In vain, my dear Aza, has been my prayers, complaints, and remonstrances: I was obliged to quit my desired retreat; I yielded to Celina's importunity, and we have been three days in the country since the celebration of her marriage.

What pain, what regret, what anguish did I feel at leaving the dear precious objects of my solitude! Alas! I had scarcely had them long enough to enjoy them; and I am sure I can find nothing here to make me amends for this loss!

The pleasures which enchant every one else, are so far from pleasing me, that they only make me look back to those peaceful days I spent in writing to, or at least in thinking of you, with the more anxiety.

The diversions of this country appear to me as affected and unnatural as their manners; they consist in extreme gaiety, expressed by loud laughing, in which the soul seems to take no part; of insipid games, in which money makes all the pleasure; or else in conversations so trifling, in which the same words are continually repeated, that it rather resembles the chattering of birds than the discourse of thinking beings.

The young men, great numbers of whom appear at Celina's, were at first much taken up in following and endeavouring to oblige me; but whether the coldness of my conversation has disgusted them, or that the little relish I shewed for theirs has tired them of taking any pains to serve me, I know not; but two days were sufficient to make them give me up, and deliver me from their troublesome notice.

The natural propensity which the French have to extremes is so great, that Deterville, who is in general exempt from the faults of his nation, does yet partake of this.

Not satisfied with keeping the promise he has made, of no more entertaining me with his passion, he avoids being at all alone with me; so that though we are obliged continually to see one another, yet have I not been able to find one opportunity of talking privately with him.