142 LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC MEN.

idol of his imagination, he found her image displaced bythat of madame d’Houdetot, and with a pang recognisedthe new power that possessed him.

Sophist, as on many occasions Rousseau undoubtedlywas, he reasoned on his feelings till the very causes thatought to have made him resolve to crush the nascent pas-sion, were changed by him into motives for fostering it.He had enounced a severe code of morality, and calledthe permitted liaisons of Parisian society by the harsh ■name of adultery; and it would have been base indeedto have been tempted into forming such himself. Therewas no danger of this. Madame d’Houdetot loved an-other, superior to himself in all qualities that attract,with warmth and truth. He duped himself, therefore,by the vain sophism, that he only injured himself bynourishing an unreturned passion.

Could he have confined it to his own heart, the in- 'jury would have been great enough; disturbing his \peace, wrecking the little of proud consolatory thoughtswhich he preserved. But from the first he avowed hislove to its object, and continued to pour the ferventexpressions it inspired into her ear; secure in themistaken notion, that as he did not seek to win her, butonly to unburden his heart, the indulgence was innocent.He says that he should blame madame d’Houdetot forlistening, had he been young and good-looking: still hewas not so very old; perhaps suffering added years tohis appearance ; hut at all events the lady acted withgreat imprudence. Her artless noble character lifts herfar above unworthy suspicion • but she was thoughtlessand inexperienced ; the dupe of mistaken compassion.She allowed Rousseau to visit her frequently; to writeto her; to pour out the declarations of his love; neverfeeling inclined to participate in his sentiments, she yetwished to preserve his friendship and to enjoy his society.For four months they were continually together. Hewalked over to her house at Eaubonne —they met half- ;way—they rambled together in the neighbouring country.Such unguarded conduct excited remark. Madame