You will easily imagine how much this speech pleased me, and how awkwardly I answered it; I hemmed once or twice (for it gave me a bur in my throat) before I could tell her that I was very much obliged to her; that it was true, that I had a great deal of reason to distrust my own behavior, not being used to fine company; and that I should be proud of being her novice, and receiving her instructions.

As soon as I had fumbled out this answer, she called up three or four people to her, and said:  Savez-vous (for she was a foreigner, and I was abroad) que j’ai entrepris ce jeune homme, et qu’il le faut rassurer?  Pour moi, je crois en avoir fait——­[Do you know that I have undertaken this young man, and he must be encouraged?  As for me, I think I have made a conquest of him; for he just now ventured to tell me, although tremblingly, that it is warm.  You will assist me in polishing him.  He must necessarily have a passion for somebody; if he does not think me worthy of being the object, he will seek out some other.  However, my novice, do not disgrace yourself by frequenting opera girls and actresses; who will not require of you sentiments and politeness, but will be your ruin in every respect.  I repeat it to you, my, friend, if you should get into low, mean company, you will be undone.  Those creatures will destroy your fortune and your health, corrupt your morals, and you will never acquire the style of good company.]

The company laughed at this lecture, and I was stunned with it.  I did not know whether she was serious or in jest.  By turns I was pleased, ashamed, encouraged, and dejected.  But when I found afterward, that both she, and those to whom she had presented me, countenanced and protected me in company, I gradually got more assurance, and began not to be ashamed of endeavoring to be civil.  I copied the best masters, at first servilely, afterward more freely, and at last I joined habit and invention.

All this will happen to you, if you persevere in the desire of pleasing and shining as a man of the world; that part of your character is the only one about which I have at present the least doubt.  I cannot entertain the least suspicion of your moral character; your learned character is out of question.  Your polite character is now the only remaining object that gives me the least anxiety; and you are now in the right way of finishing it.  Your constant collision with good company will, of course, smooth and polish you.  I could wish that you would say, to the five or six men or women with whom you are the most acquainted, that you are sensible that, from youth and inexperience, you must make many mistakes in good-breeding; that you beg of them to correct you, without reserve, wherever they see you fail; and that you shall take such admonition as the strongest proofs of their friendship.  Such a confession and application will be very engaging to those to whom you make them.  They will tell others of them, who will be pleased