L E T T E R S

552details of what is happening to me, speaking at lenght and pouring out to my Ladythe story of my interior life? I am seduced by Madam’s kindness. May themerciful God richly reward you, my Lady, in eternity, as well as in everythingthat Madame loves on earth.Hence, as Madame was once gracious and good enough to listen to mytroubles and afflictions, may my Lady now learn of their ending and of myconsolation. That is why I am writing this letter. And finally, because in pasttimes I scandalized my Lady so much by my fervor grown cold, by worldlyconversations and by the whole of my dissipated, disordered and bad life, I feelthat I have an obligation in conscience ―d’un faire ma amende honorable‖ 659humbly to beg Madame’s pardon for the scandal and with Christian joy and hopetell her about my penance and purpose of amendment.But, Madame is surely skipping sentences of my letter, looking for thenews that will most delight her heart: news of her Napoleon. And so, before I addanything more from or about myself, about him; I left Paris about a month ago.Before my departure I saw him 660 , healthy and in god spirits. He has respect and avery friendly sttitude toward Mr. Baude 661 ; and Mr. Baude is also happy with him.In general, his behavior is good, and he is learning well; he is becoming more andmore mature. He himself admits that, in rhetoric, he is now ―parmi des grands‖ 662 ,and can no longer act like a child. Ultimately, if to now there had been anythingwrong - since I receive letters from them 663 from College Stanislaus - they wouldhave informed me; meanwhile, they have not written anything like that to me.Therefore, I judge that, through this whole while, nothing happened, and thateverything continues to go quite well.Here, I thought about him when I could, that is, in my most solemnaudiences with the Almighty God and kindest Benefactor of us all. With all thefervor of my soul, I prayed for him, asking God to bless him and to grant him659 ―Public confession of guilt.‖660661662663