Paul VERLAINE (1844-1896). L.A.S., Hôpital Broussais December 29 [1886], to Léon Vanier; 4 pages in-12. With "the staircase spirit that characterizes me", he worries about "the sums Chanzy may recognize as owing to me", about which Vanier is evasive. He concluded that this sum was quite small: "It goes without saying that this is only a supposition, which you can do what you like with, but you are aware of my concerns. Nevertheless, as long as I have a few hundred francs assured on this side, I'll be able to see things clearly as soon as I get out"... He assures her that he has "my very serious plans then, from Sagesse. [...] I work a lot. I have 3 short stories in progress: one from Contes tout ainsi, one from à ma fille, the other... I'm dreaming of making a long, very innocent story for this new year's book that I'd like to be a chefdœuvral"... He awaits the proofs of biographies: "I'm making an amusing Mérat" [the Parnassian poet Albert Mérat]... "I leave you to your new year's gifts, books, gilding, etc., and wish you a happy new year in the meantime"...