Juliette.
December 5th, 5 p.m., 1837.
How kind you are, my Toto, to have come and relieved the suspense I was in as to what had happened in Court.[71] Heavens, how well you spoke! I was so moved and so convinced while I listened, that I forgot even to admire you, yet I have never known you finer or more eloquent. Why must the case be adjourned for a week? Is it to allow time for intrigues against the incorruptible consciences of my lords the judges? I should have given worlds for the verdict to have been delivered to-day; first because it would relieve you of an anxiety as annoying as it is fatiguing, secondly because I myself crave repose, and since this devil of a lawsuit has come on the scene I cannot sleep at night, and lastly because I shall then see you oftener, or at least so I hope.
While I was waiting for you just now I copied a few passages from the letters of Mdlle. de Lespinasse about the C. D.[72] and the S.[73] of her period. Her opinions then, fit our own times absolutely: the same absurdities, the same platitudes, and the same petty triumphs! It would be pitiable were it not so grotesque. Nothing seems to have altered in the last sixty years; there are the identical bourgeois in the identical Rue Saint Denis, the same men and women of the world—nothing is missing. They have not grown old, they are still in good health. Stupidity and bad taste are the best agents for the maintenance of society in all its pristine foolishness. Here am I drivelling on just as if I knew what I was talking about. It would be a nice set-out if I attempted to write! I might just as well present myself as a candidate for the Senate. Please forgive me. Your lawsuit is the cause of my chatter, but I will not transgress again. I love you far too much to go out of my way to make a fool of myself.
Juliette.
| Receipts for the Month of December 1837 | |||
| Dec. | Frs. | Sous. | Liards. |
| Cash in hand | 4 | 0 | 3 |
| 1. Money earned by my Toto | 51 | 4 | 0 |
| 4. Cash from my darling | 5 | 10 | 0 |
| 6. Money earned by my dear one | 44 | 0 | 0 |
| 9. Cash from my Toto’s purse | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| 12. ” ” ” ” ” ” | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| 13. ” ” ” ” ” ” | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| 14. Money earned by my darling | 45 | 0 | 0 |
| 17. Cash from my adored one | 10 | 2 | 0 |
| 18. ” ” ” ” ” ” | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| 19. Money earned by my beloved | 60 | 0 | 0 |
| 22. Cash from my Toto | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 24. ” ” ” ” ” | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| 26. ” ” ” ” ” | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 28. Money earned by my Toto | 102 | 12 | 0 |
| 30. Money earned by my darling | 100 | 9 | 0 |
| Plus the money for the earring and ring | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 466 | 19 | 3 |
| Expenditure for the Month of December 1837 | ||||
| Frs. | Sous. | Liards. | ||
| Food and wine | 99 | 2 | 3 | |
| Coal | 1 | 1 | 0 | |
| Lighting | 21 | 6 | 0 | |
| Household expenses and postage | 16 | 0 | 0 | |
| Baths, illness | 8 | 1 | 0 | ½ |
| General expenditure | 29 | 8 | 0 | |
| Incidental expenses and pocket-money | 5 | 8 | 0 | ½ |
| Dress | 41 | 5 | 0 | |
| Incidental expenses and pocket-money | 5 | 8 | 0 | ½ |
| Dress | 41 | 5 | 0 | |
| Washing | 16 | 5 | 0 | |
| Debts and pawnbroker | 151 | 6 | 0 | ½ |
| Wages | 20 | 13 | 0 | |
| To the Lanvins | 4 | 2 | 0 | ½ |
| Total | 413 | 19 | 5 | |
| Cash in hand | 53 | 0 | 0 | |
| 466 | 19 | 5 | [74] | |
To Toto: 9 luncheons.
Dinners to 10 persons.