I thought of you twenty times, and wished you as often
beside me. You would have been enchanted to be a listener, and I
should have been tenfold enchanted to see you listen. * * *

"We have been to the fair, to see a great fright of a woman,
bigger than Riberpre by a whole head. * * * And now, if you fancy
all the maids of honor run mad, you will not fancy amiss. Eight
days ago, Madame de Ludre, Coetlogon, and little De Rouvroi were
bitten by a puppy belonging to Theobon, and the puppy has died
mad; so Ludre, Coetlogon, and De Rouvroi set off this morning for
the coast, to be dipped three times in the sea. 'Tis a dismal
journey. Benserade is in despair about it. Theobon does not choose
to go, though she had a little bite too. The queen, however,
objects to her being in waiting till the issue of the adventure is
known. Don't you think Ludre resembles Andromeda? For my part, I
see her fastened to the rock, and Treville coming, on a winged
horse, to deliver her from the monster. * * * Ah, Bourdaloue! what
divine truths you told us to-day about death! Madame de la Fayette
heard him for the first time in her life, and was transported with
admiration. She is enchanted with your remembrances. * * * A scene
took place yesterday at Mademoiselle's, which I enjoyed extremely.
In comes Madame de Gevres, full of her airs and graces. She looked
as if she expected I should give her my poet; but, 'faith, I owed
her an affront for her behavior the other day, so I didn't budge.
Mademoiselle was in bed; Madame de Gevres was therefore obliged to
go lower down; no very pleasant thing that! Mademoiselle calls for
drink; somebody must present the napkin; Madame de Gevres begins
to draw off the glove from her skinny hand; I gave a nudge to
Madame d'Arpajou, who was above me; she understands me, draws off
her glove, and, advancing a step with a very good grace, cuts
short the duchess, and takes and presents the napkin. The duchess
was quite confounded; she had made her way up, and got off her
gloves, and all to see the napkin presented before her by Madame
d'Arpajou! My dear, I am a wicked creature; I was in a state of
delight; and indeed what could have been better done? Would any
one but Madame de Gevres have thought of depriving Madame
d'Arpajou of an honor which fell so naturally to her share,
standing as she did by the bedside? It was as good as a cordial to
Madame