Page:Letters of Mlle. de Lespinasse.djvu/82

1773] troops ; after that, lie goes to Silesia ; that is all I know, and all that interests me." After this we talked of the Opera, of Madame la Dauphine and of a thousand " interesting " things. I tell you all this to show you that I do not like society to gossip about your affections, your dislikes, your inconstancies. I like to hear only of your merit, your virtue, your talents ; am I wrong ?

I have written three times to Berlin since the 6th of June. No doubt they will forward your letters; I remember the desire you will have to receive certain letters, " the de- privation of which tiu-ned your head." For pity's sake do not treat me so well ; do not write to me first, because then (without being aware of it) you will write to me merely for the sake of saying you have written. Do not come to me until you have nothing more to say to her ; that is in the order of things ; friendship comes after, sometimes at a great distance, sometimes very near — too near perhaps — the un- happy love ! We love so much that which comforts us ! it is so sweet to love that which gives us pleasure. I do not know why it is, but something warns me that I shall say of your friendship what Comte d'Argenson said on seeing, for the first time, his pretty niece. Mile, de Berville. " Ah ! " he cried, " she is very pretty ! let us hope she will give us many griefs."

What do you think of that ? But you are so strong, so moderate, and above all so occupied, that you are equally sheltered from great sorrows and little griefs. That is how minds should be, how talents should be ; it is that which renders human beings superior to events. And when, with that, a man is as honourable and, above all, as feeling as you are, he is no doubt painfully affected, — enough so to satisfy ordinary friendship ; but he is soon diverted from the emo- tions of his soul when his head is eagerly and deeply