Struck with astonishment at reading this letter I vainly
endeavored to find out what it meant. How! instead of answering me,
with simplicity, he took time to consider of what I had written, as if
the time he had already taken was not sufficient! He intimates even
the state of suspense in which he wishes to keep me, as if a
profound problem was to be resolved, or that it was of importance to
his views to deprive me of every means of comprehending his intentions
until the moment he should think proper to make them known. What
therefore did he mean by these pre, cautions, delays, and mysteries?
Was this manner of acting consistent with honor and uprightness? I
vainly sought for some favorable interpretation of his conduct; it was
impossible to find one. Whatever his design might be, were this
inimical to me, his situation facilitated the execution of it
without its being possible for me in mine to oppose the least
obstacle. In favor, in the house of a great prince, having an
extensive acquaintance, and giving the tone to common circles of which
he was the oracle, he had it in his power, with his usual address,
to dispose everything in his favor; and I, alone in my Hermitage,
far removed from all society, without the benefit of advice, and
having no communication with the world, had nothing to do but to
remain in peace. All I did was to write to Madam d'Epinay upon the
illness of her son, as polite a letter as could be written, but in
which I did not fall into the snare of offering to accompany her to
Geneva.
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