D'ALEMBERT. 451 



account is accurate enough in some particulars; but 

 the story of D'Alembert's going for the young man's 

 letters cannot be a fiction. It is an office no one could 

 have easily invented for a lover. Besides, the apparent 

 passion for Mora was known to all Mdlle. de FEspinasse's 

 circle. She never could conceal such a feeling when it 

 took possession of her. That passion was not an affair 

 of a few weeks or months; it lasted considerably more 

 than six years ; for in April, 1768, we find D'Alembert 

 introducing him to Voltaire as his dear friend, and 

 the young man's death was in May, 1774. (Corr. avec 

 Voltaire, GBuv. XVI, 49.) 



The fancy of this susceptible lady for Guibert was 

 equally well known. D'Alembert saw these demonstra- 

 tions of love as well as every one else ; but she continued 

 to make him believe that they were not real indications 

 of passion. This he tells us plainly himself. It remains 

 to explain what he took them for; and no one can easily 

 suppose that he was not made to believe they were con- 

 nected with a plan of obtaining for her a settlement in 

 life by marriage. The certificate which he obtained 

 from Lorry to make Mora revisit Paris is of itself a proof 

 that such was the project, and that to this project 

 D'Alembert was privy. 



The character of Mdlle. de FEspinasse has been drawn 

 by several masters, and by all in very favourable colours. 

 Marmontel and D'Alembert himself have both laboured 

 the portrait exceedingly; and if the passion of the latter 

 may make the truth of the resemblance doubtful, at least 

 to the pencil of the former, both more skilful and more 

 faithful, we must give credit. " Cette demoiselle etoit un 

 etonnant compose de bienseance, de raison, de sagesse, 



2G2 



