What could be done for me, was the present question, and in order to
discuss the point with greater freedom, she made me dine with her.
This was the first meal in my life where I had experienced a want of
appetite, and her woman, who waited, observed it was the first time
she had seen a traveler of my age and appearance deficient in that
particular: this remark, which did me no injury in the opinion of
her mistress, fell hard on an overgrown clown, who was my fellow
guest, and devoured sufficient to have served at least six moderate
feeders. For me, I was too much charmed to think of eating; my heart
began to imbibe a delicious sensation, which engrossed my whole being,
and left no room for other objects.
Madam de Warrens wished to hear the particulars of my little
history- all the vivacity I had lost during my servitude returned
and assisted the recital. In proportion to the interest this excellent
woman took in my story, did she lament the fate to which I had exposed
myself; compassion was painted on her features, and expressed by every
action. She could not exhort me to return to Geneva, being too well
aware that her words and actions were strictly scrutinized, and that
such advice would be thought high treason against Catholicism, but she
spoke so feelingly of the affliction I must give my father, that it
was easy to perceive she would have approved my returning to console
him. Alas! she little thought how powerfully this pleaded against
herself; the more eloquently persuasive she appeared, the less could I
resolve to tear myself from her.
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