Lisieux - Wednesday [11 August] [1836] 5 a.m.

«I'm writing to you today because tomorrow I'm going out as soon as I get up, to look at a small piece of land three leagues from Lisieux that I've been offered to buy. I may not be back by post time, and I don't want you to miss my letter. The house is an old abbey, large, well built and fairly well laid out; there are beautiful woods all around, a spring next to the house, and a strong stream running through the meadows. Unfortunately, to get there there is a league of bad road; so the land will be sold much more cheaply than those on the side of the main road. What's more, I'm told that a good road is going to be made that will pass at the foot of the house. So I'll see. I'd be very happy, my dear Henriette, if I could take you and your sister with me tomorrow; the ride would amuse me instead of boring me. This land is called Val-Richer.»