[292] I went, I came, impelled by mighty Love.
A lady to whom she had imparted her design, revealed the whole to her
family, who, in despair at her folly, would fain have concealed it
from her husband, who happened to be absent from Paris at that time,
and who would have been better pleased at an exploit of gallantry in
his amiable consort, than such a ridiculous expedition as this. The
husband’s mother came to Madame de Lavardin, and, bathed in tears,
related the whole story, while the latter could scarcely refrain from
laughing in her face; and the next time she saw my daughter, asked her
if she could forgive her for having been the instrument of preventing
her brother from marrying this pretty creature. Madame de la Fayette
was also, in her turn, informed of this tragical story, and repeated it
to me with great glee. She desires me to ask you if you are still angry
with her; she maintains that no one can ever repent he did not marry a
mad woman.
We dare not mention a syllable of this to Mademoiselle de Grignan,[293]
her friend, who for some time past, has been ruminating upon a
pilgrimage, and, as a preparative, has lately observed a profound
silence toward us all. What think you of this curious narration? Has it
tired you? Are you satisfied now? Adieu, my son. Marshal de Schomberg
is marching to Germany at the head of twenty-five thousand men, to
hasten the emperor’s signing.[294] The gazette will inform you of the
rest. Adieu.
[293] Sister of Count de Grignan.
[294] This relates to the truce which was on the point of being
concluded at Ratisbon, and was published at Paris on the 5th of
October following.