I torment you once more, my illustrious doctor, but it is only because I am being tormented in turn. I asked you for a letter of recommendation for a merchant from St. Brieuc, M. de La Lande Robinot, who should be sending a heavily laden vessel to America. You told me that you had to know what kind of man this merchant was. I gave you a letter that a master of requests wrote to me regarding him, and this master of requests is a man worthy of high esteem. You kindly promised me this letter but I am afraid that you have forgotten it. However, the vessel is to leave in the next ten or twelve days, and is actually only awaiting your letter. Allow me therefore to renew the request that I presented on his behalf. As recompense for this annoyance, I will betray a little secret which has been confided to me: a beautiful lady is going to ask you to have her for dinner Sunday, and this lady is Mme. de Marcenay. You are inspiring passions on all sides. Do not betray the traitor. Mr. de Caraman, from whom I received a letter this morning, requested that I pass along his countless regards; he sent the attached note to ask a favor of you on behalf of M. the Baron de Wimpfen. Please accept, my illustrious doctor, a thousand assurances of the sentiments of attachment that I have devoted to you for life