This letter was concluded by an act of confidence which would have had an effect upon any other man; for, in desiring Grimm to weigh my reasons and afterwards to give me his opinion, I informed him that, let this be what it would, I should act accordingly, and such was my intention had he even thought I ought to set off; for M. d’Epinay having appointed himself the conductor of his wife, my going with them would then have had a different appearance; whereas it was I who, in the first place, was asked to take upon me that employment, and he was out of the question until after my refusal.

The answer from Grimm was slow incoming; it was singular enough, on which account I will here transcribe it.

“The departure of Madam d’Epinay is postponed; her son is ill, and it is necessary to wait until his health is re-established.  I will consider the contents of your letter.  Remain quiet at your Hermitage.  I will send you my opinion as soon as this shall be necessary.  As she will certainly not set off for some days, there is no immediate occasion for it.  In the meantime you may, if you think proper, make her your offers, although this to me seems a matter of indifference.  For, knowing your situation as well as you do yourself, I doubt not of her returning to your offer such an answer as she ought to do; and all the advantage which, in my opinion, can result from this, will be your having it in your power to say to those by whom you may be importuned, that your not being of the travelling party was not for want of having made your offers to that effect.  Moreover, I do not see why you will absolutely have it that the philosopher is the speaking-trumpet of all the world, nor because he is of opinion you ought to go, why you should imagine all your friends think as he does?  If you write to Madam d’Epinay, her answer will be yours to all your friends, since you have it so much at heart to give them all an answer.  Adieu.  I embrace Madam le Vasseur and the Criminal.”

[M. le Vasseur, whose wife governed him rather rudely, called her the Lieutenant Criminal.  Grimm in a joke gave the same name to the daughter, and by way of abridgment was pleased to retrench the first word.]

Struck with astonishment at reading this letter I vainly endeavored to find out what it meant.  How! instead of answering me with simplicity, he took time to consider of what I had written, as if the time he had already taken was not sufficient!  He intimates even the state of suspense in which he wishes to keep me, as if a profound problem was to be resolved, or that it was of importance to his views to deprive me of every means of comprehending his intentions until the moment he should think proper to make them known.  What therefore did he mean by these precautions, delays, and mysteries?  Was this manner of acting consistent with honor and uprightness?  I vainly sought for some favorable interpretation of his conduct; it was impossible to