I agree with ——­ who has just left me, that nothing can be more animating and improving than the conversation of intelligent and clever men, and that lady-society is in general very fade and tiresome:  and yet I truly believe that no woman can devote herself exclusively to the society of men without losing some of the best and sweetest characteristics of her sex.  The conversation of men of the world and men of gallantry, gives insensibly a taint to the mind; the unceasing language of adulation and admiration intoxicates the head and perverts the heart; the habit of tete-a-tetes, the habit of being always either the sole or the principal object of attention, of mingling in no conversation which is not personal, narrows the disposition, weakens the mind, and renders it incapable of rising to general views or principles; while it so excites the senses and the imagination, that every thing else becomes in comparison stale, flat, and unprofitable.  The life of a coquette is very like that of a drunkard or an opium eater, and its end is the same—­the utter extinction of intellect, of cheerfulness, of generous feeling, and of self-respect.

* * * * *

St. Michel, Monday.—­I know not why I open my book, or why I should keep accounts of times and places.  I saw nothing of Turin but what I beheld from my window:  and as soon as I could travel we set off, crossed Mount Cenis in a storm, slept at Lans-le-bourg, and reached this place yesterday, where I am again ill, and worse—­worse than ever.

Is it not strange that while life is thus rapidly wasting, I should still be so strong to suffer? the pang, the agony is not less acute at this moment, than when, fifteen months ago, the poignard was driven to my heart.  The cup, though I have nearly drained it to the last, is not less bitter now than when first presented to my lips.  But this is not well; why indeed should I repine? mine was but a common fate—­like a true woman, I did but stake my all of happiness upon one cast—­and lost!

* * * * *

Lyons, 19th.—­Good God! for what purpose do we feel! why within our limited sphere of action, our short and imperfect existence have we such boundless capacity for enjoying and suffering? no doubt for some good purpose.  But I cannot think as I used to think:  my ideas are perplexed:  it is all pain of heart and confusion of mind; a sense of bitterness, and wrong, and sorrow, which I cannot express, nor yet quite suppress.  If the cloud would but clear away that I might feel and see to do what is right! but all is dark, and heavy, and vacant; my mind is dull, and my eyes are dim, and I am scarce conscious of any thing around me.

A few days passed here in quiet, and kind Dr. P** have revived me a little.

All the way from Turin I have slept almost constantly, if that can be called sleep, which was rather the stupor of exhaustion, and left me still sensible of what was passing round me.  I heard voices, though I knew not what they said; and I felt myself moved from place to place though I neither knew nor cared whither.