M. d’Epinay, and after another interval to Madam de Luxembourg; and this freely and voluntarily, without being under the least necessity of doing it, having it in my power to conceal the step from all the world; for La Gouin was an honest woman, very discreet, and a person on whom I had the greatest reliance.  The only one of my friends to whom it was in some measure my interest to open myself, was Thierry the physician, who had the care of my poor aunt in one of her lyings in, in which she was very ill.  In a word, there was no mystery in my conduct, not only on account of my never having concealed anything from my friends, but because I never found any harm in it.  Everything considered, I chose the best destination for my children, or that which I thought to be such.  I could have wished, and still should be glad, had I been brought up as they have been.

Whilst I was thus communicating what I had done, Madam. le Vasseur did the same thing amongst her acquaintance, but with less disinterested views.  I introduced her and her daughter to Madam Dupin, who, from friendship to me, showed them the greatest kindness.  The mother confided to her the secret of the daughter.  Madam Dupin, who is generous and kind, and to whom she never told how attentive I was to her, notwithstanding my moderate resources, in providing for everything, provided on her part for what was necessary, with a liberality which, by order of her mother, the daughter concealed from me during my residence in Paris, nor ever mentioned it until we were at the Hermitage, when she informed me of it, after having disclosed to me several other secrets of her heart.  I did not know Madam Dupin, who never took the least notice to me of the matter, was so well informed:  I know not yet whether Madam de Chenonceaux, her daughter-in-law, was as much in the secret:  but Madam de Brancueil knew the whole and could not refrain from prattling.  She spoke of it to me the following year, after I had left her house.  This induced me to write her a letter upon the subject, which will be found in my collections, and wherein I gave such of my reasons as I could make public, without exposing Madam le Vasseur and her family; the most determinative of them came from that quarter, and these I kept profoundly secret.

I can rely upon the discretion of Madam Dupin, and the friendship of Madam de Chenonceaux; I had the same dependence upon that of Madam de Francuiel, who, however, was long dead before my secret made its way into the world.  This it could never have done except by means of the persons to whom I intrusted it, nor did it until after my rupture with them.  By this single fact they are judged; without exculpating myself from the blame I deserve, I prefer it to that resulting from their malignity.  My fault is great, but it was an error.  I have neglected my duty, but the desire of doing an injury never entered my heart; and the feelings of a father were never more eloquent in favor of children whom he never saw.  But:  betraying the confidence of friendship, violating the most sacred of all engagements, publishing secrets confided to us, and wantonly dishonoring the friend we have deceived, and who in detaching himself from our society still respects us, are not faults, but baseness of mind, and the last degree of heinousness.