Wherever I went I had to tell the story of my escape from The Leads.  This became a service almost as tiring as the flight itself had been, as it took me two hours to tell my tale, without the slightest bit of fancy-work; but I had to be polite to the curious enquirers, and to pretend that I believed them moved by the most affectionate interest in my welfare.  In general, the best way to please is to take the benevolence of all with whom one has relation for granted.

I supped at Silvia’s, and as the evening was quieter than the night before, I had time to congratulate myself on all the friendship they shewed me.  The girl was, as I had said, fifteen years old, and I was in every way charmed with her.  I complimented the mother on the good results of her education, and I did not even think of guarding myself from falling a victim to her charms.  I had taken so lately such well-founded and philosophical resolutions, and I was not yet sufficiently at my ease to value the pain of being tempted.  I left at an early hour, impatient to see what kind of an answer the minister had sent me.  I had not long to wait, and I received a short letter appointing a meeting for two o’clock in the afternoon.  It may be guessed that I was punctual, and my reception by his excellence was most flattering.  M. de Bernis expressed his pleasure at seeing me after my fortunate escape, and at being able to be of service to me.  He told me that M——­ M——­ had informed him of my escape, and he had flattered himself that the first person I should go and see in Paris would be himself.  He shewed me the letters from M——­ M——­ relating to my arrest and escape, but all the details in the latter were purely imaginary and had no foundation in fact.  M——­ M——­ was not to blame, as she could only write what she had heard, and it was not easy for anyone besides myself to know the real circumstances of my escape.  The charming nun said that, no longer buoyed up by the hope of seeing either of the men who alone had made her in love with life, her existence had become a burden to her, and she was unfortunate in not being able to take any comfort in religion.  “C—–­C——­ often comes to see me,” she said, “but I grieve to say she is not happy with her husband.”

I told M. de Bernis that the account of my flight from The Leads, as told by our friend, was wholly inaccurate, and I would therefore take the liberty of writing out the whole story with the minutest details.  He challenged me to keep my word, assuring me that he would send a copy to M——­ M——­, and at the same time, with the utmost courtesy, he put a packet of a hundred Louis in my hand, telling me that he would think what he could do for me, and would advise me as soon as he had any communication to make.

Thus furnished with ample funds, my first care was for my dress; and this done I went to work, and in a week sent my generous protector the result, giving him permission to have as many copies printed as he liked, and to make any use he pleased of it to interest in my behalf such persons as might be of service to me.