63 - 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. September 12, [1656]; 3 pages, in-4°. A superb letter from Madame de La Fayette that reveals her friendly ties with her former tutor while relaying the latest gossip regarding the disappearance of Cardinal de Retz. “I don’t find it strange that you write to me in haste when it is ten o’clock in the evening, but I do find it strange that you waited so long to write to me; and it seems to me that when one feels like writing to people, one knows how to take one’s time so as not to be in a hurry to finish one’s letter to me. [...] I always begin my letters with those to the people I love most: so that anyone who saw the order in which I write my letters would see the place my friends hold in my heart—and judging by this, you have reason to be pleased, for I very often begin my letters with yours. I’ll eagerly await your account of the visit you’ll have paid to Chr… and of how she treated the ladies in the towns she passed through; I very much doubt that those in Paris are pleased with her. I do not understand why the court gave her such a magnificent reception. Deon asked me for some news that you have not mentioned to me—namely, that the Count de Rets has left incognito from the place where he was staying, and no one knows what has become of him. I am very upset that you wrote to me saying you do not have high hopes for the matter concerning Mr. de Bayard; I implore you once again to do everything you can—I have been told that you are in love with Maître de Monbazon. Tell me a little about what’s going on, for I’d very much like to be informed of what’s happening in your heart, and I even believe it’s in my best interest that someone like that not get too far ahead of himself; for although I am merely your friend, I am convinced thata mistress would cause me harm, and I believe that all mistresses cause harm to friends, and that it is impossible to love a friend who has a mistress as much as one would if she had none. Tell me a little about your feelings on this matter [...] Believe me, I beg you, that I love you far more than you realize.” An old copy of the letter is enclosed.