Science is more powerful within you than your own self; it bears you to heights from which you will return no more to be the companion of a poor woman.

What joys can I still offer you?
Ah! I would fain believe, as a wretched consolation, that God has indeed created you to make manifest his works, to chant his praises; that he has put within your breast the irresistible power that has mastered you--But no; God is good; he would keep in your heart some thoughts of the woman who adores you, of the children you are bound to protect.

It is the Evil One alone who is helping you to walk amid these fathomless abysses, these clouds of outer darkness, where the light of faith does not guide you,--nothing guides you but a terrible belief in your own faculties! Were it otherwise, would you not have seen that you have wasted nine hundred thousand francs in three years?
Oh! do me justice, you, my God on earth! I reproach you not; were we alone I would bring you, on my knees, all I possess and say, 'Take it, fling it into your furnace, turn it into smoke'; and I should laugh to see it float away in vapor.

Were you poor, I would beg without shame for the coal to light your furnace.

Oh! could my body yield your hateful Alkahest, I would fling myself upon those fires with joy, since your glory, your delight is in that unfound secret.