Old men,
like children, can conceal nothing from those they love, and who
have obtained over them an influence they willingly submit to.
Before I proceed to more important events, I would fain speak of
persons with whom I lived before my elevation. My godfather,
M. Billard du Monceau, was still living, as well as madame Lagarde,
with whom I had resided as companion. My interview with the
former is well known; and the authors of "Anecdotes of My Life,"
published thirteen years since, have strictly adhered to the truth,
with the exception of some vulgarisms they have put into the
mouth of that excellent man which he never uttered.
As to madame Lagarde, she was strangely surprised to see me arrive
at her house; and the evident embarrassment my presence occasioned
her was a sufficient revenge on my part for the many unkind things
she had said and done respecting me. I would not prolong her
uncomfortable situation, but studied to conduct myself with the
same unaffected simplicity of former days. I talked over the
past, inquired after her family, and offered my best services and
protection without malice for what was gone by, and with perfect
sincerity for the future. But spite of all my endeavors to spare
her feelings, it was evident that rage and humiliation at the
advantage my altered fortunes gave me over her, struggled within
her, and the conflict of her mind was but too plainly depicted in
her countenance.
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