The Abbe Raynal is certainly a warm friend; of this I saw a proof,
much about the time of which I speak, with respect to Grimm himself,
with whom he was very intimate. Grimm, after having been some time
on a footing of friendship with Mademoiselle Fel, fell violently in
love with her, and wished to supplant Cahusac. The young lady, piquing
herself on her constancy, refused her new admirer. He took this so
much to heart, that the appearances of his affliction became tragical.
He suddenly fell into the strangest state imaginable. He passed days
and nights in a continued lethargy. He lay with his eyes open; and
although his pulse continued to beat regularly, without speaking,
eating, or stirring, yet sometimes seeming to hear what was said to
him, but never answering, not even by a sign, and remaining almost
as immovable as if he had been dead, yet without agitation, pain, or
fever. The Abbe Raynal and myself watched over him; the abbe, more
robust, and in better health than I was, by night, and I by day,
without ever both being absent at one time. The Comte de Friese was
alarmed, and brought to him Senac, who, after having examined the
state in which he was, said there was nothing to apprehend, and took
his leave without giving a prescription. My fears for my friend made
me carefully observe the countenance of the physician, and I perceived
him smile as he went away. However, the patient remained several
days almost motionless, without taking anything except a few preserved
cherries, which from time to time I put upon his tongue, and which
he swallowed without difficulty.
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