L E T T E R S

113Letter Nr. 28Paris, June 28, 1837My most dearly beloved Stephen! 1Why have you not written to me for such a long time? I received your lastletter in May of 1834! Since then I have had no, absolutely no, information! Youcan have no idea how much this disturbs me! I consider the love that unites us asbrothers to be a most sacred bond for me on this earth. The expression of that loveon your part would be my sole, the greatest delight of my heart.I wrote to you several times in the past years - already twice this year. 2Why is there no response? I hope that this letter will definitely reach you, and so Ihave included here, in abbreviated form, all of the most important things I want tosay to you. Write to me as soon as possible! My address is: Rue Notre Dame desChamps 11. Moreover, if you should lose contact with me for a year or more,know that your letter will always reach me if it is addressed: a Paris, au CollegeStanislas, au soins de l'abbe Buquet.Thus, I am first asking you to write to me soon. Tell me where you are andhow things are going for you. Send details about everyone in the family - themore details the better, for I am intensely interested in every such detail.There is no excuse for you not to write. Many people here receive lettersregularly from their families. All they have to do is post the letters. However, ifyou should happen to need special permission from government sources to sendletters, do not hesitate to obtain it. Obviously you do not realize how much I amsuffering as a result of receiving no news from you.Finally, immediately, without delay, let me know what is happening toAlexandra, for our relationship cannot go on as it has. I don't know how I shouldplan for the future, since I have had no word from her for several years.Please be perfectly open in what you write. Do not be concerned that whatyou write will worry me. On the contrary, it would indeed worry me if, at thisstage, you thought that you could not write the whole truth to me.