ALS in French, seven pages on two sets of adjoining sheets, 5.25 x 8, May 1847. Lengthy handwritten letter to Gabriel Falampin, highlighted by a rare reference to her lover, the celebrated composer Frederic Chopin, in part (translated): “Forgive me for not having had a quarter of an hour free in the last two months for this article. You will have to wait a few more days for me, because it is not an ordinary situation in which I find myself, and I do not have a moment to myself. Moreover, Chopin has been dangerously ill while I have been stuck here, unable to leave my family for an instant, and all that has disturbed and grieved me beyond reason. Now, look, he is safe once again, and as my daughter’s marriage is also according to my wishes and desires, I am starting to be reborn. Consequently, I will not make you wait long. I have been forced to manage this matter very secretly, for reasons that I would tell you in person but that would be too long for a letter. So do not hold it against me that I did not give you the news myself. I have had to act the same way with all my friends, even the closest ones.”
Sand further explains in detail her decisions related to properties and legacies, commenting that she donates the hotel at Narbonne to Solange, making inquiries regarding her financial affairs, and referring to the rental of an apartment belonging to M. Larac in Paris: “In any event, I am giving the Narbonne house to Solange in her marriage contract, so put in order all the papers and accounts and documents you can put your hands on concerning that property, so that in two weeks’ time, when my son-in-law has arrived in Paris, I can bring him up to date on those affairs at your office. At the moment, you need to send me the most recent accounts immediately, along with something summarizing the situation with regard to the small debts I have left, separately from the mortgage debts and interest. It falls to me to take care of those last small debts, and I would like to have the latest information in order to settle the matter definitively. Therefore reply to me by every mail, I ask you.
I also ask you to pay my rent for the square to Monsieur Larac on May 15. I am expecting a payment any day now that will be partially turned over to you before May 15, but since publishers are never as rigorously punctual as I am, I ask you to advance me that amount if you have not received 1000 francs on my behalf or from me. It will only be an advance for a few days.
With regard to that rent, here are some questions and explanations that I also ask you to reply to quickly.
1) When I moved into that apartment with a rental agreement, I paid a quarter in advance, as is customary. Three years later, I do not remember whether I paid the last quarter. I do not think so. But as I then took the apartment for another year, it may be that we maintained our regular payments as if there were no balance. This is something to verify with Monsieur de Larac, so that I do not have to pay the last quarter twice from when we moved in. I should have paid him a quarter’s rent last month. He gave me an extension until May 15, and that is what I am asking you to take care of in full, in recognition of his kindness.
2) I have rented an apartment in the square for 1500 francs for the quarter starting in July, but in all probability I will not live there. Once my daughter is married, I will rarely return to Paris, and I will have a room in her house. I am sending you the rental agreement that I entered into with Monsieur de Larac for that apartment, at no. 3. If I do not want to take it, do I owe him a quarter’s rent once I give him the right to rent it starting immediately, and he always has possibilities? If so, do not tell him anything. I will tell him myself in Paris, where I will be in two weeks’ time. If by telling him now, I am not obligated to anything with regard to him, tell him immediately, but ask him not to say anything about it to Chopin, who is ill and for whom the idea of displacing the family could cause a relapse right now.” In fine condition. Falampin was the artistic director of 'L'Illustration' and manager of the financial affairs of George Sand.
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