Letter from Guizot to Henriette, about Val-Richer

Lisieux – Wednesday [11 August] [1836] 5 o’clock

« I am taking my precautions, my dear little one; I am writing to you today because tomorrow I shall go out as soon as I am up, to see a small estate three leagues from Lisieux that I have been offered for sale. I may not be back in time for the post, and I do not want you to go without my letter. I am told this little estate is pretty; the house is a former abbey, large, well built and fairly well arranged; there are fine woods all around, a spring beside the house, and a strong stream running through the meadows. Unfortunately, to get there, there is a league of bad road; so the estate will be sold much more cheaply than those situated beside the main road. I am also told that a good road is to be built that will pass right by the house. Well, I shall see. I would be very happy, my dear Henriette, if I could take you with me tomorrow, you and your sister; the outing would amuse me instead of boring me. This estate is called Le Val-Richer. »