My dear friend:
I regret that I was not able to grasp your hand to-night--I leave in a
moment to join the Morocco Division----[32]
If you receive this letter, you will know I have fallen in the attack
on Mont-sans-nom. Do not pity me. When I was a child, I experienced
then a profound emotion in reading the lines of the Cid----
"To die for country is not a sad fate,
In death there is glorious immortality!"
This is not the time to grow sentimental, because I have only a few
minutes more--It is raining hard outside and I have builded a roaring
wood fire in my room--I have burned not a few of my old papers, as you
advised me----
If I am unlucky, you will find a letter which I wish you would send to
Madame X---- together with some bric-à-brac and souvenirs you will find
in my room----
There is also a box on which is written "Destroy in case of my death":
burn it!
I wish to thank you, my dear friend, for all you have done for me since
I have known you--You have been to me a devoted brother and I have for
you a deep affection----