When I called to mind all the
amiable qualities possessed by Maria Louisa, I could not but tremble
at the thought that I should soon be indifferent to you, but surely
I was then ignoring the loftiness and generosity of your soul, which
still preserves the memory of its extraordinary devotedness, and of
its tenderness toward me, a devotedness and tenderness whose
superabundance was proportioned to those eminent qualities which
have surprised Europe, and which cause you to be admired by all
those who come near you, and which even constrain your enemies to
render you justice!
"Yes, I acknowledge to you, sire, you have once more found the means
of astonishing me, and to fill me with admiration, accustomed as I
am to admire you; and your whole conduct, so well suited to my
position, the solicitude with which you surround me, and finally the
step you took yesterday in my behalf, prove to me that you have far
surpassed all the favorable and charming impressions which I have
ever cherished for you.
"With what fondness I pressed the young prince to my heart! How his
face, radiant with health, filled me with delight, and how happy I
was to see him so amused and so contented as he watched us both! In
fact, I entirely forgot I was a stranger to this child; I forgot
that I was not his mother while partaking his sweet caresses.
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