Well, my dear child, does the affair succeed? Will Mons. d’ Ostalis obtain his wishes, and be appointed to the Embassy? Send me a messenger to tell me the Yes … and even the No; that No which will make you remain at home! … In preference to every thing, I wish for the advancement of you husband and all that will contribute to his honour and the increase of his fortune … But I am in the most difficult situation; for that which my heart wishes for my reason condemns! … For me to wish to see you setting out for La***! No, do not imagine it! … Ah, my daughter! … How often have I reproached myself during the two years I staid in Italy, at such a distance from you, and which I might have spent with you! … But let us say no more of it; let us wait the event with resignation, and prepare ourselves to support it with courage.

I supped last night at Madame de Valcy's for the first time this Winter. The Viscountess made such a point of it that I could not deny her. There were near forty people of the best fashion. We have seen the time when Madame de Valcy was not well received in company, but, now that she has a hundred thousand livres a year, all the world flock to her with eagerness. She is very much elated at it; she is ignorant that she has no better qualities, than her riches, to attract their notice, – People, who keep such excellent houses, are like Kings who never know what is said of them. A good supper as often makes people guilty of meanness and falsehood as ambition. Duclos has said very justly, ‘Men never judge, but by appearances. Are they made dupes of? It is because those who deceive them are basely, as well as dexterously, perfidious.’ It is also true, that, unless one is blinded by an immoderate share of vanity, a very little experience may inform one, that, whenever one pleases, one may draw company to one's house, even without giving them suppers; it is not necessary for one even to be amiable; one has only to keep one's chamber and open one's doors.