To Citizen Sophie Boisson, Cahors
Tilh, 21st February 1797
I am infinitely grateful to you, my dear friend, for your reply. What a delight it was to receive your letter! The emotions I experienced while reading are easier to feel than to describe. I saw with joy that the words you use are proof of your heart. It is wonderful to know that it must be the same for you, that you must have for me the same friendship that I avowed for you.
How boldly Mimi expresses herself, you will think. I should say, that you are so kind as to have for me. There, I think that is properly phrased. What do you say?
Congratulations, my dear Sophie, on being restored to your
property. I am so happy for you. 
When
will we be granted the same? Only time will tell. Ah! My dear,
how difficult it is, after living in luxury, to find yourselves in our
situation. It is hard to bear. You know from experience, you can feel
for our position better than others who have not undergone
such a reversal of fortune. We suffer one for another, my parents for
me, to know that I could have laid claim to a brilliant fortune and now
find myself reduced, perhaps, to a paltry one. Their devotion to
me adds to their woes. A heart worthy of you (yes my dear, I can say
that because mutual sympathy has brought us so close) suffers at the
mere thought of these parents, so fondly loved by their daughter, being
the innocent source of her distress. Do you understand my predicament,
my
dear friend? Being required to look happy when—rather than appearing as
they would wish to see me, cheerful and merry—my face more often
betrays the anguish my heart feels for all their sorrow.
What a tract I have led myself into! My heart's natural inclination to relieve itself with a friend such as you makes me test your forbearance in forgiving complaints which can only be voiced in the bosom of friendship.
I am glad you are all well. Give your sister a big hug from me, and my regards to your father. Mama, Papa (even though they only know you through what I‘ve told them) and Madame Saint-Hilaire send their compliments to you and your sister. And I am greatly reassured in regard to all that concerns you. It gives me much joy that your brothers are safe and well.
Excuse my scribble, my dear friend, I am in a big hurry, they are waiting to take my letter to Grenade2, to the post office, which is only two leagues from here. I‘m not sure if you will be able to make out my letter, but know from it that Eleonore is your constant friend.
Eleonore.
Farewell once more! I am infinitely sad at leaving you, but it
has to be. I want, though, before going to give you a big
hug. Unfortunately I can only do so from afar. My letter
will perhaps be too
long, I have so many things to tell you when I write that I only think
of my pleasure in talking with you. You will fancy from the length of it that I cannot be in such a hurry, you will be convinced
however by its handwriting. All the best.
