The
evening before he came, I was dislodged from the chamber of favor,
contiguous to that of Madam d'Epinay; it was prepared for Grimm, and
instead of it, I was put into another further off. "In this manner,"
said I, laughingly, to Madam d'Epinay, "new-comers displace those
which are established." She seemed embarrassed. I was better
acquainted the same evening with the reason for the change, in
learning that between her chamber and that I had quitted there was a
private door which she had thought needless to show me. Her
intercourse with Grimm was not a secret either in her own house or
to the public, not even to her husband; yet, far from confessing it to
me, the confidant of secrets more important to her, and which was sure
would be faithfully kept, she constantly denied it in the strongest
manner. I comprehended this reserve proceeded from Grimm, who,
though intrusted with all my secrets, did not choose I should be
with any of his.
However prejudiced I was in favor of this man by former
sentiments, which were not extinguished, and by the real merit he had,
all was not proof against the cares he took to destroy it. He received
me like the Comte de Tuffiere; he scarcely deigned to return my
salute; he never once spoke to me, and prevented my speaking to him by
not making me any answer; he everywhere passed first, and took the
first place without ever paying me the least attention. All this would
have been supportable had he not accompanied it with a shocking
affectation, which may be judged of by one example taken from a
hundred.
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