Life of Count Rumford, 565 



his daughter corne to him, but the obstacles of war 

 deferred and impeded her attempt to join him. He 

 had sent for one of Aichner's daughters to wait upon 

 her. To all his other troubles was added an increased 

 fear that his Bavarian pension might be suspended. 

 The Count intimates that his French acquaintances 

 thought he would not be able to continue his style of 

 living without the assistance of his late partner. But 

 he intended they should be disappointed. He had 

 hired his house for life, and had spent upon it nearly a 

 thousand guineas, making it very elegant. His regu- 

 lar expenses would be much less than his annual in- 

 come. His health improved every day. He was sur- 

 rounded by good and faithful servants, instead of being 

 in the midst of spies and liars. He had paid his ser- 

 vants well when living with Madame de Rumford, yet 

 they were all of them bribed as soon as they came into 

 the house. He adds : " Madame de Rumford is well. 

 I see her sometimes, though very seldom. After what 

 is past, a reconciliation is impossible. She now repents 

 of her conduct, but it is too late. The less I see her, 

 .the better. I now enjoy peace and tranquillity, and my 

 health improves every day." 



The daughter very considerately writes : 



" It did not appear that his lady harbored animosity towards 

 the Count, nor even that he did towards her. His first im- 

 pressions of her were by no means incorrect, for she was in 

 every respect a very superior person. Certain traits in their 

 characters made it impossible that they should live together. 

 Neither was willing to give up a favorite plan. Small disagree- 

 ments, one by one, led on to a great one. Advantages, how- 

 ever, remained on the side of the lady, as she retained the house 

 which the Count had taken such pains and pleasure to make 



