Cecilia Volanges _to the_ Marchioness de Merteuil.
Madam,
My Mamma is indisposed; she will not go out to-day, and I must keep her
company: thus I am deprived the honour of attending you to the opera. I
assure you I regret more the loss of your company than the performance.
I hope you are persuaded of this, for I have a great affection for
you. Be so good to tell the Chevalier Danceny, I have not yet got the
collection which he mentioned, and that if he can bring it himself
to-morrow, I shall be obliged to him. If he comes to-day, he will be
told we are not at home; but the reason is, Mamma sees no company. I
hope she will be better to-morrow.