This ebook was transcribed by Les Bowler [Picture: Book cover] ALPHONSE DAUDET * * * * * * * * * * Robert Helmont _DIARY OF A RECLUSE_ _1870–1871_ TRANSLATED BY LAURA ENSOR * * * * * [Picture: Civilians leaving their homes] _WITH ILLUSTRATIONS BY PICARD AND MONTÉGUT_ LONDON GEORGE ROUTLEDGE AND SONS, LIMITED BROADWAY, LUDGATE HILL MANCHESTER AND NEW YORK 1892 * * * * * [Picture: Country Scene] LIST OF PLATES PAGE “Read that, Mr. Robert, said the good man” 18 “Seeing me so thoroughly determined, the Keeper pressed my 35 hand” “Colaquet managed to take us tolerably straight” 56 “Old Guillard brought out a large jug of sparkling wine” 68 “They began drinking out of their caps” 74 “He lay sprawling at full length on the stone bench” 79 “At that instant a man rushed across the moonlit orchard” 111 The Watch 128 “It was a balloon” 140 “I found a pigeon” 148 “We crossed a heavy punt” 160 “I seized hold of the chain with both hands and lowered 171 myself into the river” “They blew out his brains with a revolver” 186 “I heard the clinking of glasses, the uncorking of bottles” 191 “Forgetful of the lost harvest in preparing for that of the 199 future” [Picture: Invalid lying on a sofa] PREFACE