Chapter CXLII: Letter XI: Thursday Evening, January, 1665

At length, the mother, the daughter-in-law, and the brother have obtained leave to be together; they are going to Montluçon in the heart of Auvergne. The mother had permission to go to Parc-aux-Dames to her daughter, but her daughter-in-law has prevailed on her to accompany her. M. and Madame de Charost are on their way to Ancenis. Pecquet and Lavalée are still in the Bastille. Can any thing be more dreadful than this injustice? They have given M. Fouquet another servant. M. d’Artagnan was his only comfort in his journey. It is said that the person who is to have the care of him at Pignerol is a very worthy creature. God grant he may be so! or rather, God protect our friend! He has already protected him so visibly that we ought to think he has an especial care of him. La Forêt, his old esquire, accosted him as he was going away. “I am delighted to see you,” said Fouquet to him; “I know your fidelity and affection: tell my wife and mother not to despair, that my courage remains, and that I am in good health.” Is not this admirable? Adieu, my dear sir; let us be like him; let us have courage, and dwell on the joy occasioned by the glorious sentence of Saturday.

Madame de Grignan is dead.[287]

[287] Angélique Claire d’Angennes, M. de Grignan’s first wife.

Friday Evening.

It seems, by your thanks, as if you were giving me my dismissal; but I will not receive it yet. I intend to write to you whenever I please, and as soon as I have the verses from Pont-neuf, I shall send them to you. Our dear friend is still upon the road: it was reported that he had been ill; every body exclaimed, “What! already?” It was reported also that M. d’Artagnan had sent to court to know what he was to do with his sick prisoner, and that he had been answered unfeelingly, that he must proceed with him, however ill he might be. This is all false: but it shows the general feeling, and the danger of furnishing materials with which to build whatever horrid castles we please. Pecquet and Lavalée are still in the Bastille: this conduct is truly unaccountable. The chamber will be resumed after the Epiphany.

I should think the poor exiles must be arrived ere this at the place of their destination. When our poor friend has reached his, I will inform you; for we must follow him to Pignerol: would to God we could bring him thence to the place we wish![288] And how much longer, my dear sir, will be your exile? I often think of this. A thousand compliments to your father. I have been told your wife is here: I shall call upon her. I supped last night with one of your lady friends, and we talked of paying you a visit.

[288] It was the general opinion that Fouquet died in prison in
the year 1680. See _Le Siècle de Louis XIV_, and the note at the
beginning of the letter dated April 3, 1680.

LETTERS TO HER SON THE MARQUIS DE SÉVIGNÉ.[289]

[289] This only son of Madame de Sévigné inherited neither her
genius, her virtues, nor her energy of character. She treated him
always with great kindness, but was never blind to his faults.
Her judicious management seems to have had a salutary effect on
him, after the follies of his youth were over. He reformed in a
measure, and, in 1684, married Jeanne Marguerite de Brenant de
Mauron of a noble and rich family. This alliance was a great joy
to Madame de Sévigné, and it is to the illness of this beloved
daughter-in-law that she alludes in the second letter.