Farewell My Love

Dear my darling wife Lucie and our beloved daughter,

    Please to do not weep for me, love. Rather, remember my love for you and take precious care of our daughter, who is so much like you in the most magnificent of ways. I deeply apologize for putting our family in this position, but when I came to Paris I did it with the complete intention to help the people here escape the wrath of oppression. The letter I received from Gabelle made me obliged to come here with the conclusion that I could relieve him from his charges of treason by explaining the misunderstanding that he was helping me by working on my orders to help the commoners and peasants, who actually were satirically condemning him. I wrongly assumed I could halt the revolution’s terrible violence and bolster a benign resolution. I did not deem conceivable that the revolutionaries would punish me for the past offenses of the prior generations of my family. I did not know of your father’s past of his witnessing of my family’s treachery, which landed him in prison, otherwise I would never have done anything that risked putting you in the danger and anguish you now face. I strongly believe your father had no notion of remembrance or recognition of writing that condemning letter. All you can do now is comfort him and let him and others comfort you. I know you are strong enough to escape this miserable country and return to your peacefulness of England… and of home. Tomorrow I face the Guillotine with the composure that only comes from knowing you will be okay. Kiss my daughter for me and never forget my unconditional love for you.

Forever Yours,

Charles Darnay