Translations:CP 03189/6/en
On first appearances Gabriel de La Rochefoucauld seems to have no connection with d’Albufera. But his wealth (currently at least) came from his marriage with the daughter of the Princesse of Monaco, herself the daughter of the other Heines[1], not Furtado but relations[2] and extremely rich, but bankers. Finally, Guiche owes his wealth to the fact that his mother, the Duchesse de Gramont, was born a Rothschild (same bank)[3]. It is true that one day his wife Mlle Greffulhe will be worth more than him, but at present the parents of the said lady are in perfect health[4]. These explanations which are of little interest to you are to demonstrate that it is not through any lack of desire for something I have thought about a great deal (and I must stress in the interests of the depositors rather than yours) (the word depositors is not quite correct but you understand what I mean) even if I have done nothing about it yet. But the fact that I haven’t seen any of these people for so many years is also a consideration. But now I know that the idea is not disagreeable to you, as soon as I am able to receive anybody I shall convene the ones who haven’t been mobilized and if I can convince them I believe I will be doing them a very great service. But however agreeable it might be for me to do them a very great service, it doesn’t quite seem like a disinterested way of showing you my gratitude. So, getting back to my little flock, it would be a great satisfaction to me if you raised your derisory brokerage fee to a satisfactory sum. On the day I succeed in establishing with you two or three multimillionaires imploring you for advice, that is the day I will consent to you once again charging me at the current going rate. But until then I beg you to be mindful of my entreaty and believe in my affectionate gratitude.