She had come to Eaubonne, in the middle of the Valley of Montmorency, where she had taken a pretty house, from thence she made a new excursion to the Hermitage.

She came on horseback, and dressed in men's clothes.
Although I am not very fond of this kind of masquerade, I was struck with the romantic appearance she made, and, for once, it was with love.

As this was the first and only time in all my life, the consequence of which will forever render it terrible to my remembrance, I must take the permission to enter into some particulars on the subject.
The Countess d'Houdetot was nearly thirty years of age, and not handsome; her face was marked with the smallpox, her complexion coarse, she was short-sighted, and her eyes were rather round; but she had fine long black hair, which hung down in natural curls below her waist; her figure was agreeable, and she was at once both awkward and graceful in her motions; her wit was natural and pleasing; to this gayety, heedlessness and ingenuousness were perfectly suited: she abounded in charming sallies, after which she so little sought, that they sometimes escaped her lips in spite of herself.

She possessed several agreeable talents, played the harpsichord, danced well, and wrote pleasing poetry.

Her character was angelic--this was founded upon a sweetness of mind, and except prudence and fortitude, contained in it every virtue.