After waiting for a long time in the most cruel uncertainty, into
which that barbarous man had plunged me, I learned, at the
expiration of eight or ten days, that Madam d'Epinay was set off,
and received from him a second letter. It contained not more than
seven or eight lines which I did not entirely read. It was a
rupture, but in such terms as the most infernal hatred only can
dictate, and these became unmeaning by the excessive degree of
acrimony with which he wished to charge them. He forbade me his
presence as he would have forbidden me his states. All that was
wanting to his letter to make it laughable, was to be read over with
coolness. Without taking a copy of it, or reading the whole of the
contents, I returned it him immediately, accompanied by the
following note:
* * * * *
"I refused to admit the force of the just reasons I had of
suspicion: I now, when it is too late, am become sufficiently
acquainted with your character.
"This then is the letter upon which you took time to meditate: I
return it to you, it is not for me. You may show mine to the whole
world and hate me openly; this on your part will be a falsehood the
less."
* * * * *
My telling he might show my preceding letter related to an article
in his by which his profound address throughout the whole affair
will be judged of.
I have observed that my letter might inculpate me in the eyes of
persons unacquainted with the particulars of what had passed.
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