LETTER IV
The Baroness Rosalie de la Vicordière to Alice de la Tour
My dearest friend,
How surprised I was to receive your letter so promptly! Never before have you replied with such impatience. You cannot imagine how it sparked my curiosity and impatience to discover what could have urged you so. Truly, I had barely broken the seal before my pen was already poised to reply, so moved was I by your words.
Please forgive the reversal of the usual order of my letters, where I typically reserve the court gossip for the beginning. However, it seemed impossible to wait before addressing the subject of your encounter, most unexpected and scandalous, with that peasant. Such an adventure deserves immediate attention, as it is both surprising and audacious.
Oh, my dear Alice, what an event! What audacity on the part of that man of the people! Had I been in your place, I do not know if I would have had the courage to look him in the eye. Remember, my dear, that you are the daughter of a Viscount! It is a privilege that carries particular duties and reserve.
Old Anne wisely took back your brooch promptly, thus sparing your delicate hands from any improper contact. It is important to always keep in mind the dignity that our rank requires, to walk with head held high and proud. People of low birth, however honest or courteous they may seem, remain outside our world. We must treat them with distance and pay them no more attention than to mere shadows when we are in public.
I understand that the situation might have been troubling for you, especially since your generous and kind nature often leads you to give more attention than is reasonable to those of lower station. However, I can only advise you to be cautious. You are a lady of high society, and, as such, it is your duty to maintain a respectful distance.
I do not doubt the sincerity of this man, but it is essential to remember the difference in our statuses. Peasants, though they are subjects of the kingdom, do not share our customs or our education, and it is our duty to preserve established traditions and hierarchies. Too close an association with them could fuel the most infamous gossip and damage your reputation, as well as that of your family.
That said, I must admit that your account has piqued my curiosity. This Jasper Whitlock seems to have a very honorable demeanor, although such an act of courage from a man of his condition is as surprising as it is unusual. Were it not improper, I would be tempted to ask you for more details about this strange encounter. However, for your safety and peace of mind, it is best to consider this incident as a mere trifle and not give it more importance.
You know that I have been married for a little over a year, and although my husband is a man of good family and noble character, I must confess that I have never felt that glow you describe with such ardor. That sparkle in the eye, that quickening heartbeat, all of it seems foreign, even exotic to me. I almost envy this experience, this unexpected thrill you felt in the presence of that young man. Yet, the reality of our lives always catches up with us, and it is our duty to remain within the limits our rank imposes.
Had your encounter been with a gentleman, I would have urged you to embrace these feelings with all the passion your heart could contain. After all, an alliance based on mutual affection is what we all aspire to, is it not? But alas, the realities of our world are more complex, and propriety is unforgiving. Personal happiness must sometimes bow to the demands of society and the preservation of family honor.
Nonetheless, I cannot help but feel a pang of regret for you, my dear friend. Passion is a powerful emotion, and it is rare to feel it so intensely. However, it is crucial not to be carried away by emotions that could lead us astray. Your father, the Viscount, has expectations and plans for you, and it is essential to respect them. Always remember that your social position entails responsibilities far beyond our personal desires.
I urge you, my dear friend, to remain vigilant. Your heart is tender, and your mind is too inclined to see the good in every individual. But do not forget that the world is filled with people ready to take advantage of any opportunity to rise at our expense. It is crucial not to be carried away by sweet illusions.
Before concluding this letter, I cannot help but share with you some of the latest gossip from the Court, which I hope will brighten your day as much as it has animated ours. It may perhaps prevent you from thinking more about this Jasper Whitlock.
Attention has once again turned to the Count of Saint-Germain, that intriguing figure who claims to have knowledge of alchemy and medicine. At a soirée at the Duke of Richelieu's, he asserted that he could concoct an elixir of long life, promising the guests to extend their lives by several decades. While some laughed at these claims, others, more superstitious, whispered that he might indeed possess forgotten secrets. In any case, his demonstrations and eccentric anecdotes captivated the audience.
As for our dear Queen, she continues to be talked about, but not always for the best reasons. The tensions with the King are sharper than ever, and any reconciliation seems impossible. Marie-Antoinette has taken a liking to gambling evenings, and rumors say she lost a considerable sum during her last game. Her extravagant spending greatly irritates the King, already concerned about the kingdom's financial situation.
Regarding Monsieur Necker, he continues to provoke passionate reactions. His reforms and attempts to clean up the kingdom's finances have not gone unnoticed. He dared to publicly disclose the state's expenses, which angered many courtiers who preferred to keep these matters private.
Some praise his boldness, claiming he is the only one capable of steering the kingdom out of the looming financial crisis. Others, however, view him as an impetuous upstart, a foreigner to nobility, who does not understand the subtleties of Court customs. It is even whispered that his reforms could threaten the privileges of certain noble families, which has unsurprisingly earned him powerful enemies.
Lastly, and not least, there has been some commotion around the Marquis de La Fayette, who, it is said, has recently returned from America with heroic tales of battles. He seems to have gained great popularity among those who see him as a champion of freedom and independence. However, his stories raise some eyebrows among the more conservative members of the Court, who worry about the influence of these revolutionary ideas on the young nobleman. The growing presence of these sympathizers of the American cause is not without concern for some, who see it as a potential threat to the established order.
There you have it, my dear friend, the hottest news from the Court. I look forward to reading from you again.
With all my affection and devotion,
Rosalie de la Vicordière