I doubt much whether the poor English philosopher has not perceived a
little of the same influence. After we had conducted your cousin home,
seeing us all in high spirits, he proposed that we should retire to
his lodgings and have a little music, and a bowl of punch. While his
servants were assembling, he never ceased talking of you; but with so
much warmth, that, I confess, I should not hear his praise from your
lips with as much pleasure as you did from mine. Upon the whole, I am
not fond of hearing any body speak of you, except your cousin. Every
word seems to deprive me of a part of my secret, or my pleasure, and
whatever they say appears so suspicious, or is so infinitely short of
what I feel, that I would hear no discourse upon the subject but my
own.
It is not that, like you, I am at all inclined to jealousy: no, I am
better acquainted with the soul of my Eloisa; and I have certain
sureties that exclude even the possibility of your inconstancy. After
your protestations, I have nothing more to say concerning your other
pretenders; but this Lord, Eloisa----equality of rank----your
father’s prepossession----In short, you know my life is depending. For
heaven’s sake, deign to give me a line or two upon this subject: one
single word from Eloisa, and I shall be satisfied for ever.
I passed the night in attending to, and playing, Italian music; for
there were some duets, and I was forced to take a part. I dare not yet
tell you what effect it had on me; but I fear, I fear, the impression
of last night’s supper influenced the harmony, and that I mistook the
effect of your enchantment for the power of music. Why should not the
same cause which made it disagreeable at Sion, gave it a contrary
effect in a contrary situation? Are not you the source of every
affection of my soul, and am I proof against the power of your magic?
If it had really been the music which produced the enchantment, every
one present must have been affected in the same manner; but whilst I
was all rapture and extasy, Mr. Orbe sat snoring in an armed chair,
and when I awoke him with my exclamations, all the praise he bestowed
was to ask, whether your cousin understood Italian.
All this will be better explained to-morrow; for we are to have
another concert this evening. His Lordship is determined to have it
compleat, and has sent to Lausanne for a second violin, who, he says,
is a tolerable hand. On my part, I shall carry some French _scenes_
and cantatas.
When I first returned to my room I sunk into my chair, quite exhausted
and overcome; for want of practice I am but a poor rake: but I no
sooner took my pen to write to you, than I found myself gradually
recover. Yet I must endeavour to sleep a few hours. Come with me; my
sweet friend, and do not leave me whilst I slumber but whether thy
image brings me pain or pleasure, whether it reminds me, or not, of
Fanny’s wedding, it cannot deprive me of that delightful moment, when
I shall awake and recollect my felicity.