I will tell you in a few words that we call prejudice every so-called duty for the existence of which we find no reason in nature." "Then nature must be the philosopher's principal study ?" "Indeed it is; the most learned of philosophers is the one who commits the fewest errors." "What philosopher, in your opinion, has committed the smallest quantity of errors ?" "Socrates." "Yet he was in error sometimes ?" "Yes, in metaphysics." "Oh! never mind that, for I think he could very well manage without that study." "You are mistaken; morals are only the metaphysics of physics; nature is everything, and I give you leave to consider as a madman whoever tells you that he has made a new discovery in metaphysics.

But if I went on, my dear, I might appear rather obscure to you.

Proceed slowly, think; let your maxims be the consequence of just reasoning, and keep your happiness in view; in the end you must be happy." "I prefer the lesson you have just taught me to the one which M.Baletti will give me to-morrow; for I have an idea that it will weary me, and now I am much interested." "How do you know that you are interested ?" "Because I wish you not to leave me." "Truly, my dear Vesian, never has a philosopher described sympathy better than you have just done.

How happy I feel! How is it that I wish to prove it by kissing you ?" "No doubt because, to be happy, the soul must agree with the senses." "Indeed, my divine Vesian?
Your intelligence is charming." "It is your work, dear friend; and I am so grateful to you that I share your desires." "What is there to prevent us from satisfying such natural desires?
Let us embrace one another tenderly." What a lesson in philosophy! It seemed to us such a sweet one, our happiness was so complete, that at daybreak we were still kissing one another, and it was only when we parted in the morning that we discovered that the door of the room had remained open all night.
Baletti gave her a few lessons, and she was received at the opera; but she did not remain there more than two or three months, regulating her conduct carefully according to the precepts I had laid out for her.

She never received Narbonne again, and at last accepted a nobleman who proved himself very different from all others, for the first thing he did was to make her give up the stage, although it was not a thing according to the fashion of those days.