It was peopled by philosophers, amongst whom Roland distinguished himself, and the government sent him to Italy to watch the progress of commerce there.
He left his young friend with reluctance, and forwarded to her regularly scientific letters, intended as notes to the work which he proposed to write on Italy--letters in which the sentiment that displayed itself beneath science, more resembled the studies of a philosopher than the conversations of a lover.
On his return she saw in him a friend.

His age, gravity, manners, laborious habits, made her consider him as a sage who existed solely on his reason.

In the union they contemplated, and which less resembled love, than the ancient associations of the days of Socrates and Plato--the one sought a disciple rather than a wife, and the other married a master rather than a husband.

M.Roland returned to Amiens, and thence wrote to the father to demand his daughter's hand, which was bluntly denied to him.

He feared in Roland, whose austerity displeased him, a censor for himself, and a tyrant for his child.