How much you afflict me, my dear friend, by the account you give me of your situation. And you wish me to have the cruelty to place before your eyes, all those little faults which have produced such great misfortunes! Did you not make this request to me merely to affect me, and to take from me the power of reproaching you? It would not be the first time you had made use of this artifice. But, my dear friend, do you not know it is impossible for me to let an opportunity escape of preaching to you? Besides, I am well persuaded it is still in your power to change your present uneasy situation, and make it perfectly happy. But for this end you must have great perseverance, and a resolute and determined mind. Your first fault proceeded formerly from your thinking it perfectly genteel, to appear cold and disdainful to your husband; he was very nearly of the same opinion; and this conformity of sentiment ought to have prevented your coming together. With regard to the vexation his attachment to Madame de Gerville has caused you, it is but too true, that you in great measure owe it to yourself. I have kept all your letters, and have this morning found one which you wrote me on this subject twelve years ago. It is now by me on the table, and I will copy it exactly.

'At length, my dear cousin, all my wishes are accomplished; I have no more fears nor uneasiness for the future. I am now sure of being for ever at liberty, and enjoying my own ease. Mons. de Limours is fallen in love with a woman of intrigue. They assure me it is a real passion; that it is natural, and that it is an engagement entered into for life. Now, if you wish to know the name of the object, it is Madame de Gerville; and as you do not know her, I will give you a description of her.