Louis ARAGON (1897-1982). Autograph manuscript signed, with sending L.A.S. [to André Gide], La Demoiselle aux Principes, [1918]; 5 and 1pages small in-4 (25.5 x 22 cm). Complete manuscript of this tale collected in Le libertinage (Éditions de la Nouvelle Revue Française, 1924). It was first published in Les Écrits nouveaux (II, 10, August-September 1918). Marked, according to Aragon himself, by a certain dandyism, this tale, inspired by Gide in the style of Paludes, was dedicated to André Gide. "The Marchande offered violets: Denis bought them, then, embarrassed, handed them to Céline, who was the first woman to come along. She believed in two truths: the immortality of the soul and the omnipotence of love"... The tale includes a 12-verse poem composed by Denis. The manuscript is neatly drawn up in turquoise ink on sheets of heavy wove paper and signed "Louis Aragon". It remained unknown to the editors of the Œuvres romanesques complètes, who did not record any manuscript for this tale. It is accompanied by a letter to André Gide, dated Wednesday 27th [February or March 1918]: "Maître J'ose vous envoyer ce conte, tout indigne qu'il soit de sa présenter devant vous. More eager to be judged on my good will than on my meager means, I have conceived the project of dedicating it to you: will you allow me to do so? Already too indiscreet in asking you to read this clumsy essay, I want to limit myself here to assuring you of my particular and respectful admiration, which knows no bounds"...