Today, perhaps I should be in possession of all the reasonings, prevarications, philosophical, philanthropic, and political arguments that would dispense me from committing what my lawyer called a folly.

What I resolved to do was natural, if a little crazy; in it lay something impossible, which gave me strength. It was a kind of wager that I made with myself where I was both the gambler and the stakes.

Spain has its bullfights and Rome its gladiators, but Paris is proud of its Palais Royal, whose frenetic roulettes afford spectators the pleasure of watching blood flow freely without the risk of them slithering around in it.

But what becomes of virtue during those delightful journeys where imagination overcomes all obstacles?

They all want to find things in their lovers that satisfy their vanity. It is themselves they love in us!

When we reached the boulevards, the rain stopped and the sky cleared again. Life bloomed on this quiet, tranquil face.

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Photographed by Costanza Canali 

Production Design by Gregor Barratt

Producers: Octave Marsal and César Domboy

Production Assistants: Akram Souwed and Sacha Kirnidis

Model: Tess Barthélemy