in the last number of the Vie Parisienne, the article on Marion Delorme. It ought to be framed, if, however, anything fetid can be framed. But nowadays people don't look so closely.