"Magnificent without any doubt!" I answered, smiling.
"I've always been a little vain of it," continued he, waving his curls upon his shoulders; "but I value it more since I know it pleases you."
"Oh! for that matter," I replied, "if you had your head shaved, I should not love you any the less."
This answer, I don't know why, seemed to affect him deeply. During the rest of the evening he was thoughtful and gloomy.
August 24th.
I thought it glorious to be able to communicate to him the overtures which his father has made me, and the project they suggested to me. I said to him:
"What a joy it would be to me to release you from this prison, and yet with what bitter sadness this joy would be mingled! But wherever you go, we will find some means of writing and of seeing each other. The friendship between us is one of those bonds which destiny cannot break."
"Oh, yes!" replied he in a sarcastic tone, "you will come to see me once a year, upon my birthday, and will be careful to bring me a bouquet."
He burst into a fit of laughter which much resembled that of the other day.
August 30th.