Having visited my little infant, I next day set out for the
duke's country seat, which is a most elegant chateau, and stands
in a charming situation. Mr. S--- followed in a few days. We met
with a very cordial reception; his grace was civil and good-natured,
lived nobly, and loved pleasure; Madame de la T-- was formed to
please. There was always a great deal of company in the house;
so that we passed our time agreeably in playing at billiards and
cards, hunting, walking, reading, and conversation.
"But my terms of happiness were generally of short duration. In the
midst of this felicity I was overtaken by a most severe affliction,
in the death of my dear hapless infant, who had engrossed a greater
share of my tenderness than perhaps I even should have paid to the
offspring of a legitimate contract; because the circumstance of her
birth would have been an insurmountable misfortune to her through
the whole course of her life, and rendered her absolutely dependent
on my love and protection.
"While I still lamented the untimely fate of this fair blossom,
Lord -- came down, and demanded me as his wife; but the suit which
I then maintained against him deprived him, for the present, of a
husband's right; and therefore the duke would not deliver me into
his hands.
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