Saint ***.

Tuesday April 18.

She is married! … O God, grant that it may be for her happiness! … that hope alone directed me. Neither interest nor ambition determined my choice: I may therefore be allowed to expect from this union all the joy of my life.

You will credit me, that I never closed my eyes this night: No sooner did I behold the first dawn of day, than I rung. I rose hastily, and was going down to Mons. d’ Almane, when my daughter came into my room: she threw herself into my arms; afterwards she fell at my feet, bathed in tears, and eagerly embracing my knees … Oh, Mamma! exclaimed she, you are going to give me a new master; but in delegating to him those sacred rites which you have over your daughter, promise me at least to preserve and exert them yourself in their full extent. On my part I vow you the same submissive obedience I have ever paid you. The first and dearest wish of my heart is, to take you for my model, to copy you, if it be possible; to observe all your advice, to devote my love to you. I am sensible, that all your happiness depends on my conduct. Ah! I will justify your expectations! … Did I not respect my duties, I would fulfill them, to insure your felicity; I would fulfil them for your sake, who was to me in the place of a Governess and an instructress; who was my dear benefactress, my tender mother! … At these words she raised her arms towards me; and looked at me with those melting eyes, which so justly describe the tenderness and purity of her soul! … I raised her up, and embraced her a thousand times. I could not speak, but she saw into my heart

In about half an hour Mons. d’ Almane and Theodore came to seek us. My son, already dressed, hastened us to our toilets.