Chapter 323

Friday, Aug. 7, 1767. (page 503)

As I am turned knight-errant, and going again in search of my old fairy,(993) I will certainly transport your enchanted casket, and will endeavour to procure some talisman, that may secrete it from the eyes of those unheroic harpies, the officers of the customhouse, YOU must take care to let me have it before to-morrow se'nnight.

The house at Twickenham with which you fell in love, is still unmarried; but they ask a hundred and thirty pounds a-year for it. If they asked one hundred and thirty thousand pounds for it, perhaps my Lord Clive might snap it up; but that not being the case, I don't doubt but it will fall, and I flatter myself, that you and it may meet at last upon reasonable terms. That of General Trapaud is to be had at fifty pounds a-year, but with a fine on entrance of five hundred pounds. As I propose to return by the beginning of October, perhaps I may see you, and then you may review both. Since the loss of poor Lady Suffolk, I am more desirous than ever of having you in my neighbourhood, as I have not a rational acquaintance left. Adieu!

(993) Madame du Deffand. The following passages from her letters to Walpole will best explain the reasons which induced him to undertake the journey:--"Paris, 5 Juillet. Je crois entrevoir que votre s`ejour ici vous inqui`ete, et que la complaisance qui vous am`ene vous coute beaucoup; mais, mon Tuteur, songez au plaisir que vous me ferez, quelle sera ma reconnaissance. Je ne vous dirai point combien cette visite m'est necessaire; vous jugerez par vous-m`eme si je vous en ai impose sur rien, et si vous pourrez jamais vous repentir des marques d'amiti`e que vous m'avez donn`ees. Mon Dieu! que nous aurons de sujets de conversations!"--"Dimanche, 23 Ao`ut. Enfin, enfin, il n'y a plus de mer qui nous s`epare; j'ai l'esperance de vous voir d`ees aujoqrd'hui. J'ai pri`e hier Madame Simonetti d'envoyer chez moi au moment de votre arriv`ee; si vous voulez venir chez MOi, comme j'esp`ere, vous aurez sur le champ mon carrosse. Je me flatte que demain vous dinerez et souperez avec moi t`ete-`a-t`ete; nous en aurons bien `a dire. Sans cette maudite compagnie que j'ai si sottement rassembl`ee, vous m'auriez trouv`ee chez vous `a la d`escente de votre chaise; cela vous auroit fort d`eplu, mais je m'en serois mocqu`ee." Madame Simonetti kept the H`otel garni du Parc Royal, Rue du Colombie. In a journal which Walpole kept of this journey to Paris, is the following entry:--"August 23. Arrived at Paris a quarter before seven; at eight, to Madame du Deffand's; found the Clairon acting Agrippine and Ph`edre. Not tall; but I liked her acting better than I expected. Supped there with her, and the Duchesse de Villeroi, d'Aiguillon, etC. etc."-E.