Memoir of Marshal Keith

EARL MARISCHAL'S CAREER. 2$
Colombier, where he passed the summer, was six leagues
from Motiers ; I went there at least once a fortnight, and
made a stay of twenty-four hours, and then returned like
a pilgrim with my heart full of affection for my host. The
emotion I had formerly experienced in my journeys from
the Hermitage to Eaubonne, was certainly very different,
but it was not more pleasing than that with which I
approached Colombier. What tears of tenderness have I
shed when on the road to it, while thinking of the paternal
goodness, amiable virtues, and charming philosophy of
this respectable old man ! I called him father, and he
called me son. These affectionate names give, in some
measure, an idea of the attachment by which we were
united, but by no means that of the want we felt of each
other, nor of our continual desire to be together. He
would absolutely give me an apartment at the castle of
Colombier, and for a long time pressed me to take up my
residence in that in which I lodged during my visits. I at
length told him I was more free and at my ease in my own
house, and that I had rather continue until the end of my
life to come and see him. He approved of my candour,
and never afterwards spoke to me on the subject. Oh, my
good lord ! Oh, my worthy father ! How is my heart
still moved when I think of your goodness ? Ah, barbarous
wretches ! how deeply did they wound me when they
deprived me of your friendship ! But no, great man, you
are and will ever be the same for me, who am still the
same. You have been deceived, but you are not changed.
My Lord Marechal is not without faults ; he is a man of