I cannot think why you have not lifted your pen to write, dear Henrietta, to a woman who adores you as might a mother . . . My concerns for O— continue for I am given to understand from a gentleman of my acquaintance that he approaches ruin, that near everything of value in his possession has been sold or mortgaged. I hear that he has more than ever become the creature of those scoundrels in the Convention who intend to place the King on trial. Heaven preserve us from such an abomination. That O— should be forced to vote upon the fate of his cousin is a notion so insupportable that I can scarcely ponder it. I know him to be no champion of Monsieur Robespierre, but he will not speak a word against him, nor contradict the will of those blackguards who surround him. Now I read that Monsieur Marat has requested 30,000 louis from Our Friend to finance the aims of the Revolution. I pray to God he does not encourage the base designs of his vile companions from his own purse, for it seems he presents himself as a treasury to be pillaged by every rogue in France! Does Mme de B— confide in you upon such matters? Is it her persuasions which lie at the heart of his deeds? I understand her to be among the fiercest of Jacobins. I do not doubt her poison to be a potent one. Beware, ma chère fille. Your heart is such an open one that I fear you may expose it to her tricks and darts if you do not remain wary. Dear child, I implore you to respond to one who remains your chère maman . . .