The Whys of Hiatus

My thanks to everyone for hanging with me while posting has become more sporadic. Ironically, while I have been busy with two shows and planning my classes for the fall, my show work has still had a distinctly 18th-century flair. Photos of corsets,  panniers, wigs and more to come.

June 20th, 1782

I was able to convince Mme de Rodez to allow Clementine to accompany me to Portaberaud, but it was dearly purchased as the mother herself is also amongst the party. An entire summer spent in her company might soon cause me to regret the sentiment which moved me to bring them hither. As the court is at Fountainbleu, Clementine's Duke has followed it, and her mother was easily convinced that chasing after him would do more harm than good. A few months separation might make her daughter more precious in his estimation. Now we only have to hope that the opposite is true.

 The one boon which this might provide is to give me every opportunity to speak with Mme de Rodez about her son's unfortunate death and the manner of his passing. The Marquis de F- has retired to his estate at Saint-Martin-du-Tertre, I suspect as much to avoid the expense of following the court as to escape the heat of Paris. He did not, it seems, pay his creditors before he left, as I did mine. This will make it easier to call those debts to account when we return, and in the meantime I shall focus on finding out to whom he owes gambling debts as well. 

Portaberaud always reminds me of pleasant days with Thierry. I hope that he is well, wherever he is. 

Olympe, Comtesse

Event Photos

In the mood for some gratuitous costume beauty? Check out the latest post at Temps D'Elegance!

June 5th, 1782

A brief letter has arrived from Thierry to say that though he was obliged to move, he is alright, and will explain more as soon as he is able. He indicates no address to which I may reply or send money, so I hope that he is provided for.

It is, indeed, a great relief.

Olympe, Comtesse

Favourite!

The Morning Toilette

I love what paintings like this can tell us. I don't have a date or artist for this one, but from her hair and clothing worn by those around her it's likely to be the 1750s or earlier. I'm also bound to love any painting with frolicking spaniels in it.

Trivia Monday!

What do you mean it's Tuesday already? I wish I could say that time was flying due to fun, but actually work looks to have me swamped for most of the summer. Last week I asked:- "This famous stylist was responsible for giving Marie-Antoinette her much-copied hairdos."

A Traveller in time and A Baronets Daughter both responded correctly that it was Leonard. Of course it was Leonard Autie, and I'm sure you all remember the fun and fabulous portrayal of him in Sofia Coppola's movie, Marie Antoinette. I, like the Duchess de Polignac, loved his hair.

This week I'm asking:- What was the name of the last naval battle that the French lost to the English during the American War of Independence?

May 30th, 1782

I have been busy, and events have conspired to allow me to put my plans into effect. Lafayette's agent approved the repairs to Lespinasse and to my surprise he purchased the property for a price I little believed he would accept. Having continued to hear rumors that F- is in a considerable amount of debt, and his relatives tired of paying them, I sent a footman to all of my creditors with word that they should be at my Lever this morning, when I would be paying my debts in preparation for leaving Paris for the summer.

I am aware that many of the merchants from whom I purchase goods also serve the Marquis de F-. By paying them in full with the money I have on hand, knowing that my coffers will shortly be refilled from the sale of Lespinasse, I buy their loyalty in some measure, and perhaps when I suggest to them that they should call in the debts of a certain Marquis they will be inclined to do so.

In the meantime I have another problem with which to attend. The Duc de Saint-Aignan, Paul Marie de Beauvilliers, has begun visiting Clementine at her mother's house and my young friend is terrified that he will offer for her hand any day. She escapes here to Sully as often as she can and begs my help in likewise escaping an unwanted marriage, for she still dreams of being united with the Marquis de Menars, who also attends her when the Dowager Comtesse will allow it.

I think that I will suggest that Clementine travel to Auvergne with me this summer, so that her absence may whet the appetite of those who have not yet offered for her. If I act quickly I may succeed in enlisting Menars in more than one of my plots, for he would stand to gain if the Duc can be put off thereby.

I have not yet succeeded in broaching the subject of the Comte de Rodez's death; nor have a heard from Thierry, which continues to worry me somewhat. If I keep busy perhaps a letter will come to allay my fears.

Olympe, Comtesse