PARIS, Friday, June 28, 1675.
Madame de Vins expressed herself very affectionately about you
yesterday, my dear; that is, in her way, but it is not a bad one; there
seemed no _interlineations_ in what she said.
We have no news. The king’s good star has brought the Duke of Lorraine
and the Prince of Orange across the Meuse again. M. de Turenne has
now elbow-room, so that we are no longer confined in any part. I
am rejoiced that my letters are so pleasing to you; I can hardly
think they are so agreeable as you say they are. I know they have no
stiffness in them. Our good cardinal is gone to solitude; his departure
gave me sorrow, and reminded me of yours. I have long remarked our
cruel separations to the four corners of the world. It is very cold; we
are obliged to have a fire, and so are you, which is more astonishing
still. You judge well respecting _Quantova_;[113] if she can not return
to her old ways, she will push her authority and grandeur beyond
the clouds; but she must prepare to be loved the whole year without
scruple: in the mean time her house is crowded by the whole court,
visits are paid alternately, and her consequence is unbounded. Be not
uneasy respecting my journey to Brittany; you are too good and too
attentive to my health. I will have nothing to do with La Mousse; the
dullness of others weighs me down more than my own. I have no time to
go to Livri. I have made a vow to expedite your affairs. I shall give
your compliments to Madame de Villars and Madame de la Fayette. The
latter has still a little fever upon her. Adieu, my dearest child,
believe me to be most sincerely yours.
[113] Quantova is Mme. de Montespan.