Heather

“Monsieur Guillaume naturally thought that this sinister personage had an eye to the till of the Cat and Racket. After quietly observing the mute duel which was going on between his master and the stranger, the eldest of the apprentices, having seen that the young man was stealthily watching the windows of the third floor, ventured to place himself on the stone flag where Monsieur Guillaume was standing. He took two steps out into the street, raised his head, and fancied that he caught sight of Mademoiselle Augustine Guillaume in hasty retreat”
― Honoré de Balzac, Works of Honore de Balzac

“This short novel is the opening work of the Scènes de la vie privée, the first volume of La Comédie humaine.  The novella was originally entitled Gloire et Malheur (Glory and Misfortune) when it was written in 1829.  Published by Mame-Delaunay in the following year, it was followed by four revised editions. The final edition was published by Furne in 1842, appearing under the title of La Maison du chat-qui-pelote.”
― Honoré de Balzac, Works of Honore de Balzac

“The Oratorian boarding school in Vendôme, which Balzac was sent to at a young age.  It was a gruelling and miserable place to live, with severe monastic rules.”
― Honoré de Balzac, Works of Honore de Balzac

“i don’t know what living a balanced life feels like
when i am sad
i don’t cry i pour
when i am happy
i don’t smile i glow
when i am angry
i don’t yell i burn
the good thing about
feeling in extremes
is when i love
i give them wings
but perhaps
that isn't
such a good thing
cause they always
tend to leave and
you should see me
when my heart is broken
i don't grieve
i shatter”
― Rupi Kaur, Milk and honey