_The_ Presidente de Tourvel _to_ Madame de Volanges.
Mr. de Valmont is gone this morning, Madam: you seemed so anxiously
to wish for this event, that I have thought it my duty to impart
it to you. Madame de Rosemonde is inconsolable for the loss of her
nephew, whose company was really very pleasing: she spent the whole
morning in talking to me of him with her usual sensibility; she was
inexhaustible in his praise. I thought myself bound to attend to it
without interruption; and indeed I must own she was right on many
heads; besides, I was sensible I was the cause of this separation, and
have no prospect of making her amends for the pleasure of which I have
deprived her. You know I am not naturally inclined to gaiety, and our
manner of life here will not contribute much to increase it.
Had I not been following your advice, I should have been inclined to
think I had acted too precipitately; for I was really hurt at the grief
I had caused my respectable friend; I was so much moved, that I could
have mingled my tears with hers.
We now live on the hope that you will accept the invitation that
Mr. de Valmont will give you from Madame de Rosemonde, to come and
pass a little time with her. I hope you have no doubt of the great
satisfaction your compliance will give me; and indeed you should make
us amends. I shall be happy in this opportunity of having the pleasure
of being sooner acquainted with Mademoiselle de Volanges, and to be
near you, to assure you more and more of the respectful sentiments with
which I am, &c.
_Aug._ 29, 17—.