MADAME DE ROSEMONDE TO THE PRESIDENTE DE TOURVEL (DICTATED)
I HAVE ONLY THIS instant received, my dearest fair, your letter of the 11th,hn and the gentle reproaches which it contains. Confess that you were quite disposed to make one more; and that, if you had not recollected that you were my daughter, you would have really scolded me. Yet you would have been very unjust! It was the desire and hope I had of being able to reply to you myself which made me postpone this from day to day; and you see that, even today, I am obliged to borrow the hand of my maid. My wretched rheumatism has come back again; it has taken up its abode this time in the right arm, and I am absolutely crippled. That is what it is, young and fresh as you are, to have so old a friend! One suffers for those incongruities.
As soon as my pains give me a little respite, I promise to have a long talk with you. In the meantime, I merely tell you that I have received your two letters; that they would have redoubled, had that been possible, my tender friendship for you; and that I shall never cease to take a very lively interest in all that concerns you.
My nephew too is somewhat indisposed, but in no danger, nor is there need for the least anxiety; it is a slight indisposition which, as it appears to me, affects his humor more than his health. We see hardly anything of him now.
His retreat and your departure do not add to the gaiety of our little circle. The little Volanges, especially, misses you furiously, and yawns consumedlyho all day long. Since the last few days, in particular, she has done us the honor of falling into a profound sleep every afternoon.
Adieu, my dearest fair; I am always your very good friend, your mamma, your sister even, did my great age permit that title. In short, I am attached to you by all the most affectionate sentiments.
SIGNED: ADELAIDE, FOR MADAME DE ROSEMONDE.
AT THE CHATEAU DE … , 14TH OCTOBER, 17–.