I communicated my resolution to Grimm, who said nothing against it.

To others I alleged my ill state of health, and left the court in the morning.
My departure made some noise, and was generally condemned.

My reasons could not be known to everybody, it was therefore easy to accuse me of foolish pride, and thus not irritate the jealousy of such as felt they would not have acted as I had done.

The next day Jelyotte wrote me a note, in which he stated the success of my piece, and the pleasure it had afforded the king.

"All day long," said he, "his majesty sings, with the worst voice in his kingdom: 'J'ai perdu mon serviteur: J'ai perdu tout mon bonheur.'" He likewise added, that in a fortnight the Devin was to be performed a second time; which confirmed in the eyes of the public the complete success of the first.
Two days afterwards, about nine o'clock in the evening, as I was going to sup with Madam D'Epinay, I perceived a hackney-coach pass by the door.
Somebody within made a sign to me to approach.