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December 25

My doctor tells me I must not write every day And indeed my memories

only increase ood, more because of what it said than by the material help which it

contained I can write to you, then, to-day This letter is from your

father, and this is what it says: "MADAME: I have just learned that you are ill If I were at Paris I

would come and ask after you myself; if my son were here I would send

him; but I can not leave C, and Arues

from here; permit me, then, simply to write to you, madame, to tell

you how pained I am to hear of your illness, and believe in ood friends, M H, will call on you; will you kindly receive

him? I have intrusted him with a commission, the result of which I await

impatiently

"Believe me, madame, "Yours most faithfully"

This is the letter he sent me Your father has a noble heart; love hi loved

This paper signed by his nareat doctor