Dearest Antoinette:
I’m pleased to tell you how wonderful your brothers and sisters are doing in their marriages. Maria Carolina is pregnant expecting her first child in June and Ferdinand is enchanted with Beatrice having made her his wife at once. All this news, which should fill me with contentment is diminished by reflections on your dangerous situation. Everything depends on the wife if she is willing and sweet. I can’t repeat enough the importance for you to employ charm and patience never ill humor, to remedy this unfortunate situation. Remember, nothing is certain about your place there…until an heir is produced.