Lettre autographe à Gérard Gaussen

“My dear old friend,
I am writing to try, as they say, to get my bearings — it has been a month since I last heard anything from the Department — but Lagarde, from New York, has just telephoned me to say that ‘they are still thinking of you for Venice, provided something can be found for Gaussen.’ I imagine you may know where you stand, whereas I do not know where I stand — do you intend to spend another season in Venice? (God, how I would understand that!) Or do you, does one, have a posting in view of your choosing? Could you let me know, for I have now been at Roquebrune for three months, and it is time to think about earning my bread… If your departure seems a long way off, tell me so, and I will accept, with a heavy heart, to return to New York, with Lagarde, who is in any case very kind. I hope I am not troubling you too much with my request. I intend to remain at Roquebrune a little longer, and my plans will depend largely on your answer… Thank you for your very kind welcome to my wife — she was deeply touched. Give my regards to your beautiful and charming wife, and believe me, my dear Gaussen, your faithful friend. Romain Gary.”

Hoppenot was replaced by Jean de Lagarde during the course of 1954, and Gary found himself in a precarious position: he was first appointed first secretary at the London embassy at the end of December, before being relieved of the post, partly because the ambassador there, Jean Chauvel, refused to accept his presence. A period of uncertainty followed, which Gary spent with Lesley Blanch at Roquebrune. According to Anissimov’s biography and other accounts, the writer went through a serious bout of depression at this time, which even led to a hospitalization. Gérard Gaussen, for his part, held the post of consul in Venice from 1950 to 1956, before going on, as Gary had thirteen years earlier, to Bern (1962–1964), then to New York from 1972 as consul general. Gary ultimately obtained the post of consul in Los Angeles, starting in February 1956.