ABSTRACT
Jean-Jacques Rousseau's first impulse, when he found his patroness away from home and learned that she had gone to Paris, was to speed after her. But he reflected that in the course of the six days which were then required for the journey between Annecy and Paris he ran a great risk of crossing her on the way. The young lady was vexed that Jean-Jacques had betrayed no amorous inclinations during the journey, and her parent, “who was none too well off,” showed no enthusiasm for the traveling companion she had picked out. They arrived unexpectedly, and Jean-Jacques, who had perhaps counted on a share of the fatted calf, was forced to content himself with a meal in an eating house. Jean-Jacques, who noticed that he was having difficulty in making himself understood, offered to act as his interpreter, whereupon the man rose, embraced him fervently, and obliged him to share his dinner.
