Intention of Estrades to leave Venice. Venice, October 15, 1678. SIR, * * * * * * I sent you word, some time back, that the Abbé d’Estrades was gone into the country, from whence he intended to continue his journey into France. The uneasiness he felt at the delay of the Count Matthioli in his departure, (although it only proceeded from his illness, and from the necessity he had to be near his master,) and his desire to see him set off before him, or at least at the same time, are the causes why he has always deferred his own departure; but having had four days ago a conference with the Count Matthioli, in which he assured him that he would without doubt set off for France to-day, and that he had even received the order of the Duke of Mantua to that effect * * *[216] DE PINCHESNE.[217] [216] The sentence is left thus unfinished in the letter, as published by M. Delort. [217] From the Archives of the Office for Foreign Affairs, at Paris. No. 40. PINCHESNE TO POMPONNE. Continued delay of Matthioli. Venice, October 22d, 1678. SIR, * * * * * * WHILE I was in the belief that the Count Matthioli had set out for the Court, according to the promise he had made to the Abbé d’Estrades in the last conference, which, as I sent you word, Sir, they had together, I have been surprised by learning at this moment, by a letter which he has written to the Sieur Giuliani, who has just brought it me, that some affairs, which he has had to transact with the Duke of Mantua, have obliged him to delay his departure till to-day. He has written to the aforesaid Sieur Giuliani to be to-morrow evening at Verona, in order to continue his journey to the Court from thence. He has judged it proper, in order to keep the whole affair as secret as possible, to take him with him rather than any other, as he is already informed of all the circumstances of the case, the Abbé d’Estrades having made use of him in all the journeys that were necessary during the course of this affair. He is a very good sort of man, who is already entirely French in his dispositions, and full of affection for the service and interests of the King. * * * DE PINCHESNE.[218] [218] From the Archives of the Office for Foreign Affairs, at Paris. No. 41. PINCHESNE TO POMPONNE. Venice, October 29th, 1678. SIR, * * * * * * I have received this instant a letter from the Count Matthioli, written from Berheta, on the 26th of this month; in which he acquaints me that he will immediately continue his journey to the Court with the Sieur Giuliani; where, perhaps, they will be arrived before you receive this letter. * * * DE PINCHESNE.[219] [219] Ibid. No. 42. POMPONNE TO PINCHESNE.