Certainly my ennui was greatly relieved by the visits of Montr?sor, which
grew very frequent, the lad appearing to have conceived a kindness for me;
and during those three weeks our fellowship at nights over a bottle or two
engendered naturally enough a friendship and an intimacy between us.
I had written to Andrea on the morrow of my return to Paris, to tell him
how kindly Montr?sor had dealt with me, and some ten days later the
following letter was brought me by the lieutenant--to whom, for safety, it
had been forwarded:
"MY VERY DEAR GASTON:
I have no words wherewith to express my joy at the good news you send me,
which terminates the anxiety that has been mine since you left us on the
disastrous morning of our nuptials.
The uncertainty touching your fate, the fear that the worst might have
befallen you, and the realisation that I--for whom you have done so much--
might do naught for you in your hour of need, has been the one cloud to mar
the sunshine of my own bliss.
That cloud your letter has dispelled, and the knowledge of your safety
renders my happiness complete.
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