Page:Clermont - Roche (1798, volume 2).djvu/190

 worldly want. Do not suffer any apprehensions about my health to disturb your mind; my body has not sympathized as much as you might have supposed with my mind; I am not ill, indeed, though a little fatigued; but there is nothing now (alas! I sigh as I say so) to prevent my taking repose.

"I now regret more than ever the departure of my good friends, Madame Chatteneuf and her daughter; had they continued at V, I am sure, on the first intimation of the melancholy event which has happened, they would have flown to the castle; and their society, I think, would a little have alleviated my feelings. When I sat down, I did not imagine I could have written above a few lines; but now I find that in writing to, as well as in conversing with, a beloved friend, one is insensibly drawn on, and comforted by being so.

"I have now, however, written almost to the extent of my paper; and as I have no-