Ican easily conceive, my dear child, that you are vexed at being obliged to stay two day longer at Versailles, only on disagreeable affairs. But your husband is absent, and you must take care of his interest. Besides, do you remember the excellent advice of Madame de Lambert?

‘Whilst you are young, form your character, establish your reputation, settle your affairs: when you are older, you will find more difficulty in doing it. In youth, every thing assists you, every thing offers itself to you. Young people rule without knowing it. At a more advanced age, you meet with no help. You are no longer possessed of that seducing charm which diffuses itself over every thing. You have nothing left you but reflection and truth which do not often govern mankind.’

I spent a delightful evening last night with Madame de Limours. The Ambassador from – whom I do not know, is arrived there, and, almost as soon as he came in, asked if you was returned from Versailles. You became the subject of general conversation: every one praised your conduct, your talents, your person, your mildness, and that natural and lively chearfulness, which so well becomes you, and makes you so amiable. Oh! how pleasing to the heart, and how flattering to one's vanity, is it to hear it said it is to you she owes these principles, those virtues, and this character. One is not obliged to conceal this kind of pride; on the contrary, one may avow it, and even boast of it openly, and prove that one is susceptible to it. Of all the compliments paid you, none have flattered me so much as those of the Ambassador … because he did not know me, and was insensible of the interest I took in the conversation.

Yes, my dear child! I with great pleasure see the time arriving, when we shall return to Languedoc. What can I regret at Paris, since this time I take you with me?