As reproaching and talking freely is not here discouraged; so had I done any lewd trick, your confessor wou’d have acquainted you with it; for he keeps a strict correspondence with the chiefest ministers of our monarch. You have been jealous where you ought not, and the saints of _St. Germains_ and _Versailles_, when they come to discover the mystery of your curiosity, will never forgive you. The mealy mouth’d Goddess was always easy to be corrupted, and the old monster Envy prospers but too much; therefore take care of one, and prevent the other, that the sins of others may not be imputed to you. All that the world can say against your virtue, shall never diminish my good opinion of it; and if you do not believe the character I give of myself, consult [40] _Calprinede_, who has drawn me to the life, and was a great master in that way, as _Apelles_ in his. Farewel, fair princess, and remember that _Julia_ languishes with desire to see you. _The Princess of_ CONTI_’s Answer to_ JULIA. I did not expect to be honoured with a letter from so famous a princess as _Julia_: This makes my joy so much the greater. I do sincerely declare, that I take all you say to me so reasonable, that I can do no less than applaud it: And I further assure you, that I never search’d for your character in those disobliging authors who magnify the lest false step, and make an elephant of a mouse. I am satisfy’d to know you, as I find you in _Calprinede_; and the complaisance he pretends you had for _Ovid_, does not hinder me from having a great affection for your amiable qualities; and believing as advantageously of your modesty as you can desire. I am not so severe as to imagine a little indulgence can be a greater crime; but think those who will, for a little natural civility, ruin the reputation of courteous ladies, to be malicious people, only envying those gallantries which are addressed to others. But, madam, you have strangely surprized me with what you tell me of _Livia_; for I always believed, that when old ambition was her only blind side; but am astonished to hear she was amorous. This discovery confirms the received opinion, that old age has a wanton inclination, as well as youth, tho’ not so much ability; and since the wife of _Cæsar_ lov’d the language of the muses, I am not astonished that our saints of St. _Cyril_ have been charm’d with it. But, dear madam, is it certain that _Ovid_ disciplin’d her like a child; I thought the _Roman_ ladies had not wanted that exercise; and I believe my gallants will never be obliged to come to that extremity with me. I need not use much precaution against the folly of a second marriage; for tho’ I was coupled to a very charming young man, yet I soon found my expectations bilk’d, because the name of husband and wife, and thoughts of duty so lessened the pleasures of our softest embraces, that it made them odious. So that now I only love a spouse for a night, from whom I may be