I did not protest, first, because I dislike scandal, and, second, because I thought that your predecessors,

MM.

Debienne and Poligny, who were always charming to me, had neglected, before leaving, to mention my little fads to you. I have now received a reply from those gentlemen to my letter asking for an explanation, and this reply proves that you know all about my memorandum-book and, consequently, that you are treating me with outrageous contempt.

If you wish to live in peace, you must not begin by taking away my private box.