Except that a little strength has returned to me, its state is still the
same, and I endure it calmly and patiently; for God comes to my help, and
gives me courage and firmness. He will help me, believe me, to find all
the joys of the soul and to be strong in mind. Amen.

"May you live happy!--Your deeply respectful son,
"KARL-LUDWIG SAND."

A month after this letter came tender answers from all the family. We
will quote only that of Sand's mother, because it completes the idea
which the reader may have formed already of this great-hearted woman, as
her son always calls her.

"DEAR, INEXPRESSIBLY DEAR KARL,--How Sweet it was to me to see the
writing of your beloved hand after so long a time! No journey would have
been so painful and no road so long as to prevent me from coming to you,
and I would go, in deep and infinite love, to any end of the earth in the
mere hope of catching sight of you.

"But, as I well know both your tender affection and your profound anxiety
for me, and as you give me, so firmly and upon such manly reflection,
reasons against which I can say nothing, and which I can but honour, it
shall be, my well-beloved Karl, as you have wished and decided. We will
continue, without speech, to communicate our thoughts; but be satisfied,
nothing can separate us; I enfold you in my soul, and my material
thoughts watch over you.

"May this infinite love which upholds us, strengthens us, and leads us
all to a better life, preserve, dear Karl, your courage and firmness.