Part 28 (1/2)

However, I must point out to you that in accordance with very precise instructions we received from the Syndicat des editeurs (Publishers' Union) regarding the interpretation of directives included in the German Decree of 26 April, article 5, we find ourselves in the position of being required to send all royalties received from the sale of Jewish authors' works to their ”blocked account.” According to this principle, it is stated that ”publishers must pay royalties to Jewish authors by sending them to their bank account after receiving confirmation from the bank that the account is blocked.”

In addition, I am returning the letter you received from GIBE Films (a copy of which I have kept). According to information I received from a reliable source, a project of this type can only be undertaken if the author of the book to be adapted to the screen is of Aryan origin, both in this zone and the other.*10 I can therefore only be involved in such a project when the author whose work is to be made into a film provides me with the most formal guarantee on this point. I can therefore only be involved in such a project when the author whose work is to be made into a film provides me with the most formal guarantee on this point.

Irene Nemirovsky to Robert Esmenard30 October 1941 I have just received your letter offering me a monthly payment of 3,000 francs for the year 1942. I greatly appreciate Monsieur Michel's att.i.tude towards me. I am truly most grateful both to him and to you; the faithful friends.h.i.+p you both have shown me is as precious to me as the material support you wish to give me by doing this. However, you know that if this money must be held in a blocked bank account, it would be of no use to me whatsoever.

I wonder if under the circ.u.mstances, it would not be simpler to send the monthly payments to my friend, Mlle Dumot,*11 who lives with me and is the author of a novel ent.i.tled who lives with me and is the author of a novel ent.i.tled Les Biens de ce Monde Les Biens de ce Monde*12 whose ma.n.u.script is with Monsieur Sabatier. [. . .] whose ma.n.u.script is with Monsieur Sabatier. [. . .]

Mlle Dumot is definitely Aryan and can give you any proof of this you may require. I have known her since I was a child and if she could come to an agreement with you about the monthly payments, she would look after my interests. [. . .]

Telegram from Michel Epstein to R. Esmenard and A. Sabatier 13 July 1942 Irene suddenly taken today destination Pithiviers*13 (Loiret)-hope you can intercede urgently-trying to telephone no success. (Loiret)-hope you can intercede urgently-trying to telephone no success.

Michel Epstein.

Telegram from R. Esmenard and A. Sabatier to Michel Epstein July 1942 Just received your telegram. Immediately making joint effort by Morand, Gra.s.set, Albin Michel. Yours.

Irene Nemirovsky's final two letters:*14

Toulon S/Arrox 13 July 1942-5 o'clock [written in pencil and legible] [written in pencil and legible]

My dearest love, for the moment I am at the police station where I ate some blackcurrants and redcurrants while waiting for them to come and get me. It is most important to stay calm, I believe it won't be for very long. I thought we could also ask Caillaux and Father Dimnet for help. What do you think?

I shower my darling daughters with kisses, tell Denise to be good and sensible . . . You are in my heart, as well as Babet, may the good Lord protect you. As for me, I feel calm and strong.

If you can send me anything, I think my second pair of gla.s.ses are in the other suitcase (in the wallet). Books please, and also if possible a bit of salted b.u.t.ter. Goodbye my love!

Thursday morning-July 1942 Pithiviers [written in pencil and legible] [written in pencil and legible]

My dearest love, my cherished children, I think we are leaving today. Courage and hope. You are in my heart, my loved ones. May G.o.d help us all.

Michel Epstein to Andre Sabatier14 July 1942 I tried to reach you by telephone yesterday without success. I have sent both you and Monsieur Esmenard a telegram. The police took my wife away yesterday. It appears she is going to the concentration camp in Pithiviers (Loiret).

Reason: general order against stateless Jews between the ages of sixteen and forty-five. My wife is Catholic and our children are French. Can anything be done to help her?

Andre Sabatier's reply In any case will need several days. Yours Sabatier.

Andre Sabatier to J. Benoist-Mechin, 15 July 1942 Secretary of State to the Vice President of the Council of Ministers Our author and friend I. Nemirovsky has just been taken to Pithiviers from Issy-l'eveque where she was living. Her husband has just informed me of this. A white Russian (Jewish as you know), never been involved in any political activities, a novelist of very great talent, having always paid the greatest tribute to her adopted country, mother of two little girls aged five and ten. I beg you to do everything you can. Thank you in advance and yours very truly.

Telegram from Michel Epstein to R. Esmenard and A. Sabatier16 July 1942 My wife must be at Pithiviers by now-Think useful to intercede at the regional police headquarters in Dijon-Sous-Prefet Autun and authorities Pithiviers. Michel Epstein. Autun and authorities Pithiviers. Michel Epstein.

Telegram from Michel Epstein to Robert Esmenard16 July 1942 Thank you dear friend-I put my hope in you. Michel Epstein.

Telegram from Michel Epstein to Andre Sabatier17 July 1942 Counting on you to send telegram with news good or bad. Thank you dear friend.

Lebrun*15 to Michel Epstein-Telegram17 July 1942 to Michel Epstein-Telegram17 July 1942 Pointless sending package as haven't seen your wife.

Telegram from Michel Epstein to Andre Sabatier18 July 1942 No news of my wife-Don't know where she is-Try to find out and tell me truth by telegram-with advance notice can phone me day or night. ISSY-L'eVeQUE.