File

This file contains four letters and two postcards chronicling the epistolary relationship between Léontine Poutré and Hercule Martin during the month of January 1926.

In January 1926, Léontine and Hercule exchanged a few last missives before their wedding, which was scheduled for February 3 of that year. As if composed in haste, the letters are sometimes not dated and there are fewer of them than in the preceding months. While Hercule's letters become shorter and less frequent, those from Léontine remain lengthy.

The first letters reveal that Hercule asked Léontine to marry him at the very beginning of January. His January 4 letter describes the doubt and nervousness that gripped him before he proposed, and the rays of hope that led him to go ahead. "At times like these, it is as if a new horizon appears, or rather that a veil drops and lets me see, in a flash, something that I must believe in and hope for." Overcome with joy, Léontine mentions several times that she is grateful and looking forward to their future. Just a few days before their wedding, she openly expresses her feelings. "Oh! You know, the other evening at the notary's office, when we embraced—it felt as if we were alone in the world—it gave me a chill, right to the tips of my hair. Never have I felt such sweet joy… Oh—my good friend, I am so happy, I am almost afraid of my happiness." She tells him that she is impatient for their wedding, and imagines their life together. "I am very busy during the day, and obviously think about you often… but in the evening, my mind races, and I see us together like real friends, arm in arm, or alone in our apartment chatting about a thousand things, major projects, plans of all kinds—where we combine work and happiness." Naturally more reserved when expressing his emotions, Hercule nonetheless exhibits a certain enthusiasm when recounting a visit from a married couple of his acquaintance. "You know, I am tempted to covet their happiness. They appear happy and contented."

The future bride and groom also discuss announcing their engagement to their families, and preparing for the wedding. In her January 28 letter, Léontine mentions having received a visit from the priest, who advised them to take a train to the Pacific, apparently for their honeymoon.

Léontine's missive from January 11 was written on the back of a postcard with a black and white photograph of the military barracks in St. Johns (Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu). Hercule's last message was written on the back of a postcard with a sepia portrait of a young woman. The file also contains envelopes and the rough drafts of Léontine's letters.