le Maitre, after taking off his sword, used to put over his secular
habit, and the fine surplice with which he covered the rags of the
former, when he went to the choir; the pride with which I held my
little flute to my lips, and seated myself in the orchestra, to assist
in a recitative which M. le Maitre had composed on purpose for me; the
good dinner that afterwards awaited us, and the good appetites we
carried to it. This concourse of objects, strongly retraced in my
memory, has charmed me a hundred times as much, or perhaps more,
than ever the reality had done. I have always preserved an effection
for a certain air of the Conditor alme Syderum, because one Sunday
in Advent I heard that hymn sung on the steps of the cathedral
(according to the custom of that place) as I lay in bed before
daybreak. Mademoiselle Merceret, Madam de Warrens' chambermaid, knew
something of music; I shall never forget a little piece that M. le
Maitre made me sing with her, and which her mistress listened to
with great satisfaction. In a word, every particular, even down to the
servant Perrine, whom the boys of the choir took such delight in
teasing. The remembrance of these times of happiness and innocence
frequently returning to my mind, both ravish and affect me.
I lived at Annecy during a year without the least reproach, giving
universal satisfaction. Since my departure from Turin, I had been
guilty of no folly, committed none while under the eye of Madam de
Warrens.
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