First of all, I thank you for those three words of English that you used for me and that I will always be so pleased to have the right to use with you. I have delayed answering your kind letter until now in order to be able to send you my letters for Paris at the same time as this answer. I have not as yet received any news from either my relatives or Madame Helvetius. I am asking you to take my complaints to Auteuil and to Paris if you have the occasion to pass my door. I am not telling you to mention me to your respectable papa. You know the sentiments I have pledged to him. If there is anything that makes me want to return to my country soon it is, among other things, the hope of seeing him again a little during this winter and of easing his solitude in Passy. Milord, to whom I offered your compliments and your apologies, is grieved that you cannot come to Bowood and he has instructed me to send his greetings to you and your dear papa.

If your departure were delayed beyond the 6th or the 7th, I would ask you to post the letter to M. Marmontel that I have taken the liberty of sending to you. I remark also that if your departure were delayed until around the 20th you would be very kind to so inform me so that I can send you a few more letters. Please accept my apologies for any trouble that I am causing you, and my thanks for your kindness and the assurance of the affection, the consideration, and the esteem that you have inspired in your very humble and very obedient servant