Donatien-Alphonse-François, Marquis de SADE. L.A.S., [Paris] May 22, 1791, to his lawyer Gaspard Gaufridy; 1page in-4. He learns that his aunt, Mme de Villeneuve, "on her way from Carpentras to Orange to see Md de Raousset, her daughter, has been arrested by brigands and taken to prison. I must tell you that this news was like a thunderbolt for me yesterday when I learned it [......] this unfortunate woman is 80 years old, which is an abominable horror, and well worthy of these brigands; it is added that Md de Raousset immediately offered a considerable sum for her mother's ransom, which is a very simple gesture, no doubt, but at the same time it honors her soul, and I love and esteem her much more since she did it. [...] offer her [Mme de Villeneuve] from me all the services we can render her; offer her La Coste, it seems to me she will be safer there since it is in France"... He then recommends that the 1030ll due to him be sent as soon as possible, "so that I don't find myself between two rooms with my ass on the floor"... Correspondence (Lély), CCII.