They did what
Madam de Luxembourg ought to have done. I suffered myself to be
flattered; I was ashamed to retract; and the only thing that
remained to be determined upon was the place of my retreat and the
time of my departure. M. de Luxembourg proposed to me to remain
incognito a few days at the castle, that we might deliberate at
leisure, and take such measures as should seem most proper; to this
I would not consent, no more than to go secretly to the temple. I
was determined to set off the same day rather than remain concealed in
any place whatever.
Knowing I had secret and powerful enemies in the kingdom, I thought,
notwithstanding my attachment to France, I ought to quit it, the
better to insure my future tranquillity. My first intention was to
retire to Geneva, but a moment of reflection was sufficient to
dissuade me from committing that act of folly; I knew the ministry
of France, more powerful at Geneva than at Paris, would not leave me
more at peace in one of these cities than in the other, were a
resolution taken to torment me. I was also convinced the Discourse
upon Inequality had excited against me in the council a hatred the
more dangerous as the council dared not make it manifest. I had also
learned, that when the Nouvelle Heloise appeared, the same council had
immediately forbidden the sale of that work, upon the solicitation
of Doctor Tronchin; but, perceiving the example not to be imitated,
even in Paris, the members were ashamed of what they had done, and
withdrew the prohibition.
Pages:
827
828
829
830
831
832
833
834
835
836
837
838
839
840
841
842
843
844
845
846
847
848
849
850
851