The experience I began to acquire tended to moderate my romantic projects; for example, I did not fall in love with Madam de Bonac, but also felt I did not stand much chance of succeeding in the service of her husband.  M. de la Martiniere was already in the only place that could have satisfied my ambition, and M. de Marianne in expectancy:  thus my utmost hopes could only aspire to the office of under secretary, which did not infinitely tempt me:  this was the reason that when consulted on the situation I should like to be placed in, I expressed a great desire to go to Paris.  The ambassador readily gave in to the idea, which at least tended to disembarrass him of me.  M. de Mervilleux interpreting secretary to the embassy, said, that his friend, M. Godard, a Swiss colonel, in the service of France, wanted a person to be with his nephew, who had entered very young into the service, and made no doubt that I should suit him.  On this idea, so lightly formed, my departure was determined; and I, who saw a long journey to perform with Paris at the end of it, was enraptured with the project.  They gave me several letters, a hundred livres to defray the expenses of my journey, accompanied with some good advice, and thus equipped I departed.

I was a fortnight making the journey, which I may reckon among the happiest days of my life.  I was young, in perfect health, with plenty of money, and the most brilliant hopes, add to this, I was on foot, and alone.  It may appear strange, I should mention the latter circumstance as advantageous, if my peculiarity of temper is not already familiar to the reader.  I was continually occupied with a variety of pleasing chimeras, and never did the warmth of my imagination produce more magnificent ones.  When offered an empty place in a carriage, or any person accosted me on the road, how vexed was I to see that fortune overthrown, whose edifice, while walking, I had taken such pains to rear.

For once my ideas were all martial:  I was going to live with a military man; nay, to become one, for it was concluded I should begin with being a cadet.  I already fancied myself in regimentals, with a fine white feather nodding on my hat, and my heart was inflamed by the noble idea.  I had some smattering of geometry and fortification; my uncle was an engineer; I was in a manner a soldier by inheritance.  My short sight, indeed, presented some little obstacle, but did not by any means discourage me, as I reckoned to supply that defect by coolness and intrepidity.  I had read, too, that Marshal Schomberg was remarkably shortsighted, and why might not Marshal Rousseau be the same?  My imagination was so warm by these follies, that it presented nothing but troops, ramparts, gabions, batteries, and myself in the midst of fire and smoke, an eyeglass in hand, commanding with the utmost tranquility.  Notwithstanding, when the country presented a delightful prospect, when I saw charming groves and rivulets, the pleasing sight made me sigh with regret, and feel, in the midst of all this glory, that my heart was not formed for such havoc; and soon without knowing how, I found my thoughts wandering among my dear sheep-folds, renouncing forever the labor of Mars.