At length he, one morning, rose,
dressed himself, and returned to his usual way of life, without either
at that time or afterwards speaking to me or the Abbe Raynal, at least
that I know of, or to any other person, of this singular lethargy,
or the care we had taken of him during the time it lasted.
The affair made a noise, and it would really have been a wonderful
circumstance had the cruelty of an opera girl made a man die of
despair. This strong passion brought Grimm into vogue; he was soon
considered as a prodigy in love, friendship, and attachments of
every kind. Such an opinion made his company sought after, and
procured him a good reception in the first circles; by which means
he separated from me, with whom he was never inclined to associate
when he could do it with anybody else. I perceived him to be on the
point of breaking with me entirely; for the lively and ardent
sentiments, of which he made a parade, were those which, with less
noise and pretension, I had really conceived for him. I was glad he
succeeded in the world; but I did not wish him to do this by
forgetting his friend. I one day said to him: "Grimm, you neglect
me, and I forgive you for it. When the first intoxication of your
success is over, and you begin to perceive a void in your
enjoyments, I hope you will return to your friend, whom you will
always find in the same sentiments: at present do not constrain
yourself, I leave you at liberty to act as you please, and wait your
leisure.
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