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greatly assuaged； and now I began to comfort myself in the
reflection that this gentleman's being a finished coquette was
very likely the only thing could have preserved me； for he was
the only man from whom I was ever in any danger。 By that time I
was got tolerably well we returned to Paris； and I confess I both
wished and feared to see this cause of all my pain： however； I
hoped； by the help of my resentment； to be able to meet him with
indifference。 This employed my thoughts till our arrival。 The
next day there was a very full court to congratulate the queen on
her recovery； and amongst the rest my love appeared dressed and
adorned as if he designed some new conquest。 Instead of seeing a
woman he despised and slighted； he approached me with that
assured air which is common to successful coxcombs。 At the same
time I perceived I was surrounded by all those ladies who were on
his account my greatest enemies； and； in revenge； wished for
nothing more than to see me make a ridiculous figure。 This
situation so perplexed my thoughts； that when he came near enough
to speak to me； I fainted away in his arms。 Had I studied which
way I could gratify him most； it was impossible to have done
anything to have pleased him more。 Some that stood by brought
smelling…bottles； and used means for my recovery； and I was
welcomed to returning life by all those repartees which women
enraged by envy are capable of venting。 One cried 'Well； I never
thought my lord had anything so frightful in his person or so
fierce in his manner as to strike a young lady dead at the sight
of him。' 'No； no；' says another； 'some ladies' senses are more
apt to be hurried by agreeable than disagreeable objects。' With
many more such sort of speeches which showed more malice than
wit。 This not being able to bear； trembling； and with but just
strength enough to move； I crawled to my coach and hurried home。
When I was alone； and thought on what had happened to me in a
public court； I was at first driven to the utmost despair； but
afterwards； when I came to reflect； I believe this accident
contributed more to my being cured of my passion than any other
could have done。 I began to think the only method to pique the
man who had used me so barbarously； and to be revenged on my
spiteful rivals； was to recover that beauty which was then
languid and had lost its luster； to let them see I had still
charms enough to engage as many lovers as I could desire； and
that I could yet rival them who had thus cruelly insulted me。
These pleasing hopes revived my sinking spirits。 and worked a
more effectual cure on me than all the philosophy and advice of
the wisest men could have done。 I now employed all my time and
care in adorning my person； and studying the surest means of
engaging the affections of others； while I myself continued quite
indifferent； for I resolved for the future； if ever one soft
thought made its way to my heart； to fly the object of it； and by
new lovers to drive the image from my breast。 I consulted my
glass every morning； and got such a command of my countenance
that I could suit it to the different tastes of variety of
lovers； and though I was young； for I was not yet above
seventeen； yet my public way of life gave me such continual
opportunities of conversing with men； and the strong desire I now
had of pleasing them led me to make such constant observations on
everything they said or did； that I soon found out the different
methods of dealing with them。 I observed that most men generally
liked in women what was most opposite to their own characters；
therefore to the grave solid man of sense I endeavored to appear
sprightly and full of spirit； to the witty and gay； soft and
languishing； to the amorous （for they want no increase of their
passions）； cold and reserved； to the fearful and backward； warm
and full of fire； and so of all the rest。 As to beaux； and all
of those sort of men； whose desires are centered in the
satisfaction of their vanity； I had learned by sad experience the
only way to deal with them was to laugh at them and let their own
good opinion of themselves be the only support of their hopes。 I
knew； while I could get other followers； I was sure of them； for
the only sign of modesty they ever give is that of not depending
on their own judgments； but following the opinions of the
greatest number。 Thus furnished with maxims； and grown wise by
past errors； I in a manner began the world again： I appeared in
all public places handsomer and more lively than ever； to the
amazement of every one who saw me and had heard of the affair
between me and my lord。 He himself was much surprised and vexed
at this sudden change； nor could he account how it was possible
for me so soon to shake off those chains he thought he had fixed
on me for life； nor was he willing to lose his conquest in this
manner。 He endeavored by all means possible to talk to me again
of love； but I stood fixed to my resolution （in which I was
greatly assisted by the crowd of admirers that daily surrounded
me） never to let him explain himself： for； notwithstanding all
my pride； I found the first impression the heart receives of love
is so strong that it requires the most vigilant care to prevent
a relapse。 Now I lived three years in a constant round of
diversions； and was made the perfect idol of all the men that
came to court of all ages and all characters。 I had several good
matches offered me； but I thought none of them equal to my merit；
and one of my greatest pleasures was to see those women who had
pretended to rival me often glad to marry those whom I had
refused。 Yet； notwithstanding this great success of my schemes；
I cannot say I was perfectly happy； for every woman that was
taken the least notice of； and every man that was insensible to
my arts； gave me as much pain as all the rest gave me pleasure；
and sometimes little underhand plots which were laid against my
designs would succeed in spite of my care： so that I really
began to grow weary of this manner of life； when my father；
returning from his embassy in France； took me home with him； and
carried me to a little pleasant country…house； where there was
nothing grand or superfluous； but everything neat and agreeable。
There I led a life perfectly solitary。 At first the time hung
very heavy on my hands； and I wanted all kind of employment； and
I had very like to have fallen into the height of the vapors；
from no other reason but from want of knowing what to do with
myself。 But when I had lived here a little time I found such a
calmness in my mind； and such a difference between this and the
restless anxieties I had experienced in a court； that I began to
share the tranquillity that visibly appeared in everything round
me。 I set myself to do works of fancy； and to raise little
flower…gardens； with many such innocent rural amusements； which；
although they are not capable of affording