In an interview whose minutest circumstances remained for ever stamped in his mind (March 21, 1728), Rousseau exchanged his first words with this singular personage, whose name and character he has covered with doubtful renown.

He expected to find some gray and wrinkled woman, saving a little remnant of days in good works.

Instead of this, there turned round upon him a person not more than eight-and-twenty years old, with gentle caressing air, a fascinating smile, a tender eye.

Madame de Warens read the letters he brought, and entertained their bearer cheerfully.

It was decided after consultation that the heretic should be sent to a monastery at Turin, where he might be brought over in form to the true Church.