Sunday, November 4, 2012

October 21st, 1782

The sale of Franconville is complete, and my party has triumphed. As happy as the young man is, he cannot be but half as joyful as I am myself. A letter from Thierry only adds to a sense of perfection, when normally it is my whole cause for happiness. I had word that F- was in attendance at the sale in person, and looked wholly miserable, but I think that he can be made to suffer still more. 

Tomorrow when I hold my Lever I shall address a "bon mot" to my visitors, late in the process when most of them will be present. I shall say to them something like "Le pauvre marquis de Franconville-aux-Bois n'a ni bois, ni les villes ni Francs. Que ferons-nous l'appeler maintenant? Marquis de Rien! A partir de maintenant, quand il remercie de nous, nous lui dirai "Il n'y a rien." Alors, comment nous allons rire de nous." 

"The poor Marquis de Franconville-aux-bois has neither woods nor towns nor Francs. What shall we call him now? Marquis of Nothing! From now on when he thanks us we shall say to him 'It's nothing.' Then how we shall laugh to ourselves."

If this little witticism does not make it's way around the city within the week I shall be very much surprised. 
-Olympe, Comtesse

2 comments:

  1. Madam,

    How unfortunate that I had not the pleasure of reading your narrative from its beginning. If you would be so kind as to provide a brief summary of the principal characters and major events that heretofore took place in the story, I would be much obliged.

    Until then, I remain

    Your humble Servant,
    S.R.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Dear Sir,

    I would be happy to accommodate your request, when the time allows, and I thank you most sincerely for your interest.

    ReplyDelete

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