never since heard anywhere;
the same voice repeated the romance to which I was listening several
times. When it had entirely ceased I profited by the silence to tap with
my knuckles against the door, but so feeble was the signal, that even
Henriette, who was close behind me, could not hear it. She begged I
would permit her to ring a bell which hung near us; and, having done so,
a step was heard approaching the door, and, in a minute or two, it was
opened by a man of about sixty years of age, who, seeing two females,
took off his cap with a sort of clumsy gallantry, at which I affected to
be much flattered.

"Pray, sir," said I, endeavouring to repress my emotion, "does a person
named Rousseau, a copier of music, live here?"

"Yes, madam; I am he. What is your pleasure?"

"I have been told, sir, that you are particularly skilful in copying
music cheaply; I should be glad if you would undertake to copy these
airs I have brought with me."

"Have the goodness to walk in, madam."

We crossed a small obscure closet, which served as a species of
antechamber, and entered the sitting-room of M. de Rousseau, who seated
me in an arm-chair, and motioning to Henriette to sit down, once more
inquired my wishes respecting the music.

"Sir," said I, "as I live in the country, and but very rarely visit
Paris, I should be obliged to you to get it done as early as possible."

"Willingly, madam; I have not much upon my hands just now."

I then gave to Jean Jacques Rousseau the roll of music I had brought. He
begged I would continue seated, requested permission to keep on his cap,
and went to a little table to examine the music I had brought.

Upon my first entrance I had perceived a close and confined smell in
these miserable apartments, but, by degrees, I became accustomed to
it, and began to examine the chamber in which I sat with as strict a
scrutiny as though I had intended making an inventory of its contents.
Three old elbow-chairs, some rickety stools, a writing-table, on
which were two or three volumes of music, some dried plants laid on
white-brown paper; beside the table stood an old spinet, and, close to
the latter article of furniture, sat a fat and well-looking cat. Over
the chimney hung an old silver watch; the walls of the room were
adorned with about half a dozen views of Switzerland and some inferior
engravings, two only, which occupied the most honourable situations,
struck me; one represented Frederick II, and