I had been pester’d with this Marquis for a long time. ’Twas he that took away _S----_ from me; and no sooner was I got into the Favor of Madame _de R----_, but he found a way to insinuate himself there too. I was so provok’d to see him always at my Heels, that I quarrel’d with him one day at _C----_, where we happen’d to meet at the House of the President _de N----_. We were actually at Daggers-drawing, when M. _de C----_ came and parted us. _V----_ assur’d me that he had no manner of Pretence to Madame _de R----_, and actually promis’d me, that if I did not like his Visits to her, he would not renew them. And he was as good as his Word, so that I was perfectly reconcil’d to him; but I was not at all pleas’d with Madam _de R----_. I saw plainly that I was betray’d. I had fresh Cause to suspect her every day, and yet I hugged the Chains wherewith she had bound me; in which I sufficiently confuted the vulgar Error of those who assert, that People never love heartily but once. I ought, however, to reflect a little upon this last Amour, which was extremely hurtful to me. Madam _de R----_ was so extravagant that a Man could not be upon good Terms with her, without being, at an excessive Expence. To support my self I borrow’d Money every where, till e’er long I knew not where to find Lenders. On the other hand my Creditors began to make me frequent Visits, till they were tir’d with my continually putting them off from one time to another, and then truly they resolv’d to proceed against me by Law; and at length took out a Writ to attach my Person. I was very much stunn’d at the News, but because I had put them in an ill Humor, I was willing to avoid the Effects of it, by keeping my Chamber for some days, till M. _de N----_ had procur’d me an Order to stay Prosecution. This Respite put me upon ways and means to find Money, all my Desire being to satisfy my Creditors. I was aware how difficult it was to get a sufficient Sum to pay them remitted from home; for all my Estate was entail’d upon my Brother and Mademoiselle _de Pollnitz_; and she never intended to give her Consent to the mortgaging of any part of it. Yet having no other way to bring my self out of Trouble, I got my Friends to intercede with her; which they did so powerfully, that at length they really prevail’d on her to agree to the borrowing of some Money upon the Estate, which was lent accordingly; and by this Means I got happily out of this Scrape. The Difficulties I had been plung’d in made me wiser, and I lessen’d my Expences, which I perceiv’d, indeed, was not the way to preserve the Favor of Madam _de R----_. But what should I do? To dip my self again over head and ears in Debt, and to run the risque of having another scurvy Action enter’d against me, was what I could not resolve on. At this same time I obtain’d a Pension of 2000 Livres; but as to an Employment, none could I get of the Secretary at War.