P. S. I had almost forgot to tell you that M. Roguin made me the offer
of a company in the regiment he is raising for the king of Sardinia. I
was highly pleased at this brave man’s signal mark of his esteem, and
thanking him for his kindness, told him, the shortness of my sight,
and great love of a studious and sedentary life, unfitted me for so
active an employment. My love can claim no great share in this
sacrifice. Every one in my opinion owes his life to his country, which
therefore he should not risk in the service of those princes to whom
he is no ways indebted; much less is he at liberty to let himself out
for hire, and turn the noblest profession in the world into that of a
vile mercenary. These maxims I claim by inheritance from my father;
and happy enough should I be, could I imitate him as well in his
steady adherence to his duty, and love to his country. He never would
enter into the service of any foreign prince, but in the year 1712,
acquired great reputation in fighting for his country: he served in
many engagements, in one of which he was wounded, and at the battle of
Wilmerghen was so fortunate as, in the fight of general Sacconex, to
take a standard from the enemy.
Letter XXXV. From Eloisa.
I could never think, my dear friend, that what I hinted of Mrs. Belon
in jest could have excited so long or so serious an explanation. An
over eagerness in one’s own defence is sometimes productive of the
very reverse of its intention, and fixes a lasting suspicion instead
of removing or lightening the accusation. The most trifling incidents,
when attended to minutely, immediately grow up into events of
importance. Our situation indeed secures us from making this case our
own; for our hearts are too busy to listen to mere punctilios; though
all disputes between lovers on points of little moment, have too often
a much deeper foundation than they imagine.