Vous me pardonere Madame si ie ne uous est pas ecrit la peur de uous
anuier me la fait fair ie fini Madame uous embrasan.
Tres humble tres obeisantes petite fille
M. ADÉLÄIDE DE SAUOIE.
VERSAILLES, November 13 [1696].
You will pardon me, Madame, if I have not written you, the fear of
ennuying you made me do it. I end, Madame, embracing you.
Very humble, very obedient grand-daughter,
M. ADÉLAÏDE DE SAVOIE.
[1696].
The trip to Marly prevented me from writing to you by the last courier
as I had planned, my dear grandmamma. It is not to be believed
how little time I have. I do what you ordered me about Madame de
Maintenon. I have much affection for her, and confidence in her
advice. Believe, my dear grandmamma, all that she writes you about me,
though I do not deserve it; but I would like you to have the pleasure
of it, for I count on your love [_amitié_], and I never forget all the
marks you have given me of it.
VERSAILLES, August, 1697.
I have had great joy in the taking of Barcelona, my dear grandmamma,
for I am a good Frenchwoman, and I feel for all that pleases the
king, to whom I am attached as much as you can wish. Though I do not
enter much into affairs of State, I understand that we shall soon
have peace, and that will be another joy to me, for I have many in
this country, my dear grandmamma, and I am very certain you share my
happiness because of all your goodness to me.
December 3 [three days before the marriage ceremony].
I am well assured, my dear grandmamma, that you take part in the
accomplishment of my happiness; do me the same justice on the feelings
that I have for you, which will always be full of tenderness and
respect. I assure you in my change of state I shall be always the same
through life.
VERSAILLES, February 28, 1698.
I hope to repair, when I know how to write, the faults that I make
now, and to let you see, my dear grandmamma, that I write to you
rarely because I write so badly; but I love you tenderly, none the
less. I am going to a ball.
VERSAILLES, March 25, 1698.
I hope I write pretty well, my dear grandmamma; I have a master who
takes such pains I should do very wrong not to profit by the care they
take of everything concerning me.
The Duchesse du Lude has come to me; which delights me, and it is
true that Mme. de Maintenon sees me as often as she can. I think I
can assure you that those two ladies love me. Never doubt, my dear
grandmamma, that I love you as much as I should.