captivity. But I would not have allowed myself this kind of independence by disburdening myself of another's happiness which I yet found it so difficult to make. Events have brought about what I could not have achieved myself without a kind of crime. How I cherish the fetters where I am free to love you wholly, and where I may always think of you! . . . Persevere in your generous efforts, serve your country, save liberty; every one of your actions is a delight to me, and your conduct makes my triumph. . . . Oh, you who are as dear as you deserve to be, temper the impatience which torments you; in thinking of my fetters, remember also what I owe to them? . . .
I have cordially approved the resolution of the departments to act only in concert. I know not whether these delays, by giving the enemy so many opportunities for making his preparations, may not prove fatal to the good cause. . . . True, the majority of Parisians would open their arms to their brothers from the departments; they are looking forward to them as deliverers. . . . After so much delay, there should be no partial action; they ought to move in a body now. Their chief aim should be to secure the Post Office, to maintain perfect discipline, to enlighten public opinion by lucid and truthful writings, to attend carefully to the provisions, to the means of defraying the expenses, and their wise regulation. These are the matters to which the deputies should attend, and which require careful consideration. There are nearly always people enough fitted for action, but only a few able to lead. . . .
It seems to me that, even independently of the general interest, every department requires the preservation of unity; for, under the false pretence that they wish to destroy this unity, the Communes, once most favourably inclined, have been set against them. To take any extreme measure, therefore, would be to incur the risk of terrible internal divisions. . . .
But do you know that you speak very lightly of sacrificing your life, and that you seem to have come to this conclusion quite independently of me? How do you expect me to look upon it? Is it decreed that we can only deserve each other by running to destruction? And, if fate should not permit us to be soon reunited, must we, therefore, abandon all hope of ever meeting again, and see only the tomb where our elements may mingle? . . . Adieu, my well-beloved!
Yes; for these two, which the fatality of passion had linked together, while the law of society kept them asunder—who had met in their common love
