Very likely there may be some young girl in Havre full of enthusiasm for my verses,--of which they are not worthy; that would not surprise me at all; nothing is more common.
See! look at that lovely coffer of ebony inlaid with mother-of-pearl, and edged with that iron-work as fine as lace.

That coffer belonged to Pope Leo X., and was given to me by the Duchesse de Chaulieu, who received it from the king of Spain.

I use it to hold the letters I receive from ladies and young girls living in every quarter of Europe.
Oh! I assure you I feel the utmost respect for these flowers of the soul, cut and sent in moments of enthusiasm that are worthy of all reverence.

Yes, to me the impulse of a heart is a noble and sublime thing! Others--scoffers--light their cigars with such letters, or give them to their wives for curl-papers; but I, who am a bachelor, monsieur, I have too much delicacy not to preserve these artless offerings--so fresh, so disinterested--in a tabernacle of their own.

In fact, I guard them with a species of veneration, and at my death they will be burned before my eyes.