le Maitre was
equitable, neither a jealous, ill-natured critic, nor a servile
flatterer. He was so superior to the generality of country
music-masters, and they were so sensible of it, that they treated
him rather as their chief than a brother musician.
Having passed four or five days very agreeably at Bellay, we
departed, and continuing our journey without meeting with any
accidents, except those I have just spoken of, arrived at Lyons, and
were lodged at Notre Dame de Pitie. While we waited for the arrival of
the before-mentioned case (which by the assistance of another lie, and
the care of our good patron, M. Reydelet, we had embarked on the
Rhone) M. le Maitre went to visit his acquaintance, and among others
Father Caton, a Cordelier, who will be spoken of hereafter, and the
Abbe Dortan, Count of Lyons, both of whom received him well, but
afterwards betrayed him, as will be seen presently; indeed, his good
fortune terminated with M. Reydelet.
Two days after our arrival at Lyons, as we passed a little street
not far from our inn, Le Maitre was attacked by one of his fits; but
it was now so violent as to give me the utmost alarm. I screamed
with terror, called for help, and naming our inn, entreated some one
to bear him to it; then (while the people were assembled, and busy
round a man that had fallen senseless in the street) he was
abandoned by the only friend on whom he could have any reasonable
dependence; I seized the instant when no one heeded me, turned the
corner of the street and disappeared.
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