"In regard to the
expenses of the journey," continued our adviser, "his grace, my lord
bishop, will not be backward, when once madam has proposed this holy
work, to offer his charitable donation, and madam the baroness,
whose charity is so well known," once more addressing himself to the
continuation of his meal, "will certainly contribute."
I was by no means pleased with all these charities; I said
nothing, but my heart was ready to burst with vexation. Madam de
Warrens, who did not seem to think so highly of this expedient as
the projector pretended to do, contented herself by saying, every
one should endeavor to promote good actions, and that she would
mention it to his lordship; but the meddling devil, who had some
private interest in this affair, and questioned whether she would urge
it to his satisfaction, took care to acquaint the almoners with my
story, and so far influenced those good priests, that when Madam de
Warrens, who disliked the journey on my account, mentioned it to the
bishop, she found it so far concluded on, that he immediately put into
her hands the money designed for my little viaticum. She dared not
advance anything against it; I was approaching an age when a woman
like her could not, with any propriety, appear anxious to retain me.
My departure being thus determined by those who undertook the
management of my concerns, I had only to submit; and I did it
without much repugnance. Though Turin was at a greater distance from
Madam de Warrens' than Geneva, yet being the capital of the country
I was now in, it seemed to have more connection with Annecy than a
city under a different government and of a contrary religion; besides,
as I undertook this journey in obedience to her, I considered myself
as living under her direction, which was more flattering than barely
to continue in the neighborhood; to sum up all, the idea of a long
journey coincided with my insurmountable passion for rambling, which
already began to demonstrate itself.
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