This letter filled me with indignation and affliction; and, in the excess of my pangs, feeling my pride wounded, I answered him by the following note: 

MONTMORUNCY, 11th October, 1758.

“Sir:  While reading your letter, I did you the honor to be surprised at it, and had the weakness to suffer it to affect me; but I find it unworthy of an answer.

“I will no longer continue the copies of Madam d’Houdetot.  If it be not agreeable to her to keep that she has, she may sent it me back and I will return her money.  If she keeps it, she must still send for the rest of her paper and the money; and at the same time I beg she will return me the prospectus which she has in her possession.  Adieu, sir.”

Courage under misfortune irritates the hearts of cowards, but it is pleasing to generous minds.  This note seemed to make Saint Lambert reflect with himself and to regret his having been so violent; but too haughty in his turn to make open advances, he seized and perhaps prepared, the opportunity of palliating what he had done.

A fortnight afterwards I received from Madam d’Epinay the following letter: 

Thursday, 26th.

“Sir:  I received the book you had the goodness to send me, and which I have read with much pleasure.  I have always experienced the same sentiment in reading all the works which have come from your pen.  Receive my thanks for the whole.  I should have returned you these in person had my affairs permitted me to remain any time in your neighborhood; but I was not this year long at the Chevrette.  M. and Madam Dupin come there on Sunday to dinner.  I expect M. de Saint Lambert, M. de Francueil, and Madam d’Houdetot will be of the party; you will do me much pleasure by making one also.  All the persons who are to dine with me, desire, and will, as well as myself, be delighted to pass with you a part of the day.  I have the honor to be with the most perfect consideration,” etc.

This letter made my heart beat violently; after having for a year past been the subject of conversation of all Paris, the idea of presenting myself as a spectacle before Madam d’Houdetot, made me tremble, and I had much difficulty to find sufficient courage to support that ceremony.  Yet as she and Saint Lambert were desirous of it, and Madam d’Epinay spoke in the name of her guests without naming one whom I should not be glad to see, I did not think I should expose myself accepting a dinner to which I was in some degree invited by all the persons who with myself were to partake of it.  I therefore promised to go:  on Sunday the weather was bad, and Madam D’Epinay sent me her carriage.