ABSTRACT
Courtin de Villiers, a young officer of a noble family, being in garrison at Metz, became acquainted with Madame Geoffroi, who having been left a widow, while yet in the earliest bloom of youth, resided there with the mother of her deceased husband. De Villiers, who was at first attracted by the beauty of the young widow, found the charms of her understanding, and the sweetness of her temper, equal to the perfections of her person. As soon as his wife was well enough to allow him to quit her, Villiers, who grew more uneasy every day for the fate of his son, went to Paris. He there addressed himself to the Sieur de Lalande, the father of Madame Villiers, and besought, in the most affecting manner, his approbation of their marriage; but he found only anger and indignation, which embittered the absolute refusal he received.
