* * * * *
_Thursday, noon._
My Darling:
They have informed me that the supreme humiliation is set for the day
after to-morrow. I expected it; I was prepared for it; but in spite of
that the blow was terrible. I shall stand fast, as I promised you I
would. I shall draw the force I still need for that awful day from the
deep well of your love, from the affection of you all; from the memory
of our dear children; from the supreme hope that some day the truth will
come to light; but on every side I must feel the warmth of the affection
that you all bear me. I must feel that you are struggling with me.
Search always; let there be no truce, no rest.
I hope to see you soon, to gather strength from your loving eyes. Let us
sustain each other through everything and against everything.
Your love is necessary to my life; without it the mainspring of my being
would be broken.
When I am gone persuade them all that they must not stop their efforts.
Take measures at once, so that you may be able to come to see me on
Saturday and the following days at the prison of la Santé. It is there,
above all, that I must feel that I am sustained.
Find out also what I asked you yesterday--when I am to leave, how I am
to go, etc.
We must be prepared for everything; we must not let ourselves be
surprised.
Until the blessed moment, soon to come, when I shall see you, I embrace
you.