L E T T E R S

554I add this about myself: I expect that Madame will mitigate or completelywithdraw the rebukes and scolding’s which I received from Madame in the pastfor entering into relation with people 664 Madame does not like, considering thatMadame may have come on a little too strong about these people previously, andthese relationships have not in the past, and not now, compromise me. Indeed,with known insights, they have been useful to me. About this I am absolutelysure.As I have always received Madame’s observations gratefully, so have Iretained them. And I assure her that I will be most scrupulous about usingdiscretion in the future. Why then, even right before my departure, should I havereceived some kind of scolding? I was trying to figure out why. Undoubtedly ithad to do with continuing my housekeeping. This would require a longerexplanation. I get around to making that longer explanation, Madame will tell methat I was right. For now, I will only say that I have profited by past experience. Ihave made very sensible arrangements so that by economy in personal expenses Imight get myself out of debt, instead of falling further into debt. My rent ischeaper by half. As of October 15 th , we are living at Boulevard Monstparnasse 25.All of Madame’s scolding’s are to me, as a mark of Madame’s kindnesstowards me! With God’s help, I will repay them by grumbling at Napoleon!I was purposely using a smaller sheet of paper, in order to hold myself incheck, and not permit myself, this first time, to engage in any lengthy written chitchat...and here I am adding another scrap of paper, which is already soiled.Grace! Pardon! I finish. I beg Madame most humbly to forgave me for myindelicate abuse of the freedom, which, as a result of my insistence and begging,permits me to write a few words to my Lady. I would apologize for somethingelse; but surely Madame (will not be scandalized, or be offended this time by theall too light and familiar tone in which I address my Lady. If there was even asingle word that may have seemed less proper, Madame knows that it was notsuch by knowledge and intent), x was not scandalized by the overly familiar way Ispoke of holy things. Madame will understand that these are the babblings and664