Letter from Mrs. Martin to her brother Isidore CF 69
5 September 1871.
It's been a long time since you wrote to me. I'm worried about you, especially about your wife. How is she ? And the children? And you, do you still work as much? Is business going well? Mine wouldn't be too bad if I dared to go for it, but I'm still scared. However, I sold Point d'Alençon for three thousand francs last month.
My children are very worried if I will soon be a godmother, and if it will be during the holidays, so that I can take them?
Yesterday we took them for a drive, six leagues from Alencon; we were unlucky because it rained most of the afternoon. Marie was very upset to see that we had spent our money not to have fun!
I'm already used to the house on rue Saint‑Blaise; if you only knew how much I long for you to come and see us there! When will the three little girls be brought to me? Don't let my prediction frighten you, because I've noticed that it's always the opposite of what I think that happens; also, I distrust myself and my ideas, especially when things matter.
This is happening now; I am in discussion with Louis about a matter that I will communicate to you. You know he sold his Crédit Foncier on the entreaties I made to him. However, it happens that we have rushed too much, the funds have risen quite a bit; if we had waited until now, we would have lost twelve hundred francs less. Finally, it's done. But what teases my husband the most is having the funds to do nothing.
This morning, while reading the Stock Exchange newspaper, I saw the Pontifical obligations; immediately I thought that it should be excellent later, because I firmly believe in the near triumph and the restoration of the Holy Father in his States. If so, it seems to me that it would be a very good investment. So tell me, please, what you think of it; Louis is undecided about this; I urge him continually, I know I'll manage to decide, but I wouldn't want him to have only my opinion. He does not know that I am consulting you on this, however, he has great confidence in you and will do what you advise.
