"Father Bonhours and Father Rapin (Jesuits) were in my study when I received your letter," he writes to Boileau.

"I read it to them, on breaking the seal, and I gave them very great pleasure.

I kept looking ahead, however, as I was reading, in case there was anything too Jansenistical in it.

I saw, towards the end, the name of M.Nicole, and I skipped boldly, or, rather, mean-spiritedly, over it.

I dared not expose myself to the chance of interfering with the great delight, and even shouts of laughter, caused them by many very amusing things you sent me.