I earnestly but vainly repeated the
invitation I had several times given her in my letters to come and
live peacefully with me, assuring her I would dedicate the rest of
my life, and that of Theresa, to render hers happy. Attached to her
pension, from which, although it was regularly paid, she had not for a
long time received the least advantage, my offers were lost upon
her. I again gave her a trifling part of the contents of my purse,
much less than I ought to have done, and considerably less than I
should have offered her had not I been certain of its not being of the
least service to herself. During my residence at Geneva, she made a
journey into Chablais, and came to see me at Grange-canal. She was
in want of money to continue her journey: what I had in my pocket
was insufficient to this purpose, but an hour afterwards I sent it her
by Theresa. Poor mamma! I must relate this proof of the goodness of
her heart. A little diamond ring was the last jewel she had left.
She took it from her finger to put it upon that of Theresa, who
instantly replaced it upon that whence it had been taken, kissing
the generous hand which she bathed with her tears. Ah! this was the
proper moment to discharge my debt! I should have abandoned everything
to follow her, and share her fate, let it be what it would. I did
nothing of the kind. My attention was engaged by another attachment,
and I perceived the attachment I had to her was abated by the
slender hopes there were of rendering it useful to either of us.
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