Apta

Well, to-morrow early, in your cell, you will receive from me an envelope with a slip of paper in it, containing some violets, and the words 'Parva sed Apta -- à bientôt' written in violet ink.

Peter Ibbetson George Du Maurier 1865

Ankle-deep in snow, we walk to warm, well-lighted "Magna sed Apta," up the moonlit avenue.

Peter Ibbetson George Du Maurier 1865

During this interesting journey of Mary's in the flesh, we met every night at "Magna sed Apta" in the spirit, as usual; and I was made to participate in every incident of it.

Peter Ibbetson George Du Maurier 1865

I awoke in the little lumber-room of "Parva sed Apta," where the door had always been that led to and from our palace of delight; but there was no door any longer -- nothing but a blank wall ....

Peter Ibbetson George Du Maurier 1865

Do you remember 'Parva sed Apta, le petit pavilion,' as you used to call it?

Peter Ibbetson George Du Maurier 1865

But English beauty in Passy was soon to receive a memorable addition to its ranks in the person of a certain Madame Seraskier, who came with an invalid little daughter to live in the house so modestly described in gold as "Parva sed Apta."

Peter Ibbetson George Du Maurier 1865

I felt there must be some mistake, and after much time and effort was able to sink into sleep again, but with the same result: the blank wall, the certainty that "Magna sed Apta" was closed forever, that

Peter Ibbetson George Du Maurier 1865

"Venus of Milo" showed to far greater advantage in "Magna sed Apta" than at the Louvre.

Peter Ibbetson George Du Maurier 1865

And thence, jumping into a hansom, we would be whisked through Piccadilly and the park to the Arc de Triomphe home to "Magna sed Apta," Rue de la Pompe, Passy (a charming drive, and not a bit too long), just in time for dinner.

Peter Ibbetson George Du Maurier 1865

And then the picture-galleries, the museums, the botanical and zoological gardens of all countries -- "Magna sed Apta" had space for them all, even to the Elgin Marbles room of the British Museum, which I added myself.

Peter Ibbetson George Du Maurier 1865