Alfred de VIGNY (1797-1863). L.A.S., October 22, 1845, to Delphine de Girardin; 3 pages in-8. Nice letter (in response to an invitation to come and hear Rachel; Delphine had made an allusion to the stanzas of La Maison du Berger sur le chemin de fer). "Do you remember a friend even when he remains at your door and when he is devoted to you? That is strange! It is usually those who are forgotten. - But why didn't this idea come to you six days ago? I would not have invited the beautiful ladies and the blond and brunette cousins who are coming to spend the evening at my house today, Wednesday. [...] I have only travelled six hundred leagues by rail and I have always been very bored, but I would gladly go this way to your door if I were free. I would even make them a hymn to be free, but I am the one who hired; I am taken. In the time of Jehan de Saintré, there was the Lady-of-the-Bachelorettes; I am the man-of-the-Bachelorettes and tonight more than ever. - Here I am sorry and full of remorse as if it were my fault and I will be able to find to appease my conscience only at your place, some morning or some evening, as close as I can if you are in the mood to forgive those who are not guilty and love you as I do with a very good friendship"... Correspondence, vol. V, 45-111.