BARBEY D'AUREVILLY (Jules). Autograph letter signed to a lady. S.l., "lundy et en hâte". One p. in-8. "A lunch with Clocheton and a migraine headache prevented me from going to dinner with you. On that, no apologies, but regrets. As soon as I can, I'll go and talk to you about your friendly tangles, which will never be tangles. Do you know what you and Elle are doing? I'll go and tell you. I'm a cynic! With your female sensitivities, you're sybarites in friendship who roll rose leaves up your behinds to make yourselves suffer! No matter how well rolled, rolled rose leaves will never make thorns. They'll never be anything but rose pellets and friendship pellets! You won't come off! Distinguished people have fragrant pitch on their minds, and they never get rid of the feelings they inspire. You stick to the things you like! That's why I can say that I am, all yours and forever... I BELIEVE I LEFT A KEY, DIFORM AND UGLY LIKE THE ONE I LOVE, at Mrs O'Gherty's [Louisa O'Héguerty, who entertained in her salon in the rue de Trévise]. THIS IS THE KEY TO MY BLUE-BEARD CABINET. Keep it for me if you find it." Jules Barbey d'Aurevilly loved a Spaniard who, according to him, had charm and character despite a certain ugliness, and who inspired the character of Vellini in Une Vieille maîtresse.