_The_ Viscount de Valmont _to_ Azolan, _his Huntsman._
(Enclosed in the foregoing.)
You must be a stupid fellow, indeed, to set out this morning, and not
have known that Madame de Tourvel was going away also; or, if you knew
it, not to have given me notice. To what purpose is it, then, you spend
my money, if you only get drunk with the men, and loiter your time in
courting the waiting maids, if you do not give me better information
of what is going forward?—This is entirely owing to your negligence;
therefore, I now give you notice, if such another happens in this
business, it shall be the last you will be guilty of in my service.
You must inform me of every thing that happens at Madame de Tourvel’s,
relative to her health; whether she sleeps well; whether she is
melancholy or cheerful; if she goes abroad often, and where; if she
sees much company, and who goes there; how she passes her time; whether
she is out of temper with her women, particularly the one that was with
her here; how she employs her time when alone; if, when she reads, she
is composed, or stops to muse; and the same when she writes. Remember,
also, to make a friend of whoever carries the letters to the post
office: often do that business for him; and, when he accepts it, send
away only those you think of no consequence, and send me the rest,
especially those for Madame de Volanges, if there should be any.
Settle your matters so as to be still the favourite of Julia. If
she has another, as you thought, bring her to consent to share her
favours; and do not be so ridiculous as to give yourself airs of
jealousy: you will be only circumstanced as your superiors; but, if
your rival should be troublesome, or if you perceive he takes up too
much of Julia’s time in the day, so that she should not be so often
with her mistress, to observe her, you must, by some means or other,
drive him away, or pick a quarrel with him; do not be afraid of the
consequences,—I will support you: above all, leave the house as
little as possible; for it is by assiduity only you can make your
observations with certainty. If, by chance, any of the servants should
be discharged, offer yourself in their room, as if no longer in my
service: in such case, you must say you left me to get into a more
quiet and regular service. Endeavour, as much as possible, to be
hired; I shall, notwithstanding, keep you still in mine during the
time; and you will be as you was before at the Duchess of ——, and
Madame de Tourvel will also reward you in the end.
If you was zealous and skilful, those instructions should be
sufficient: but, to assist one and the other, I send you some money:
the enclosed bill on my steward entitles you to call on him for
twenty-five louis, for I suppose you have no money. You will make
use of as much as is necessary, to prevail on Julia to settle a
correspondence with me; the remainder to treat the servants: let it be
as often as you can in the porter’s lodge, that he may like to see you.
However, do not forget, it is your services I mean to pay, and not your
pleasures.
Accustom Julia, betimes, to observe and report every thing, even what
she may think the most trifling; it is better she should write ten
useless lines, than omit a material one; and what often appears a
matter of indifference, is quite otherwise. As I must be instantly
informed, if any thing should happen you think of consequence after you
receive this letter, send off Philip directly on the message horse, to
fix himself at ——, and remain there until farther orders; it will be
a stage in case of necessity; but, for common correspondence, the post
will be sufficient.
Take great care not to lose this letter; read it over every day; not
only not to forget any thing, but also to be certain you have it.
Do, in a few words every thing you ought, now I honour you with my
confidence. You very well know, if I am satisfied with your conduct,
you shall be satisfied with me.
_Oct._ 3. 17—.