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

LA FAYETTE, Marie Madeleine, Countess of Pioche de la Vergne [Paris, 1634 – id., 1693], French writer. Autograph letter addressed to Gilles Ménage. August 17, 1657; 3 pages, in-4°. A letter combining legal concerns, friendship, and the search for housing in Paris. “I am now at ease regarding our affairs, since you have discussed them with Mr. Fedeau and share his view that the entire lawsuit is in a state where nothing can be done until after Countess Martin’s decision, and by that time we will be in Paris to make our own decisions. I agree with you that this matteris a fierce debate, and I doubt that not only the upcoming session of Parliament but three more after it will bring it to a close; if we were to delay our creditors, they would never see a ruling. But it is a pleasure to be at ease and to have no business matters to attend to. You have acted on our behalf with such thoughtful care that I am beginning to understand more than ever that you speak the absolute truth when you say you are the best friend in the world? I know roughly what half of Mr. des’s house is like—it would be too small for us if I were to take only half of a house. I want it to be at least half of a beautiful house, and that one isn’t to my liking. I cannot decide on a place to live until our home in the suburbs is rented out. I find what you wrote to me about [...] [Mommedi] so wonderfully beautiful that if I ever write a novel, he will be the hero. I hold Mr. de Launay in the highest regard, even though I do not know him personally, but I would find it difficult to agree to see him take Mr. de Bigueries’s place. It seems to me that there is no one in France who could do so. I understand better than you could how much we lost in the game, Mr. President, and ifhe were not dead, I assure you that I would not even consider moving our case out of the Grand Chamber. Monsieur de Bayard asks me every day to convey a thousand compliments to you on his behalf and to assure you of his eagerness to be of service to you. I am doing so today to make up for all the times I have failed to do so; I am currently in fairly good health [...] the friendship and esteem I have for you will last forever.” An old copy of the letter is enclosed.