Yvette to Henri.

Belmont 15-4-47

Your letter gave me much pleasure, my friend and it was a great comfort for me. Gave me much to think about; about you about me….

(Discusses the questions he raises in last letter. Describes countryside, beauties of France. Etc Talks about Indo china, war peoples’ responses.

You ask me a question at the end of your letter. I must reply to it. And it is very hard indeed. I said to you “ I cannot and I don’t want to be your wife”. Why? You ask. In truth, Henry, I no longer know what made me write that, more than a year ago. I don’t know any more. But reading it now. This forgotten phrase, I would understand this: “I cannot” you well know why one cannot. One cannot when there is not a profound desire, physically and mentally to share, to take. “I cannot”. Yes, there are people who, without desire, without tenderness, without longing to join one life with another, do it for other reasons: interest, social life, pity etc. But that’s not me and it’s not you who would do it. That’s a simple matter, darling. You ask whether I hated you so much that day. No I have never hated you, never… Be courageous, Henry, leave Palestine; listen to Beethoven’s 7^th Symphony. That’s what you must do. I wish I could write music to sing you what I have in my head and my heart. Two opposing fragments of the 7^th. You must go from one to the other. Can’t I do anything to help you, friend? Tell me.

E t’embrasse,

Your Yvette,