*
* I have so long been of the same opinion, and so perfectly
convinced of its being well founded, that since my return to Paris I
confided to him the manuscript of my confessions. The suspicious J. J.
never suspected perfidy and falsehood until he had been their victim.
From this time I thought I might depend on the services of Madam the
Baroness of Beuzenval, and the Marchioness of Broglie, and that they
would not long leave me without resource. In this I was not
deceived. But I must now speak of my first visit to Madam Dupin, which
produced more lasting consequences.
Madam Dupin was, as every one in Paris knows, the daughter of Samuel
Bernard and Madam Fontaine. There were three sisters, who might be
called the three graces. Madam de la Touche who played a little prank,
and went to England with the Duke of Kingston. Madam d'Arty, the
eldest of the three; the friend, the only sincere friend of the Prince
of Conti, an adorable woman, as well by her sweetness and the goodness
of her charming character, as by her agreeable wit and incessant
cheerfulness. Lastly, Madam Dupin, more beautiful than either of her
sisters, and the only one who has not been reproached with some levity
of conduct.
She was the reward of the hospitality of Madam Dupin, to whom her
mother gave her in marriage with the place of farmer-general and an
immense fortune, in return for the good reception he had given her
in his province. When I saw her for the first time, she was still
one of the finest women in Paris.
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