When I afterwards took a taste for study, I
cultivated his acquaintance, and found my account in it: when at
Chambery, I frequently went from thence to see him. His praises
increased my emulation, to which he added some good advice
respecting the prosecution of my studies, which I found useful.
Unhappily, this weakly body contained a very feeling soul. Some
years after, he was chagrined by I know not what unlucky affair, but
it cost him his life. This was really unfortunate, for he was a good
little man, whom at a first acquaintance one laughed at, but
afterwards loved. Though our situations in life were very little
connected with each other, as I received some useful lessons from him,
I thought gratitude demanded that I should dedicate a few sentences to
his memory.
As soon as I found myself at liberty, I ran into the street where
Mademoiselle Galley lived, flattering myself that I should see some
one go in or out, or at least open a window, but I was mistaken, not
even a cat appeared, the house remaining as close all the time as if
it had been uninhabited. The street was small and lonely, any one
loitering about was, consequently, more likely to be noticed; from
time to time people passed in and out of the neighborhood; I was
much embarrassed, thinking my person might be known, and the cause
that brought me there conjectured; this idea tortured me, for I have
ever preferred the honor and happiness of those I love to my own
pleasures.
At length, weary of playing the Spanish lover, and having no guitar,
I determined to write to Mademoiselle de Graffenried.
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