Alexandre DUMAS père Lot n° 313

2 L.A.S.,[1845-1856], to Victor Hugo; 1 and 3 pages in-8. Beautiful testimonies of the friendship between Alexandre Dumas and Victor Hugo. Saint-Germain Place des Medicis[end of June 1845]. "Bishop Price Napoleon comes to my house on Monday. He would be happy to see you and I to introduce you to him. He invites her to lunch or dinner: "we will wait for you with open arms and open hearts"... [Early April 1856]. He announces to his "dear and great friend" the wedding of his daughter Marie, who wants Hugo to be "by proxy his witness - with Lamartine. We often see each other and we never see each other without talking about you. Besides, you are one of the needs of my heart, my dear Victor - and I speak of you, your old friend, as a young indiscreet lover speaks of his mistress. It is one of the beautiful and great mysteries of nature - it is one of God's sweet mercies that men who can separate bodies have no power over hearts and souls. As I have said as I have written as I will repeat and write again and again my great and dear one - my body is in Paris but my heart is in Brussels and Guernsey - where you have been - where you are"... He would like the poet to make him a beautiful copy of the verses he has dedicated to him[To Alexander D., Les Contemplations, V, 15], and he recalls Mary's prayer: "You will tell him that through Boulanger you consent to be his witness". He attached some autographs for the sale of a friend of Mrs. Hugo's. "We often talk about you too with Made B. She loves you and admires you tenderly. Goodbye, good Victor. God unites us - either in France or in exile or in Heaven"... At the top, an autographed "r" from Hugo confirms that he has replied.