It is true that without his
wishing this to be the case, his presence alone was sufficient to
produce the effect: so much did his graceful and elegant manner render
still more dull my stupid spropositi. During the first two years he
seldom came to Montmorency, and by the indulgence of Madam de
Luxembourg I had tolerably supported myself, but as soon as his visits
began to be regular I was irretrievably lost. I wished to take
refuge under his wing, and gain his friendship; but the same
awkwardness which made it necessary I should please him prevented me
from succeeding in the attempt I made to do it, and what I did with
that intention entirely lost me with Madam de Luxembourg, without
being of the least service to me with the abbe. With his understanding
he might have succeeded in anything, but the impossibility of applying
himself, and his turn for dissipation, prevented his acquiring a
perfect knowledge of any subject. His talents are however various, and
this is sufficient for the circles in which he wishes to distinguish
himself. He writes light poetry and fashionable letters, strums on the
cithern, and pretends to draw with crayons. He took it into his head
to attempt the portrait of Madam de Luxembourg: the sketch he produced
was horrid. She said it did not in the least resemble her, and this
was true. The traitorous abbe consulted me, and I, like a fool and a
liar, said there was a likeness. I wished to flatter the abbe, but I
did not please the lady, who noted down what I had said, and the abbe,
having obtained what he wanted, laughed at me in his turn.
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