Françoise d'Aubigné, marquise of MAINTENON. L.A.S. (initials), Marly September 16, to the duke of Richelieu; 2 1/2 pages in-4, address with remains of red wax seal. Beautiful letter to her friend the duke of Richelieu [Armand-Jean de Vignerot du Plessis, duke of Richelieu (1629-1715), father of the marshal]. She has had a rheumatism for five weeks which takes away all her strength "and which makes me lead a life quite opposite to my natural activity, I have a lot of difficulty to write even though my greatest pain is in my left arm"... She does not doubt his friendship: "you know the one I have always had for you which has been direct and independent of any other"... She thinks that he was happy to find the duchess and understands "that one is charmed by Richelieu I have spent three months there that I will never forget and if I were to make a project for myself it would be very close to what we were doing there"... She sends her remembrance to M. de Chandenier, her respect to the duchess and she embraces the duke "with our old and inocent freedom".