When next I saw the duc d'Aiguillon, I could not refrain from
relating to him all that had happened. My recital inspired him
with the most lively curiosity to see Rousseau, whom he had
never met in society. It was then agreed, that when I went to
fetch my music he should accompany me, disguised in a similar
manner to myself, and that I should pass him off as my uncle. At
the end of the eight days I repaired early as before to Paris;
the duke was not long in joining me there. He was so inimitably
well disguised, that no person would ever have detected the most
elegant nobleman of the court of France beneath the garb of a
plain country squire. We set out laughing. like simpletons at
the easy air with which he wore his new costume; nevertheless
our gaiety disappeared as we reached the habitation of J. J.
Rousseau. Spite of ourselves we were compelled to honour and
respect the man of talent and genius, who preferred independence
of ideas to riches, and before whom rank and power were compelled
to lay aside their unmeaning trappings ere they could reach his
presence. When we reached the fifth landing-place I rang, and
this time the door was opened by Therese, who told us M Rousseau
was out.
"But, madam," answered I, "I am here by the direction of your
husband to fetch away the music he has been engaged in copying
for me.
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