Letter from Mrs. Martin to Mr. Martin CF 46
To Mr. Martin, on a business trip
May June ? 1869
My dear Louis,
This morning I received your letter, which I was awaiting with great impatience. How surprised I was to see that, against all hope, you had managed to do some business (Mr. Martin went to Paris from time to time to deal with the big lace houses, orders from Point d'Alençon) . It is Our Lady of Victories who protected you.
I went to see little Céline on Sunday (she was born on April 28, 869. She is very strong and vigorous, if you see how she tramples; she has gained a pound and a half in her month.
You don't need to worry about children; unfortunately I will of course never have more. Yet I still hoped to have a little boy, but if the good Lord does not want it, I resign myself to his will.
Everyone probably knows you're not here, because I don't see anyone. I haven't seen any thieves yet. I watch in the store, I dare not go up. Friday night, I stayed up until one o'clock in the morning.
When you receive this letter, I will be busy arranging your workbench; you mustn't get angry, I won't lose anything, not even an old square, not a piece of spring, well, nothing, and then it will be very clean above and below! You will not say that "I only moved the dust", because there will be no more.
I told the little girls that you were in Paris and that you had passed through Lisieux, that you would be back on Thursday morning, but that you could not see them at Le Mans, despite the great desire you had for it.
I embrace you with all my heart, I am so happy today, at the thought of seeing you again, that I cannot work.
Your wife who loves you more than her life.
