After what had passed, not having the least confidence in Madam d’ Epinay, I was unwilling to renew my connection with her; I returned no answer to this letter, and there our correspondence ended.  Perceiving I had taken my resolution, she took hers; and, entering into all the views of Grimm and the Coterie Holbachique, she united her efforts with theirs to accomplish my destruction.  Whilst they manoevured at Paris, she did the same at Geneva.  Grimm, who afterwards went to her there, completed what she had begun.  Tronchin, whom they had no difficulty in gaining over, seconded them powerfully, and became the most violent of my persecutors, without having against me, any more than Grimm had, the least subject of complaint.  They all three spread in silence that of which the effects were seen there four years afterwards.

They had more trouble at Paris, where I was better known to the citizens, whose hearts, less disposed to hatred, less easily received its impressions.  The better to direct their blow, they began by giving out that it was I who had left them.  Thence, still feigning to be my friends, they dexterously spread their malignant accusations by complaining of the injustice of their friend.  Their auditors, thus thrown off their guard, listened more attentively to what was said of me, and were inclined to blame my conduct.  The secret accusations of perfidy and ingratitude were made with greater precaution, and by that means with greater effect.  I knew they imputed to me the most atrocious crimes without being able to learn in what these consisted.  All I could infer from public rumor was that this was founded upon the four following capital offences:  my retiring to the country; my passion for Madam d’Houdetot; my refusing to accompany Madam d’Epinay to Geneva, and my leaving the Hermitage.  If to these they added other griefs, they took their measures so well that it has hitherto been impossible for me to learn the subject of them.

It is therefore at this period that I think I may fix the establishment of a system, since adopted by those by whom my fate has been determined, and which has made such a progress as will seem miraculous to persons who know not with what facility everything which favors the malignity of man is established.  I will endeavor to explain in a few words what to me appeared visible in this profound and obscure system.

With a name already distinguished and known throughout all Europe, I had still preserved my primitive simplicity.  My mortal aversion to all party faction and cabal had kept me free and independent, without any other chain than the attachments of my heart.  Alone, a stranger, without family or fortune, and unconnected with everything except my principles and duties, I intrepidly followed the paths of uprightness, never flattering or favoring any person at the expense of truth and justice.  Besides, having lived for two years past in solitude, without observing the course of events, I was unconnected with the affairs of the world, and not informed of what passed, nor desirous of being acquainted with it.  I lived four leagues from Paris as much separated from that. capital by my negligence as I should have been in the Island of Tinian by the sea.