52 - LA FAYETTE, Marie Madeleine, née Pioche de la Vergne, Countess of [Paris, 1634 – id., 1693], French writer.

LA FAYETTE, Marie Madeleine, née Pioche de la Vergne, Countess of [Paris, 1634 – id., 1693], French writer. Autograph letter addressed to Gilles Ménage; September 3, [1655]; 2 pages, in-4°. A magnificent letter in which Madame de La Fayette discusses the King of Sweden’s entry into Poland, the affairs of Cardinal de Retz, and her relationship with Madame de Sévigné. “I am very pleased that the news of Bussy’s imprisonment is not true. I take an interest in his affairs because of Madame de Sévigné; she is currently only thirty-five leagues from here, and I would not forgive her for not coming here, especially since I do not have to go to Paris this winter and our separation will therefore not last much longer. The King of Sweden’s entry into Poland strikes me as a matter of great consequence for the King of Poland, and I think his wife, the queen, would do well to consider settling in France so she might come here in case of misfortune. The Count has so quickly given me such a high opinion of his King that it seems to me he will conquer the entire north in no time at all. Please send me a little news about Denise at your convenience, and if she is still deeply involved in the affairs of the Count de Rets—it has been a long time since you wrote to me about anything concerning the Cardinal— I gather that you have not consoled me regarding what has happened to me either, as if nothing had happened; yet a thousand people who are not nearly as close to me as you are have written me long letters of sympathy and, at the same time, rejoice that I have escaped it, for, after all—and you should know this—one can very well die from such matters, and you have spoken of it to me as if it were a trifle. I think I am somewhat at odds with you, for I find your letters furiously curt. Mine do not convey my intentions as I would like, if they do not convince you that I am, at the same time, your most humble servant.”