GRIGNAN, Friday, November 10, 1690.
Where do you think I am, sir? Did you not know I was in Brittany? Our
Corbinelli must have told you so. After having been there sixteen
months with my son, I thought it would be very pleasant to spend the
winter here with my daughter. This plan of a journey of a hundred and
fifty leagues at first appeared a castle in the air; but affection
rendered it so easy, that in fact I executed it between the 3d and
24th of October, on which day I arrived at Robinet’s gate, where I was
received by Madame de Grignan with open arms, and with so much joy,
affection, and gratitude, that I thought I had not come soon enough,
nor from a sufficiently great distance. After this, sir, tell me that
friendship is not a fine thing! it makes me often think of you, and
wish to see you here once more during my life. We shall be here the
whole of this winter, and the next summer; if you do not find a moment
to come and see us, I shall think you have forgotten me. You will not
know this house again, it is so much improved; but you will find its
owners still abounding with esteem for you; and me, sir, possessing a
regard for you, capable of driving our _friend_ to madness, and worthy
of your paying us this visit.