So, in twenty minutes I shall be with you to ask counsel. As for the seductions of the prince, he caught me once, but I have too much pride to be caught again; I should pass for a ninny.
VIENNA, May, 1835. I am incapable of writing the nothings that I see come naturally to very intelligent persons; I simply put down just what comes into my head; and what came into my head was one of the things that I have at heart. Excuse me to the countess, and assure her that this is the second time I have failed over an album, and that not having the habit--and even having a horror--of them, I hope she will be indulgent to me.
Though I am not dirty, I am decidedly stupid, for I don't understand a word of what you do me the honour to say about Madame Sophie. I entreat you, have pity on my mental infirmities, and, when you make romances, put them on the level of my intellectual faculties. This may seem impertinent--it is only artless.
I have still another hour to work, and then I will come. I am busy with planning rather than writing, and I can see you _while thinking_; which is not the same as thinking of other things than you while _seeing_ you.
A thousand gracious and humble thoughts before your August Despotism.
I cannot wait till one o'clock to know if you are better, whether your hoarseness and oppression have lessened, whether the foot-bath was efficacious--in short, whether all is well. Have the charity to send me a word on these important matters--for it is important to subjects to know how their princes are.
Affectionate compliments, and accept my obeisances
You know well, my dear beloved, that my soul is not narrow enough to distinguish what is yours from what is mine. All is ours--heart, soul, body, sentiments, all, from the least word to the slightest look; from life to death. But do not ruin us, for I should send you back a hundred Austrians for your one, and you would cry out at the folly.
My Eve, adored, I have never been so happy, I have never suffered so much. A heart more ardent than the imagination is vivid is a fatal gift when complete happiness does not quench the daily thirst. I knew what I came to seek of sufferings, and I have found them. In Paris, those sufferings seemed to me the greatest of pleasures, and I was not mistaken. The two parts are equal.