Magnificent loving letter from François MITTERRAND, in 1938.

François Mitterrand (1916.1996)

Autograph letter signed to Marie-Louise Terrasse, known as Catherine Langeais.

Two pages in 4°. [Fort d’Ivry]. November 29, 1938.

“I was hardly used to letting go of my feelings, to allowing the suffering to live within me”

Magnificent loving letter from the young soldier Mitterrand.

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“My very darling Marie-Louise, What a joy to have seen you! And what a maze of letters that do not achieve their goal! I am unhappy with the events and not with you. I am so happy to have found you again this evening, my beloved little peach. But all of this: our momentary separation, our missed meeting, is nothing, nothing, nothing since again this evening you told me that you love me, and since I love you. Let's put it all in the category of troubles and not talk about it anymore!

What can I tell you in this hasty letter other than that I love you, that I adore you, that I am only happy with you , my darling fiancée? I'm furious, I'm jealous, I'm worried about everything because I love you. And it's rather exceptional. I was hardly used to letting go of my feelings, to allowing the suffering to live within me (since it happens to him for nothing now). I would prefer to install it in other people's homes. Fortunately I have my whole life to get used to this new state of mind!

Honey next time you write to me, tell me you love me. More than anything. I'm hardly worth it, but I need this certainty so much! You have been as I hoped when you wrote to me every day during our separation. I thank you very much. Tomorrow I hope to receive the letter that should have reached me this morning. She will be welcome since she will tell me of your love.

Quickly my darling, the moment when I can hold you in my arms, taste my sweet peach, and talk to you at length. The moments we experienced recently were so wonderful as we felt completely united! My little girl, see you soon. Tomorrow evening go to Denfert around 6:30 p.m. -6:20 p.m. if you can, and certainly on Thursday I will be able to take you for an hour in the country that one day we will never leave... My fiancée whom I adore, good evening. I love you too much to tell you that well. I kiss you, my love, and I no longer know that the rest of the world exists. Francis. »

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Catherine Langeais (1923.1998), whose real name is Marie-Louise Terrasse, met François Mitterrand on January 28, 1938, during the École Normale Supérieure ball, with whom, although only 15 years old, she became engaged. Mitterrand wrote more than 300 letters to the woman he nicknamed Zou.