es. I knew, while
I could get other followers, I was sure of them; for the only sign of
modesty they ever give is that of not depending on their own judgments,
but following the opinions of the greatest number. Thus furnished with
maxims, and grown wise by past errors, I in a manner began the world
again: I appeared in all public places handsomer and more lively than
ever, to the amazement of every one who saw me and had heard of the
affair between me and my lord. He himself was much surprised and vexed
at this sudden change, nor could he account how it was possible for
me so soon to shake off those chains he thought he had fixed on me
for life; nor was he willing to lose his conquest in this manner. He
endeavored by all means possible to talk to me again of love, but I
stood fixed to my resolution (in which I was greatly assisted by the
crowd of admirers that daily surrounded me) never to let him explain
himself: for, notwithstanding all my pride, I found the first impression
the heart receives of love is so strong that it requires the most
vigilant care to prevent a relapse. Now I lived three years in a
constant round of diversions, and was made the perfect idol of all the
men that came to court of all ages and all characters. I had several
good matches offered me, but I thought none of them equal to my
merit; and one of my greatest pleasures was to see those women who had
pretended to rival me often glad to marry those whom I had refused. Yet,
notwithstanding this great success of my schemes, I cannot say I was
perfectly happy; for every woman that was taken the least notice of, and
every man that was insensible to my arts, gave me as much pain as all
the rest gave me pleasure; and sometimes little underhand plots which
were laid against my designs would succeed in spite of my care: so that
I really began to grow weary of this manner of life, when my father,
returning from his embassy in France, took me home with him, and carried
me to a little pleasant country-house, where there was nothing grand
or superfluous, but everything neat and agreeable. There I led a life
perfectly solitary. At first the time hung very heavy on my hands, and
I wanted all kind of employment, and I had very like to have fallen into
the height of the vapors, from no other reason but from want of knowing
what to do with myself. But when I had lived here a little time I found
such a calmness in my mind, and such a difference between this and the