Henri to Yvette.

650 Gen Tpt Coy
Italy

2 September

I am writing this letter, as in the old days, on my steering wheel. I have come to the conclusion that it’s still the most tranquil place for me to write my letters…. Three days ago I suddenly received three letters from you. Imagine that, after a silence of three weeks. Furthermore you explain to me so gently the reason for your long silence – and I understand it much better… Let me say that along with your crisis, it’s the case that many of my letters have not turned up. I also sent you some flowers by a soldier who had been discharged from the Army. You didn’t receive them. It’s only a little thing but how large a thing it was for me… The fact that you never received this humble token of love caused me, quite simply, great pain. But all this pales before your problem. You are tired, darling. It’s a year since we left each other at a railway station. A whole year! Waiting all that time is hard and also tiring…. All I know is that you are a young woman. That you are a beautiful woman. That you are a woman conscious of your instincts. That when the evening comes and you are alone under the starry sky, solitude weighs heavily on you and you young body makes you feel bad. And the more you love me, the greater the pain. And what sort of statement could I make to you about that? [She’s obviously said that she can’t stand her celibacy. ]What to do?]

I have confidence in you, that’s to say in your intelligence and in your body. And you will know – free of all other considerations- to react following you nature, to keep the good health of your being, of your body and of your spirit…. Yesterday I received a letter from Bonca (a mate from Spain) from Beyrouth, with two charming little photos of you and Ouri… One other thing: I couldn’t send you any money last month. I had to pay back some pressing debts… Excuse me darling.