to end. I found in it a depth of passion which did not displease
me: I perfectly comprehended the obscurity of the latter phrase.
I needed a sort of mentor superior to comte Jean, and I preferred
the duc d'Aiguillon to any other, because he pleased me. This
feeling decided me, and I replied to him in these terms:--

"You are wrong, monsieur, to be annoyed, and to think
that I am not disposed to grant you my confidence. It
seems to me that I cannot place myself in better hands.
However, we do not know each other well enough for
me to repose in you at once: see me frequently, and
then, with the habit of being in your company, I will
allow myself to glide quietly into that state of
confidence which you desire. Yes, I am indeed a
stranger to all that passes around me; my only support
is the protection with which the king honors me. That
is all-powerful, but I will not employ it unseasonably
or improperly. I know that I need the counsels of
an honorable, prudent, and well-informed man. I accept,
therefore, of yours; I even ask them from you, if your
friendship go along with them. Adieu, monsieur. My
regards are due to your uncle, the marechal, the
first time you write to him."

This letter filled the duc d'Aiguillon with joy. Some days
afterwards, the prince de Soubise, who also wished to give me
his advice, did not attain the same success. It must be owned,
that, for a man of the world, he went about it in a very clumsy
way. He committed the extreme error of selecting mademoiselle
Guimard as mediatrix between himself and me. This lady came to