H—, August 20.
I want to know what steps you have taken respecting ——. Knavery always
rouses my indignation—I should be gratified to hear that the law had
chastised —— severely; but I do not wish you to see him, because the
business does not now admit of peaceful discussion, and I do not exactly
know how you would express your contempt.
Pray ask some questions about Tallien—I am still pleased with the
dignity of his conduct.—The other day, in the cause of humanity, he made
use of a degree of address, which I admire—and mean to point out to you,
as one of the few instances of address which do credit to the abilities
of the man, without taking away from that confidence in his openness of
heart, which is the true basis of both public and private friendship.
Do not suppose that I mean to allude to a little reserve of temper in
you, of which I have sometimes complained! You have been used to a
cunning woman, and you almost look for cunning—Nay, in _managing_ my
happiness, you now and then wounded my sensibility, concealing yourself
till honest sympathy, giving you to me without disguise, lets me look
into a heart, which my halfbroken one wishes to creep into, to be
revived and cherished.——You have frankness of heart, but not often
exactly that overflowing (_épanchement de cœur_), which becoming almost
childish, appears a weakness only to the weak.
But I have left poor Tallien. I wanted you to enquire likewise whether,
as a member declared in the convention, Robespierre really maintained a
number of mistresses—Should it prove so, I suspect that they rather
flattered his vanity than his senses.
Here is a chatting, desultory epistle! But do not suppose that I mean to
close it without mentioning the little damsel—who has been almost
springing out of my arm—she certainly looks very like you—but I do not
love her the less for that, whether I am angry or pleased with you.—
Yours affectionately
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