so--tell me, _do_ you? No, no; Charlotte could never think that! If I _did_ ever tell you, Charlotte, all that I could tell you, it’s because I love you with all my heart, and because I’m sad, and haunted by memories.... To-morrow, I shall be alone all day; I won’t see my brother-in-law, or any one else. My door will be fast shut, and I shall return to you, and tell you all I am feeling.” St. Petersburg, October 16, 1797. “The date, my dear Charlotte, will be enough to tell you what I am mournfully thinking of. I began my day by going to church to hear a mass for Her; and to listen there to those dear sacred names of Hers. The mass was said by two Trappists, and I was very sorry that I had not asked the Abbé to say it.... What odd incidents there are in the history of our revolution! I await the portrait with a respectful interest, and I thank you in advance for all the pleasure it will give me. Ah, my dear Charlotte, what a sad day! My heart aches so deeply and feels so heavy that it’s as if I were carrying a load, and if I don’t think clearly, I am soon enough reminded of everything by the pain of it. I can’t speak of anything but Her. To-day is mail-day; so I must defer until next time my answer to your last letter, for I must go and talk about her to some other friends, who loved her too. I have the dress, and it’s charming. That’s all I can say about it, Adieu. I love you for Her and for yourself, with all my heart.” St. Petersburg, October 16, 1797.