Page:Clermont - Roche (1798, volume 4).djvu/284

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and would, she was convinced, on devolving to her, be swept, like all her other possessions, into the vortex of dissipation.


To avoid the insults of D'Alembert, and to diminish her expenses, she was hastening to her chateau at the time she met with the accident which introduced her to the cottage of Clermont. No sooner was she acquainted with his situation, than she formed the resolution of taking his daughter under her protection, and dividing with her whatever she could save, and meant to have appropriated solely to Madame D'Alembert's use.


Her departure from the habitation of D'Alembert did not exempt her from his solicitations, or reproaches on finding those solicitations still unsuccessful. A letter from him, couched in a more insulting stile than any she had before received from him, was the occasion of the illness and dejection which shocked and alarmed Madeline so