The obstacles that opposed served only to give a degree of
vivacity to their affection, and the young lover, not being able to
obtain his mistress, was overwhelmed with sorrow and despair. She
advised him to travel- to forget her. He consented- he traveled but
returned more passionate than ever, and had the happiness to find
her equally constant, equally tender. After this proof of mutual
affection, what could they resolve?- to dedicate their future lives to
love! the resolution was ratified with a vow, on which Heaven shed its
benediction.
Fortunately, my mother's brother, Gabriel Bernard, fell in love with
one of my father's sisters: she had no objection to the match, but
made the marriage of his sister with her brother an indispensable
preliminary. Love soon removed every obstacle, and the two weddings
were celebrated the same day: thus my uncle became the husband of my
aunt, and their children were doubly cousins german. Before a year was
expired, both had the happiness to become fathers, but were soon after
obliged to submit to a separation.
My uncle Bernard, who was an engineer, went to serve in the empire
and Hungary, under Prince Eugene, and distinguished himself both at
the siege and battle of Belgrade. My father, after the birth of my
only brother, set off, on recommendation, for Constantinople, and
was appointed watchmaker to the Seraglio. During his absence, the
beauty, wit, and accomplishments* of my mother attracted a number of
admirers, among whom Mons. de la Closure, Resident of France, was
the most assiduous in his attentions. His passion must have been
extremely violent, since after a period of thirty years I have seen
him affected at the very mention of her name. My mother had a
defense more powerful even than her virtue; she tenderly loved my
father, and conjured him to return; his inclination seconding his
request, he gave up every prospect of emolument, and hastened to
Geneva.
* They were too brilliant for her situation, the minister, her
father, having bestowed great pains on her education. She was taught
drawing, singing, and to play on the theorbo; had learning, and
wrote very agreeable verses. The following is an extempore piece which
she composed in the absence of her husband and brother, in a
conversation with some person relative to them, while walking with her
sister-in-law, and their two children:
Ces deux messieurs, qui sont absens,
Nous sont chers de bien des manieres;
Ce sont nos amis, nos amans,
Ce sont nos maris et nos freres,
Et les peres de ces enfans.
These absent ones, who justly claim
Our hearts, by every tender name,
To whom each wish extends:
Our husbands and our brothers are,
