AsIhadnothingparticulartodo，IwenttoaFrenchbooksellerinwhoseshopImadetheacquaintanceofawittyhunchback，andImustsaythatahunchbackwithoutwitisaragaavis；Ihavefounditsoinallcountries。Ofcourseitisnotwitwhichgivesthehump，for，thankGod，allwittymenarenothumpbacked，butwemaywellsaythatasageneralrulethehumpgiveswit，fortheverysmallnumberofhunchbackswhohavelittleornowitonlyconfirmstherule:TheoneIwasalludingtojustnowwascalledDubois—Chateleraux。Hewasaskilfulengraver，anddirectoroftheMintofParmafortheInfante，althoughthatprincecouldnotboastofsuchaninstitution。
　　Ispentanhourwiththewittyhunchback，whoshewedmeseveralofhisengravings，andIreturnedtothehotelwhereIfoundtheHungarianwaitingtoseeHenriette。Hedidnotknowthatshewouldthatmorningreceiveusintheattireofhersex。Thedoorwasthrownopen，andabeautiful，charmingwomanmetuswithacourtesyfullofgrace，whichnolongerremindedusofthestiffnessorofthetoogreatfreedomwhichbelongtothemilitarycostume。Hersuddenappearancecertainlyastonishedus，andwedidnotknowwhattosayorwhattodo。Sheinvitedustobeseated，lookedatthecaptaininafriendlymanner，andpressedmyhandwiththewarmestaffection，butwithoutgivingwayanymoretothatoutwardfamiliaritywhichayoungofficercanassume，butwhichdoesnotsuitawell—educatedlady。Hernobleandmodestbearingsooncompelledmetoputmyselfinunisonwithher，andIdidsowithoutdifficulty，forshewasnotactingapart，andthewayinwhichshehadresumedhernaturalcharactermadeiteasyformetofollowheronthatground。
　　Iwasgazingatherwithadmiration，and，urgedbyafeelingwhichI
　　didnottaketimetoanalyze，Itookherhandtokissitwithrespect，but，withoutgivingmeanopportunityofraisingittomylips，sheofferedmeherlovelymouth。Neverdidakisstastesodelicious。
　　"AmInotthenalwaysthesame？"saidshetome，withdeepfeeling。
　　"No，heavenlycreature，anditissotruethatyouarenolongerthesameinmyeyesthatIcouldnotnowuseanyfamiliaritytowardsyou。
　　Youarenolongerthewitty，freeyoungofficerwhotoldMadameQueriniaboutthegameofPharaoh，endaboutthedepositsmadetoyourbankbythecaptaininsoniggardlyamannerthattheywerehardlyworthmentioning。"
　　"Itisverytruethat，wearingthecostumeofmysex，Ishouldneverdaretouttersuchwords。Yet，dearestfriend，itdoesnotpreventmybeingyourHenriette——thatHenriettewhohasinherlifebeenguiltyofthreeescapades，thelastofwhichwouldhaveutterlyruinedmeifithadnotbeenforyou，butwhichIcalladelightfulerror，sinceithasbeenthecauseofmyknowingyou。"
　　ThosewordsmovedmesodeeplythatIwasonthepointofthrowingmyselfatherfeet，toentreathertoforgivemefornothavingshewnhermorerespect，butHenriette，whosawthestateinwhichIwas，andwhowantedtoputanendtothepatheticscene，begantoshakeourpoorcaptain，whosatasmotionlessasastatue，andasifhehadbeenpetrified。Hefeltashamedathavingtreatedsuchawomanasanadventuress，forheknewthatwhathenowsawwasnotanillusion。
　　Hekeptlookingatherwithgreatconfusion，andbowingmostrespectfully，asifhewantedtoatoneforhispastconducttowardsher。AsforHenriette，sheseemedtosaytohim，butwithouttheshadowofareproach；
　　"Iamgladthatyouthinkmeworthmorethantensequins。"
　　Wesatdowntodinner，andfromthatmomentshedidthehonoursofthetablewiththeperfecteaseofapersonwhoisaccustomedtofulfilthatdifficultduty。Shetreatedmelikeabelovedhusband，andthecaptainlikearespectedfriend。ThepoorHungarianbeggedmetotellherthatifhehadseenher，asshewasnow，inCivitaVecchia，whenshecameoutofthetartan，heshouldneverhavedreamedofdispatchinghisciceronetoherroom。
　　"Oh！tellhimthatIdonotdoubtit。Butisitnotstrangethatapoorlittlefemaledressshouldcommandmorerespectthanthegarbofanofficer？"
　　"Praydonotabusetheofficer’scostume，foritistoitthatIamindebtedformyhappiness。"
　　"Yes，"shesaid，withalovingsmile，"asIoweminetothesbirriofCesena。"
　　Weremainedforalongtimeatthetable，andourdelightfulconversationturneduponnoothertopicthanourmutualfelicity。
　　Ifithadnotbeenfortheuneasinessofthepoorcaptain，whichatlaststruckus，weshouldneverhaveputastopeithertothedinnerorto，ourcharmingprattle。
　　CHAPTERII
　　IEngageaBoxattheOpera，inSpiteofHenriette’sReluctance——
　　M。DuboisPaysUsaVisitandDineswithUs；MyDarlingPlaysHimaTrick——HenrietteArguesonHappiness——WeCallonDubois，andMyWifeDisplaysHerMarvellousTalent——M。DutillotTheCourtgivesaSplendidEntertainmentintheDucalGardens——AFatalMeeting——IHaveanInterviewwithM。D’Antoine，theFavouriteoftheInfanteofSpainThehappinessIwasenjoyingwastoocompletetolastlong。Iwasfatedtoloseit，butImustnotanticipateevents。MadamedeFrance，wifeoftheInfanteDonPhilip，havingarrivedinParma，theoperahousewasopened，andIengagedaprivatebox，tellingHenriettethatIintendedtotakehertothetheatreeverynight。
　　Shehadseveraltimesconfessedthatshehadagreatpassionformusic，andIhadnodoubtthatshewouldbepleasedwithmyproposal。
　　ShehadneveryetseenanItalianopera，andIfeltcertainthatshewishedtoascertainwhethertheItalianmusicdeserveditsuniversalfame。ButIwasindeedsurprisedwhensheexclaimed，"What，dearest！Youwishtogoeveryeveningtotheopera？"
　　"Ithink，mylove，that，ifwedidnotgo，weshouldgivesomeexcuseforscandal—mongerstogossip。Yet，shouldyounotlikeit，youknowthatthereisnoneedforustogo。Donotthinkofme，forIpreferourpleasantchatinthisroomtotheheavenlyconcertoftheseraphs。"
　　"Iampassionatelyfondofmusic，darling，butIcannothelptremblingattheideaofgoingout。"
　　"Ifyoutremble，Imustshudder，butweoughttogototheoperaorleaveParma。LetusgotoLondonortoanyotherplace。Giveyourorders，Iamreadytodoanythingyoulike。"
　　"Well，takeaprivateboxaslittleexposedaspossible。"
　　"Howkindyouare！"
　　TheboxIhadengagedwasinthesecondtier，butthetheatrebeingsmallitwasdifficultforaprettywomantoescapeobservation。
　　Itoldherso。
　　"Idonotthinkthereisanydanger，"sheanswered；"forIhavenotseenthenameofanypersonofmyacquaintanceinthelistofforeignerswhichyougavemetoread。"
　　ThusdidHenriettegototheopera。Ihadtakencarethatourboxshouldnotbelightedup。Itwasanopera—buffa，themusicofBurellanowasexcellent，andthesingerswereverygood。
　　Henriettemadenouseofheropera—glassexcepttolookonthestage，andnobodypaidanyattentiontous。Asshehadbeengreatlypleasedwiththefinaleofthesecondact，Ipromisedtogetitforher，andIaskedDuboistoprocureitforme。Thinkingthatshecouldplaytheharpsichord，Iofferedtogetone，butshetoldmethatshehadnevertouchedthatinstrument。
　　OnthenightofthefourthorfifthperformanceM。Duboiscametoourbox，andasIdidnotwishtointroducehimtomyfriend，IonlyaskedwhatIcoulddoforhim。HethenhandedmethemusicIhadbeggedhimtopurchaseforme，andIpaidhimwhatithadcost，offeringhimmybestthanks。Aswewerejustoppositetheducalbox，Iaskedhim，forthesakeofsayingsomething，whetherhehadengravedtheportraitsoftheirhighnesses。Heansweredthathehadalreadyengravedtwomedals，andIgavehimanorderforboth，ingold。Hepromisedtoletmehavethem，andleftthebox。Henriettehadnotevenlookedathim，andthatwasaccordingtoallestablishedrules，asIhadnotintroducedhim，butthenextmorninghewasannouncedaswewereatdinner。M。delaHaye，whowasdiningwithus，complimentedusuponhavingmadetheacquaintanceofDubois，andintroducedhimtohispupilthemomenthecameintotheroom。ItwasthenrightforHenriettetowelcomehim，whichshedidmostgracefully。
　　Aftershehadthankedhimforthe’partizione’，shebeggedhewouldgethersomeothermusic，andtheartistacceptedherrequestasafavourgrantedtohim。
　　"Sir，"saidDuboistome，"Ihavetakenthelibertyofbringingthemedalsyouwishedtohave；heretheyare。"
　　OnoneweretheportraitsoftheInfanteandhiswife，ontheotherwasengravedonlytheheadofDonPhilip。Theywerebothbeautifullyengraved，andweexpressedourjustadmiration。"Theworkmanshipisbeyondallprice，"saidHenriette，"butthegoldcanbebarteredforothergold。""Madam，"answeredthemodestartist，"themedalsweightsixteensequins。"Shegavehimtheamountimmediately，andinvitedhimtocallagainatdinner—time。Coffeewasjustbroughtinatthatmoment，andsheaskedhimtotakeitwithus。Beforesweeteninghiscup，sheenquiredwhetherhelikedhiscoffeeverysweet。
　　"Yourtaste，madam，"answeredthehunchback，gallantly，"issuretobemine。"
　　"ThenyouhaveguessedthatIalwaysdrinkcoffeewithoutsugar。I
　　amgladwehavethattasteincommon。"
　　Andshegracefullyofferedhimthecupofcoffeewithoutsugar。ShethenhelpedDelaHayeandme，notforgettingtoputplentyofsugarinourcups，andshepouredoutoneforherselfexactlyliketheoneshehandedtoDubois。Itwasmuchadoformenottolaugh，formymischievousFrench—woman，wholikedhercoffeeintheParisianfashion，thatistosayverysweet，wassippingthebitterbeveragewithanairofdelightwhichcompelledthedirectoroftheMinttosmileundertheinfliction。Butthecunninghunchbackwasevenwithher；acceptingthepenaltyofhisfoolishcompliment，andpraisingthegoodqualityofthecoffee，heboldlydeclaredthatitwastheonlywaytotastethedeliciousaromaofthepreciousberry。
　　WhenDuboisandDelaHayehadleftus，webothlaughedatthetrick。
　　"But，"saidItoHenriette，"youwillbethefirstvictimofyourmischief，forwheneverhedineswithus，youmustkeepupthejoke，inordernottobetrayyourself。"
　　"Oh！Icaneasilycontrivetodrinkmycoffeewellsweetened，andtomakehimdrainthebittercup。"
　　Attheendofonemonth，HenriettecouldspeakItalianfluently，anditwasowingmoretotheconstantpracticeshehadeverydaywithmycousinJeanneton，whoactedashermaid，thantothelessonsofProfessordelaHaye。Thelessonsonlytaughthertherules，andpracticeisnecessarytoacquirealanguage。Ihaveexperienceditmyself。IlearnedmoreFrenchduringthetooshortperiodthatI
　　spentsohappilywithmycharmingHenriettethaninallthelessonsI
　　hadtakenfromDalacqua。
　　Wehadattendedtheoperatwentytimeswithoutmakinganyacquaintance，andourlifewasindeedsupremelyhappy。IneverwentoutwithoutHenriette，andalwaysinacarriage；weneverreceivedanyone，andnobodyknewus。Duboiswastheonlyperson，sincethedepartureofthegoodHungarian，whosometimesdinedwithus；IdonotreckonDelaHaye，whowasadailyguestatourtable。Duboisfeltgreatcuriosityaboutus，buthewascunninganddidnotshewhiscuriosity；wewerereservedwithoutaffectation，andhisinquisitivenesswasatfault。OnedayhementionedtousthatthecourtoftheInfanteofParmawasverybrilliantsincethearrivalofMadamedeFrance，andthatthereweremanyforeignersofbothsexesinthecity。Then，turningtowardsHenriette，hesaidtoher；
　　"Mostoftheforeignladieswhomwehavehereareunknowntous。"
　　"Verylikely，manyofthemwouldnotshewthemselvesiftheywereknown。"
　　"Verylikely，madam，asyousay，butIcanassureyouthat，eveniftheirbeautyandtherichnessoftheirtoiletmadethemconspicuous，oursovereignswishforfreedom。Istillhope，madam，thatweshallhavethehappinessofseeingyouatthecourtoftheduke。"
　　"Idonotthinkso，for，inmyopinion，itissuperlativelyridiculousforaladytogotothecourtwithoutbeingpresented，particularlyifshehasarighttobeso。"
　　Thelastwords，onwhichHenriettehadlaidalittlemorestressthanuponthefirstpartofheranswer，struckourlittlehunchbackdumb，andmyfriend，improvingheropportunity，changedthesubjectofconversation。
　　Whenhehadgoneweenjoyedthecheckshehadthusgiventotheinquisitivenessofourguest，butItoldHenriettethat，ingoodconscience，sheoughttoforgiveallthosewhomsherenderedcurious，because……shecutmywordsshortbycoveringmewithlovingkisses。
　　Thussupremelyhappy，andfindinginoneanotherconstantsatisfaction，wewouldlaughatthosemorosephilosopherswhodenythatcompletehappinesscanbefoundonearth。
　　"Whatdotheymean，darling——thosecrazyfools——bysayingthathappinessisnotlasting，andhowdotheyunderstandthatword？Iftheymeaneverlasting，immortal，unintermitting，ofcoursetheyareright，butthelifeofmannotbeingsuch，happiness，asanaturalconsequence，cannotbesucheither。Otherwise，everyhappinessislastingfortheveryreasonthatitdoesexist，andtobelastingitrequiresonlytoexist。Butifbycompletefelicitytheyunderstandaseriesofvariedandnever—interruptedpleasures，theyarewrong，because，byallowingaftereachpleasurethecalmwhichoughttofollowtheenjoymentofit，wehavetimetorealizehappinessinitsreality。Inotherwordsthosenecessaryperiodsofreposeareasourceoftrueenjoyment，because，thankstothem，weenjoythedelightofrecollectionwhichincreasestwofoldtherealityofhappiness。Mancanbehappyonlywheninhisownmindherealizeshishappiness，andcalmisnecessarytogivefullplaytohismind；
　　thereforewithoutcalmmanwouldtrulyneverbecompletelyhappy，andpleasure，inordertobefelt，mustceasetobeactive。Thenwhatdotheymeanbythatwordlasting？
　　"Everydaywereachamomentwhenwelongforsleep，and，althoughitbetheverylikenessofnon—existence，cananyonedenythatsleepisapleasure？No，atleastitseemstomethatitcannotbedeniedwithconsistency，for，themomentitcomestous，wegiveitthepreferenceoverallotherpleasures，andwearegratefultoitonlyafterithasleftus。
　　"Thosewhosaythatnoonecanbehappythroughoutlifespeaklikewisefrivolously。Philosophyteachesthesecretofsecuringthathappiness，providedoneisfreefrombodilysufferings。Afelicitywhichwouldthuslastthroughoutlifecouldbecomparedtoanosegayformedofathousandflowerssobeautifully，soskillfullyblendedtogether，thatitwouldlookonesingleflower。Whyshoulditbeimpossibleforustospendherethewholeofourlifeaswehavespentthelastmonth，alwaysingoodhealth，alwayslovingoneanother，withouteverfeelinganyotherwantoranyweariness？Then，tocrownthathappiness，whichwouldcertainlybeimmense，allthatwouldbewantedwouldbetodietogether，inanadvancedage，speakingtothelastmomentofourpleasantrecollections。Surelythatfelicitywouldhavebeenlasting。Deathwouldnotinterruptit，fordeathwouldendit。Wecouldnot，eventhen，supposeourselvesunhappyunlesswedreadedunhappinessafterdeath，andsuchanideastrikesmeasabsurd，foritisacontradictionoftheideaofanalmightyandfatherlytenderness。"
　　ItwasthusthatmybelovedHenriettewouldoftenmakemespenddelightfulhours，talkingphilosophicsentiment。HerlogicwasbetterthanthatofCiceroinhisTusculanDisputations，butsheadmittedthatsuchlastingfelicitycouldexistonlybetweentwobeingswholivedtogether，andlovedeachotherwithconstantaffection，healthyinmindandinbody，enlightened，sufficientlyrich，similarintastes，indisposition，andintemperament。Happyarethoseloverswho，whentheirsensesrequirerest，canfallbackupontheintellectualenjoymentsaffordedbythemind！Sweetsleepthencomes，andlastsuntilthebodyhasrecovereditsgeneralharmony。Onawaking，thesensesareagainactiveandalwaysreadytoresumetheiraction。
　　Theconditionsofexistenceareexactlythesameformanasfortheuniverse，Imightalmostsaythatbetweenthemthereisperfectidentity，forifwetaketheuniverseaway，mankindnolongerexists，andifwetakemankindaway，thereisnolongeranuniverse；whocouldrealizetheideaoftheexistenceofinorganicmatter？Now，withoutthatidea，’nihilest’，sincetheideaistheessenceofeverything，andsincemanalonehasideas。Besides，ifweabstractthespecies，wecannolongerimaginetheexistenceofmatter，andviceversa。
　　IderivedfromHenrietteasgreathappinessasthatcharmingwomanderivedfromme。Welovedoneanotherwithallthestrengthofourfaculties，andwewereeverythingtoeachother。ShewouldoftenrepeatthoseprettylinesofthegoodLa，Fontaine:
　　’Soyez—vousl’unal’autreunmondetoujoursbeau，Toujoursdivers，toujoursnouveau；
　　Tenez—vouslieudetout；comptezpourrienlereste。’
　　Andwedidnotfailtoputtheadviceintopractice，forneverdidaminuteofennuiorofweariness，neverdidtheslightesttrouble，disturbourbliss。
　　Thedayafterthecloseoftheopera，Dubois，whowasdiningwithus，saidthatonthefollowingdayhewasentertainingthetwofirstartists，’primocantatore’and’primacantatrice’，andaddedthat，ifwelikedtocome，wewouldhearsomeoftheirbestpieces，whichtheyweretosinginaloftyhallofhiscountry—houseparticularlyadaptedtothedisplayofthehumanvoice。Henriettethankedhimwarmly，butshesaidthat，herhealthbeingverydelicate，shecouldnotengageherselfbeforehand，andshespokeofotherthings。
　　Whenwewerealone，IaskedherwhyshehadrefusedthepleasureofferedbyDubois。
　　"Ishouldaccepthisinvitation，"sheanswered，"andwithdelight，ifIwerenotafraidofmeetingathishousesomepersonwhomightknowme，andwoulddestroythehappinessIamnowenjoyingwithyou。"
　　"Ifyouhaveanyfreshmotivefordreadingsuchanoccurrence，youarequiteright，butifitisonlyavague，groundlessfear，mylove，whyshouldyoudepriveyourselfofarealandinnocentpleasure？IfyouknewhowpleasedIamwhenIseeyouenjoyyourself，andparticularlywhenIwitnessyourecstacyinlisteningtofinemusic！"
　　"Well，darling，Idonotwanttoshewmyselflessbravethanyou。Wewillgoimmediatelyafterdinner。Theartistswillnotsingbefore。
　　Besides，ashedoesnotexpectus，heisnotlikelytohaveinvitedanypersoncurioustospeaktome。Wewillgowithoutgivinghimnoticeofourcoming，withoutbeingexpected，andasifwewantedtopayhimafriendlyvisit。Hetoldusthathewouldbeathiscountry—house，andCaudagnaknowswhereitis。"
　　Herreasonswereamixtureofprudenceandoflove，twofeelingswhichareseldomblendedtogether。Myanswerwastokissherwithasmuchadmirationastenderness，andthenextdayatfouro’clockintheafternoonwepaidourvisittoM。Dubois。Weweremuchsurprised，forwefoundhimalonewithaveryprettygirl，whomhepresentedtousashisniece。
　　"Iamdelightedtoseeyou，"hesaid，"butasIdidnotexpecttoseeyouIalteredmyarrangements，andinsteadofthedinnerIhadintendedtogiveIhaveinvitedmyfriendstosupper。Ihopeyouwillnotrefusemethehonourofyourcompany。Thetwovirtuosiwillsoonbehere。"
　　Wewerecompelledtoaccepthisinvitation。
　　"Willtherebemanyguests？"Ienquired。
　　"Youwillfindyourselvesinthemidstofpeopleworthyofyou，"heanswered，triumphantly。"IamonlysorrythatIhavenotinvitedanyladies。"
　　Thispoliteremark，whichwasintendedforHenriette，madeherdrophimacurtsy，whichsheaccompaniedwithasmile。Iwaspleasedtoreadcontentmentonhercountenance，but，alas！shewasconcealingthepainfulanxietywhichshefeltacutely。Hernoblemindrefusedtoshewanyuneasiness，andIcouldnotguessherinmostthoughtsbecauseIhadnoideathatshehadanythingtofear。
　　IshouldhavethoughtandacteddifferentlyifIhadknownallherhistory。InsteadofremaininginParmaIshouldhavegonewithhertoLondon，andIknownowthatshewouldhavebeendelightedtogothere。
　　Thetwoartistsarrivedsoonafterwards；theywerethe’primocantatore’Laschi，andthe’primadonna’Baglioni，thenaveryprettywoman。Theotherguestssoonfollowed；allofthemwereFrenchmenandSpaniardsofacertainage。Nointroductionstookplace，andI
　　readthetactofthewittyhunchbackintheomission，butasalltheguestsweremenusedtothemannersofthecourt，thatneglectofetiquettedidnotpreventthemfrompayingeveryhonourtomylovelyfriend，whoreceivedtheircomplimentswiththateaseandgoodbreedingwhichareknownonlyinFrance，andeventhereonlyinthehighestsociety，withtheexception，however，ofafewFrenchprovincesinwhichthenobility，wronglycalledgoodsociety，shewrathertooopenlythehaughtinesswhichischaracteristicofthatclass。
　　Theconcertbeganbyamagnificentsymphony，afterwhichLaschiandBaglionisangaduetwithgreattalentandmuchtaste。TheywerefollowedbyapupilofthecelebratedVandini，whoplayedaconcertoonthevioloncello，andwaswarmlyapplauded。
　　TheapplausehadnotyetceasedwhenHenriette，leavingherseat，wentuptotheyoungartist，andtoldhim，withmodestconfidence，asshetookthevioloncellofromhim，thatshecouldbringoutthebeautifultoneoftheinstrumentstillbetter。Iwasstruckwithamazement。Shetooktheyoungman’sseat，placedthevioloncellobetweenherknees，andbeggedtheleaderoftheorchestratobegintheconcertoagain。Thedeepestsilenceprevailed。Iwastremblingallover，andalmostfainting。FortunatelyeverylookwasfixeduponHenriette，andnobodythoughtofme。Norwasshelookingtowardsme，shewouldnothavethenventuredevenoneglance，forshewouldhavelostcourage，ifshehadraisedherbeautifuleyestomyface。
　　However，notseeingherdisposingherselftoplay，Iwasbeginningtoimaginethatshehadonlybeenindulginginajest，whenshesuddenlymadethestringsresound。MyheartwasbeatingwithsuchforcethatIthoughtIshoulddropdowndead。
　　Butletthereaderimaginemysituationwhen，theconcertobeingover，well—meritedapplauseburstfromeverypartoftheroom！Therapidchangefromextremefeartoexcessivepleasurebroughtonanexcitementwhichwaslikeaviolentfever。TheapplausedidnotseemtohaveanyeffectuponHenriette，who，withoutraisinghereyesfromthenoteswhichshesawforthefirsttime，playedsixpieceswiththegreatestperfection。Assherosefromherseat，shedidnotthanktheguestsfortheirapplause，but，addressingtheyoungartistwithaffability，shetoldhim，withasweetsmile，thatshehadneverplayedonafinerinstrument。Then，curtsyingtotheaudience，shesaid，"Ientreatyourforgivenessforamovementofvanitywhichhasmademeencroachonyourpatienceforhalfanhour。"
　　Thenobilityandgraceofthisremarkcompletelyupsetme，andIranouttoweeplikeachild，inthegardenwherenoonecouldseeme。
　　"Whoisshe，thisHenriette？"Isaidtomyself，myheartbeating，andmyeyesswimmingwithtearsofemotion，"whatisthistreasureIhaveinmypossession？"
　　MyhappinesswassoimmensethatIfeltmyselfunworthyofit。
　　Lostinthesethoughtswhichenhancedthepleasureofanytears，I
　　shouldhavestayedforalongtuneinthegardenifDuboishadnotcomeouttolookforme。Hefeltanxiousaboutme，owingtomysuddendisappearance，andIquietedhimbysayingthataslightgiddinesshadcompelledmetocomeouttobreathethefreshair。
　　Beforere—enteringtheroom，Ihadtimetodrymytears，butmyeyelidswerestillred。Henriette，however，wastheonlyonetotakenoticeofit，andshesaidtome，"Iknow，mydarling，whyyouwentintothegarden"
　　Sheknewmesowellthatshecouldeasilyguesstheimpressionmadeonmyheartbytheevening’soccurrence。
　　Duboishadinvitedthemostamiablenoblemenofthecourt，andhissupperwasdaintyandwellarranged。IwasseatedoppositeHenriettewhowas，asamatterofcourse，monopolizingthegeneralattention，butshewouldhavemetwiththesamesuccessifshehadbeensurroundedbyacircleofladieswhomshewouldcertainlyhavethrownintotheshadebyherbeauty，herwit，andthedistinctionofhermanners。Shewasthecharmofthatsupperbytheanimationsheimpartedtotheconversation。M。Duboissaidnothing，buthewasproudtohavesuchalovelyguestinhishouse。Shecontrivedtosayafewgraciouswordstoeveryone，andwasshrewdenoughnevertouttersomethingwittywithoutmakingmetakeashareinit。Onmyside，Iopenlyshewedmysubmissiveness，mydeference，andmyrespectforthatdivinity，butitwasallinvain。ShewantedeverybodytoknowthatIwasherlordandmaster。Shemighthavebeentakenformywife，butmybehaviourtoherrenderedsuchasuppositionimprobable。
　　TheconversationhavingfallenontherespectivemeritsoftheFrenchandSpanishnations，DuboiswasfoolishenoughtoaskHenriettetowhichshegavepreference。
　　Itwouldhavebeendifficulttoaskamoreindiscreetquestion，consideringthatthecompanywascomposedalmostentirelyofFrenchmenandSpaniardsinaboutequalproportion。YetmyHenrietteturnedthedifficultysocleverlythattheFrenchmenwouldhavelikedtobeSpaniards，and’viceversa’。Dubois，nothingdaunted，beggedhertosaywhatshethoughtoftheItalians。Thequestionmademetremble。AcertainM。delaCombe，whowasseatednearme，shookhisheadintokenofdisapprobation，butHenriettedidnottrytoeludethequestion。
　　"WhatcanIsayabouttheItalians，"sheanswered，"Iknowonlyone？
　　IfIamtojudgethemallfromthatonemyjudgmentmustcertainlybemostfavourabletothem，butonesingleexampleisnotsufficienttoestablishtherule。"
　　Itwasimpossibletogiveabetteranswer，butasmyreadersmaywellimagine，Ididnotappeartohaveheardit，andbeinganxioustopreventanymoreindiscreetquestionsfromDuboisIturnedtheconversationintoadifferentchannel。
　　Thesubjectofmusicwasdiscussed，andaSpaniardaskedHenriettewhethershecouldplayanyotherinstrumentbesidesthevioloncello。
　　"No，"sheanswered，"Ineverfeltanyinclinationforanyother。I
　　learnedthevioloncelloattheconventtopleasemymother，whocanplayitprettywell，andwithoutanorderfrommyfather，sanctionedbythebishop，theabbesswouldneverhavegivenmepermissiontopractiseit。"
　　"Whatobjectioncouldtheabbessmake？"
　　"ThatdevoutspouseofourLordpretendedthatIcouldnotplaythatinstrumentwithoutassuminganindecentposition。"
　　AtthistheSpanishguestsbittheirlips，buttheFrenchmenlaughedheartily，anddidnotsparetheirepigramsagainsttheover—
　　particularabbess。
　　Afterashortsilence，Henrietterose，andweallfollowedherexample。Itwasthesignalforbreakinguptheparty，andwesoontookourleave。
　　Ilongedtofindmyselfalonewiththeidolofmysoul。Iaskedherahundredquestionswithoutwaitingfortheanswers。
　　"Ah！youwereright，myownHenriette，whenyourefusedtogotothatconcert，foryouknewthatyouwouldraisemanyenemiesagainstme。Iamcertainthatallthosemenhateme，butwhatdoIcare？
　　Youaremyuniverse！Crueldarling，youalmostkilledmewithyourvioloncello，because，havingnoideaofyourbeingamusician，I
　　thoughtyouhadgonemad，andwhenIheardyouIwascompelledtoleavetheroominordertoweepundisturbed。Mytearsrelievedmyfearfuloppression。Oh！Ientreatyoutotellmewhatothertalentsyoupossess。Tellmecandidly，foryoumightkillmeifyoubroughtthemoutunexpectedly，asyouhavedonethisevening。"
　　"Ihavenootheraccomplishments，mybestbeloved。Ihaveemptiedmybagallatonce。NowyouknowyourHenrietteentirely。Hadyounotchancedtotellmeaboutamonthagothatyouhadnotasteformusic，IwouldhavetoldyouthatIcouldplaythevioloncelloremarkablywell，butifIhadmentionedsuchathing，Iknowyouwellenoughtobecertainthatyouwouldhaveboughtaninstrumentimmediately，andIcouldnot，dearest，findpleasureinanythingthatwouldwearyyou。"
　　Theverynextmorningshehadanexcellentvioloncello，and，farfromwearyingme，eachtimesheplayedshecausedmeanewandgreaterpleasure。Ibelievethatitwouldbeimpossibleeventoamandislikingmusicnottobecomepassionatelyfondofit，ifthatartwerepractisedtoperfectionbythewomanheadores。
　　The’voxhumana’ofthevioloncello；thekingofinstruments，wenttomyhearteverytimethatmybelovedHenrietteperformeduponit。SheknewIlovedtohearherplay，andeverydaysheaffordedmethatpleasure。HertalentdelightedmesomuchthatIproposedtohertogivesomeconcerts，butshewasprudentenoughtorefusemyproposal。
　　Butinspiteofallherprudencewehadnopowertohinderthedecreesoffate。
　　Thefatalhunchbackcamethedayafterhisfinesuppertothankusandtoreceiveourwell—meritedpraisesofhisconcert，hissupper，andthedistinctionofhisguests。
　　"Iforesee，madam，"hesaidtoHenriette，"allthedifficultyIshallhaveindefendingmyselfagainsttheprayersofallmyfriends，whowillbegofmetointroducethemtoyou。"
　　"Youneednothavemuchtroubleonthatscore:youknowthatInever，receiveanyone。"
　　Duboisdidnotagainventureuponspeakingofintroducinganyfriend。
　　OnthesamedayIreceivedaletterfromyoungCapitani，inwhichheinformedmethat，beingtheownerofSt。Peter’sknifeandsheath，hehadcalledonFranziawithtwolearnedmagicianswhohadpromisedtoraisethetreasureoutoftheearth，andthattohisgreatsurpriseFranziahadrefusedtoreceivehim:Heentreatedmetowritetotheworthyfellow，andtogotohimmyselfifIwantedtohavemyshareofthetreasure。IneednotsaythatIdidnotcomplywithhiswishes，butIcanvouchfortherealpleasureIfeltinfindingthatIhadsucceededinsavingthathonestandsimplefarmerfromtheimpostorswhowouldhaveruinedhim。
　　OnemonthwasgonesincethegreatsuppergivenbyDubois。Wehadpasseditinalltheenjoymentwhichcanbederivedbothfromthesensesandthemind，andneverhadonesingleinstantofwearinesscausedeitherofustobeguiltyofthatsadsymptomofmiserywhichiscalledayawn。Theonlypleasurewetookoutofdoorswasadriveoutsideofthecitywhentheweatherwasfine。Asweneverwalkedinthestreets，andneverfrequentedanypublicplace，noonehadsoughttomakeouracquaintance，oratleastnoonehadfoundanopportunityofdoingso，inspiteofallthecuriosityexcitedbyHenrietteamongstthepersonswhomwehadchancedtomeet，particularlyatthehouseofDubois。Henriettehadbecomemorecourageous，andImoreconfident，whenwefoundthatshehadnotbeenrecognizedbyanyoneeitheratthatsupperoratthetheatre。Sheonlydreadedpersonsbelongingtothehighnobility。
　　OnedayasweweredrivingoutsidetheGateofColorno，wemetthedukeandduchesswhowerereturningtoParma。Immediatelyaftertheircarriageanothervehicledrovealong，inwhichwasDuboiswithanoblemanunknowntous。Ourcarriagehadonlygoneafewyardsfromtheirswhenoneofourhorsesbrokedown。ThecompanionofDuboisimmediatelyorderedhiscoachmantostopinordertosendtoourassistance。Whilstthehorsewasraisedagain，hecamepolitelytoourcarriage，andpaidsomecivilcomplimenttoHenriette。
　　M。Dubois，alwaysashrewdcourtierandanxioustoshewoffattheexpenseofothers，lostnotimeinintroducinghimasM。Dutillot，theFrenchambassador。Mysweetheartgavetheconventionalbow。Thehorsebeingallrightagain，weproceededonourroadafterthankingthegentlemenfortheircourtesy。Suchanevery—dayoccurrencecouldnotbeexpectedtohaveanyseriousconsequences，butalas！themostimportanteventsareoftentheresultofverytriflingcircumstances！
　　Thenextday，Duboisbreakfastedwithus。HetoldusfranklythatM。Dutillothadbeendelightedatthefortunatechancewhichhadaffordedhimanopportunityofmakingouracquaintance，andthathehadentreatedhimtoaskourpermissiontocallonus。
　　"Onmadamoronme？"Iaskedatonce。
　　"Onboth。"
　　"Verywell，butoneatatime。Madam，asyouknow，hasherownroomandIhavemine。"
　　"Yes，buttheyaresoneareachother！"
　　"Granted，yetImusttellyouthat，asfarasIamconcerned，I
　　shouldhavemuchpleasureinwaitinguponhisexcellencyifheshouldeverwishtocommunicatewithme，andyouwillobligemebylettinghimknowit。Asformadam，sheishere，speaktoher，mydearM。
　　Dubois，forIamonlyherveryhumbleservant。"
　　Henrietteassumedanairofcheerfulpoliteness，andsaidtohim，"Sir，IbegyouwilloffermythankstoM。Dutillot，andenquirefromhimwhetherheknowsme。"
　　"Iamcertain，madam，"saidthehunchback，"thathedoesnot。"
　　"Youseehedoesnotknowme，andyethewishestocallonme。YoumustagreewithmethatifIacceptedhisvisitsIshouldgivehimasingularopinionofmycharacter。Begoodenoughtotellhimthat，althoughknowntonooneandknowingnoone，Iamnotanadventuress，andthereforeImustdeclinethehonourofhisvisits。"
　　Duboisfeltthathehadtakenafalsestep，andremainedsilent。Weneveraskedhimhowtheambassadorhadreceivedourrefusal。
　　Threeweeksafterthelastoccurrence，theducalcourtresidingthenatColorno，agreatentertainmentwasgiveninthegardenswhichweretobeilluminatedallnight。Everybodyhadpermissiontowalkaboutthegardens。Dubois，thefatalhunchbackappointedbydestiny，spokesomuchofthatfestival，thatwetookafancytoseeit。AlwaysthesamestoryofAdam’sapple。Duboisaccompaniedus。WewenttoColornothedaybeforetheentertainment，andputupataninn。
　　Intheeveningwewalkedthroughthegardens，inwhichwehappenedtomeettheducalfamilyandsuite。AccordingtotheetiquetteoftheFrenchcourt，MadamedeFrancewasthefirsttocurtsytoHenriette，withoutstopping。MyeyesfelluponagentlemanwalkingbythesideofDonLouis，whowaslookingatmyfriendveryattentively。Afewminutesafter，aswewereretracingoursteps，wecameacrossthesamegentlemanwho，afterbowingrespectfullytous，tookDuboisaside。Theyconversedtogetherforaquarterofanhour，followingusallthetime，andwewerepassingoutofthegardens，whenthegentleman，comingforward，andpolitelyapologizingtome，askedHenriettewhetherhehadthehonourtobeknowntoher。
　　"Idonotrecollecthavingeverhadthehonourofseeingyoubefore。"
　　"Thatisenough，madam，andIentreatyoutoforgiveme。"
　　DuboisinformedusthatthegentlemanwastheintimatefriendoftheInfanteDonLouis，andthat，believingheknewmadam，hehadbeggedtobeintroduced。DuboishadansweredthathernamewasD’Arci，andthat，ifhewasknowntothelady，herequirednointroduction。
　　M。d’AntoinesaidthatthenameofD’Arciwasunknowntohim，andthathewasafraidofmakingamistake。"Inthatstateofdoubt，"
　　addedDubois，"andwishingtoclearit，heintroducedhimself，butnowhemustseethathewasmistaken。"
　　Aftersupper，Henrietteappearedanxious。IaskedherwhethershehadonlypretendednottoknowM。d’Antoine。
　　"No，dearest，Icanassureyou。IknowhisnamewhichbelongstoanillustriousfamilyofProvence，butIhaveneverseenhimbefore。"
　　"Perhapshemayknowyou？"
　　"Hemighthaveseenme，butIamcertainthatheneverspoketome，orIwouldhaverecollectedhim。"
　　"Thatmeetingcausesmegreatanxiety，anditseemstohavetroubledyou。"
　　"Iconfessithasdisturbedmymind。"
　　"LetusleaveParmaatonceandproceedtoGenoa。WewillgotoVeniceassoonasmyaffairstherearesettled。"
　　"Yes，mydearfriend，weshallthenfeelmorecomfortable。ButIdonotthinkweneedbeinanyhurry。"
　　WereturnedtoParma，andtwodaysafterwardsmyservanthandedmealetter，sayingthatthefootmanwhohadbroughtitwaswaitingintheante—room。
　　"Thisletter，"IsaidtoHenriette，"troublesme。"
　　Shetookit，andaftershehadreadit——shegaveitbacktome，saying，"IthinkM。d’Antoineisamanofhonour，andIhopethatwemayhavenothingtofear。"
　　Theletterranas，follows:
　　"Eitheratyourhoteloratmyresidence，oratanyotherplaceyoumaywishtoappoint，Ientreatyou，sir，togivemeanopportunityofconversingwithyouonasubjectwhichmustbeofthegreatestimportancetoyou。
　　"Ihavethehonourtobe，etc。
　　"D’ANTOINE。"
　　ItwasaddressedM。Farusi。
　　"IthinkImustseehim，"Isaid，"butwhere？"
　　"Neitherherenorathisresidence，butintheducalgardens。Youranswermustnameonlytheplaceandthehourofthemeeting。"
　　IwrotetoM。d’AntoinethatIwouldseehimathalf—pastelevenintheducalgardens，onlyrequestinghimtoappointanotherhourincaseminewasnotconvenienttohim。
　　Idressedmyselfatonceinordertobeingoodtime，andmeanwhilewebothendeavoured，HenrietteandI，tokeepacheerfulcountenance，butwecouldnotsilenceoursadforebodings。IwasexacttomyappointmentandfoundM。d’Antoinewaitingforme。Assoonasweweretogether，hesaidtome，"Ihavebeencompelled，sir，tobegfromyouthefavourofaninterview，becauseIcouldnotimagineanysurerwaytogetthislettertoMadamed’Arci’shands。Ientreatyoutodeliverittoher，andtoexcusemeifIgiveityousealed。ShouldIbemistaken，myletterwillnotevenrequireananswer，butshouldIberight，Madamed’Arcialonecanjudgewhethersheoughttocommunicateittoyou。
　　Thatismyreasonforgivingittoyousealed。Ifyouaretrulyherfriend，thecontentsofthatlettermustbeasinterestingtoyouastoher。MayIhope，sir，thatyouwillbegoodenoughtodeliverittoher？"
　　"Sir，onmyhonourIwilldoit。"
　　Webowedrespectfullytoeachother，andpartedcompany。Ihurriedbacktothehotel。
　　CHAPTERIII
　　HenrietteReceivestheVisitofM。d’AntoineIAccompanyHerasFarasGenevaandThenILoseHer——ICrosstheSt。Bernard，andReturntoParma——ALetterfromHensiette——MyDespairDeLaHayeBecomesAttachedtoMe——UnpleasantAdventurewithanActressandItsConsequences——ITurnaThoroughBigot——Bavois——IMystifyaBraggingOfficer。
　　AssoonasIhadreachedourapartment，myheartburstingwithanxiety，IrepeatedtoHenrietteeverywordspokenbyM。d’Antoine，anddeliveredhisletterwhichcontainedfourpagesofwriting。Shereaditattentivelywithvisibleemotion，andthenshesaid，"Dearestfriend，donotbeoffended，butthehonouroftwofamiliesdoesnotallowofmyimpartingtoyouthecontentsofthisletter。I
　　amcompelledtoreceiveM。d’Antoine，whorepresentshimselfasbeingoneofmyrelatives。"
　　"Ah！"Iexclaimed，"thisisthebeginningoftheend！Whatadreadfulthought！Iamneartheendofafelicitywhichwastoogreattolast！WretchthatIhavebeen！WhydidItarrysolonginParma？Whatfatalblindness！Ofallthecitiesinthewholeworld，exceptFrance，ParmawastheonlyoneIhadtofear，anditisherethatIhavebroughtyou，whenIcouldhavetakenyouanywhereelse，foryouhadnowillbutmine！Iamallthemoreguiltythatyouneverconcealedyourfearsfromme。WhydidIintroducethatfatalDuboishere？OughtInottohaveguessedthathiscuriositywouldsoonerorlaterproveinjurioustous？AndyetIcannotcondemnthatcuriosity，foritis，alas！anaturalfeeling。IcanonlyaccusealltheperfectionswhichHeavenhasbestoweduponyou！——perfectionswhichhavecausedmyhappiness，andwhichwillplungemeinanabyssofdespair，for，alas！Iforeseeafutureoffearfulmisery。"
　　"Ientreatyou，dearest，toforeseenothing，andtocalmyourself。
　　Letusavailourselvesofallourreasoninordertoproveourselvessuperiortocircumstances，whatevertheymaybe。Icannotanswerthisletter，butyoumustwritetoM。d’Antoinetocallheretomorrowandtosenduphisname。"
　　"Alas！youcompelmetoperformapainfultask。"
　　"Youaremybest，myonlyfriend；Idemandnothing，Iimposenotaskuponyou，butcanyourefuseme？"
　　"No，never，nomatterwhatyouask。Disposeofme，Iamyoursinlifeanddeath。"
　　"Iknewwhatyouwouldanswer。YoumustbewithmewhenM。
　　d’Antoinecalls，butafterafewminutesgiventoetiquette，willyoufindsomepretexttogotoyourroom，andleaveusalone？
　　M。d’Antoineknowsallmyhistory；heknowsinwhatIhavedonewrong，inwhatIhavebeenright；asamanofhonour，asmyrelative，hemustsheltermefromallaffront。Heshallnotdoanythingagainstmywill，andifheattemptstodeviatefromtheconditionsI
　　willdictatetohim，IwillrefusetogotoFrance，Iwillfollowyouanywhere，anddevotetoyoutheremainderofmylife。Yet，mydarling，recollectthatsomefatalcircumstancesmaycompelustoconsiderourseparationasthewisestcoursetoadopt，thatwemusthusbandallourcouragetoadoptit，ifnecessary，andtoendeavournottobetoounhappy。
　　Haveconfidenceinme，andbequitecertainthatIshalltakecaretoreserveformyselfthesmallportionofhappinesswhichIcanbeallowedtoenjoywithoutthemanwhoalonehaswonallmydevotedlove。Youwillhave，Itrust，andIexpectitfromyourgeneroussoul，thesamecareofyourfuture，andIfeelcertainthatyoumustsucceed。Inthemeantime，letusdriveawayallthesadforebodingswhichmightdarkenthehourswehaveyetbeforeus。"
　　"Ah！whydidwenotgoawayimmediatelyafterwehadmetthataccursedfavouriteoftheInfante！"
　　"Wemighthavemademattersmuchworse；forinthatcaseM。d’Antoinemighthavemadeuphismindtogivemyfamilyaproofofhiszealbyinstitutingasearchtodiscoverourplaceofresidence，andIshouldthenhavebeenexposedtoviolentproceedingswhichyouwouldnothaveendured。Itwouldhavebeenfataltobothofus。"
　　Idideverythingsheaskedme。Fromthatmomentourlovebecamesad，andsadnessisadiseasewhichgivesthedeath—blowtoaffection。Wewouldoftenremainawholehouroppositeeachotherwithoutexchangingasingleword，andoursighswouldbeheardwhateverwedidtohushthem。
　　Thenextday，whenM。d’Antoinecalled，Ifollowedexactlytheinstructionsshehadgivenme，andforsixmortalhoursIremainedalone，pretendingtowrite。
　　Thedoorofmyroomwasopen，andalargelooking—glassallowedustoseeeachother。Theyspentthosesixhoursinwriting，occasionallystoppingtotalkofIdonotknowwhat，buttheirconversationwasevidentlyadecisiveone。ThereadercaneasilyrealizehowmuchI
　　sufferedduringthatlongtorture，forIcouldexpectnothingbutthetotalwreckofmyhappiness。
　　AssoonastheterribleM。d’Antoinehadtakenleaveofher，Henriettecametome，andobservingthathereyeswereredIheavedadeepsigh，butshetriedtosmile。
　　"Shallwegoawayto—morrow，dearest？"
　　"Oh！yes，Iamready。Wheredoyouwishmetotakeyou？"
　　"Anywhereyoulike，butwemustbehereinafortnight。"
　　"Here！Oh，fatalillusion！"
　　"Alas！itisso。IhavepromisedtobeheretoreceivetheanswertoaletterIhavejustwritten。Wehavenoviolentproceedingstofear，butIcannotbeartoremaininParma。"
　　"Ah！Icursethehourwhichbroughtustothiscity。WouldyouliketogotoMilan？"
　　"Yes。"
　　"Asweareunfortunatelycompelledtocomeback，wemayaswelltakewithusCaudagnaandhissister。"
　　"Asyouplease。"
　　"Letmearrangeeverything。Iwillorderacarriageforthem，andtheywilltakechargeofyourvioloncello。DoyounotthinkthatyououghttoletM。d’Antoineknowwherewearegoing？"
　　"No，itseemstome，onthecontrary，thatIneednotaccounttohimforanyofmyproceedings。Somuchtheworseforhimifheshould，evenforonemoment，doubtmyword。"
　　Thenextmorning，weleftParma，takingonlywhatwewantedforanabsenceofafortnight。WearrivedinMilanwithoutaccident，butbothverysad，andwespentthefollowingfifteendaysinconstanttete—a—tete，withoutspeakingtoanyone，exceptthelandlordofthehotelandtoadressmaker。IpresentedmybelovedHenriettewithamagnificentpelissemadeoflynxfur——apresentwhichsheprizedhighly。
　　Outofdelicacy，shehadneverenquiredaboutmymeans，andIfeltgratefultoherforthatreserve。Iwasverycarefultoconcealfromherthefactthatmypursewasgettingverylight。WhenwecamebacktoParmaIhadonlythreeorfourhundredsequins。
　　ThedayafterourreturnM。d’Antoineinvitedhimselftodinewithus，andafterwehaddrunkcoffee，IlefthimalonewithHenriette。
　　Theirinterviewwasaslongasthefirst，andourseparationwasdecided。Sheinformedmeofit，immediatelyafterthedepartureofM。d’Antoine，andforalongtimeweremainedfoldedineachother’sarms，silent，andblendingourbittertears。
　　"WhenshallIhavetopartfromyou，mybeloved，alas！toomuchbelovedone？"
　　"Becalm，dearest，onlywhenwereachGeneva，whitheryouaregoingtoaccompanyme。Willyoutrytofindmearespectablemaidbyto—morrow？ShewillaccompanymefromGenevatotheplacewhereIamboundtogo。"
　　"Oh！then，weshallspendafewdaysmoretogether！IknownoonebutDuboiswhomIcouldtrusttoprocureagoodfemme—de—chambre；
　　onlyIdonotwanthimtolearnfromherwhatyoumightnotwishhimtoknow。"
　　"Thatwillnotbethecase，forIwilltakeanothermaidassoonasI
　　aminFrance。"
　　Threedaysafterwards，Dubois，whohadgladlyundertakenthecommission，presentedtoHenrietteawomanalreadysomewhatadvancedinyears，prettywelldressedandrespectable—looking，who，beingpoor，wasgladofanopportunityofgoingbacktoFrance，hernativecountry。Herhusband，anoldmilitaryofficer，haddiedafewmonthsbefore，leavinghertotallyunprovidedfor。Henrietteengagedher，andtoldhertokeepherselfreadytostartwheneverM。Duboisshouldgivehernotice。Thedaybeforetheonefixedforourdeparture，M。
　　d’Antoinedinedwithus，and，beforetakingleaveofus，hegaveHenrietteasealedletterforGeneva。
　　WeleftParmalateintheevening，andstoppedonlytwohoursinTurin，inordertoengageamanservantwhoseserviceswerequiredasfarasGeneva。ThenextdayweascendedMontCenisinsedan—chairs，andwedescendedtotheNovalaiseinmountain—sledges。OnthefifthdaywereachedGeneva，andweputupattheHoteldesBalances。Thenextmorning，HenriettegavemealetterforthebankerTronchin，who，whenhehadreadit，toldmethathewouldcallhimselfatthehotel，andbringmeonethousandlouisd’or。
　　Icamebackandwesatdowntodinner。Wehadnotfinishedourmealwhenthebankerwasannounced。Hehadbroughtthethousandlouisd’or，andtoldHenriettethathewouldgivehertwomenwhomhecouldrecommendineveryway。
　　SheansweredthatshewouldleaveGenevaassoonasshehadthecarriagewhichhewastoprovideforher，accordingtotheletterI
　　haddeliveredtohim。Hepromisedthateverythingwouldbereadyforthefollowingday，andheleftus。Itwasindeedaterriblemoment！
　　Griefalmostbenumbedusboth。Weremainedmotionless，speechless，wrappedupinthemostprofounddespair。
　　IbrokethatsadsilencetotellherthatthecarriagewhichM。
　　Tronchinwouldprovidecouldnotpossiblybeascomfortableandassafeasmine，andIentreatedhertotakeit，assuringherthatbyacceptingitshewouldgivemealastproofofheraffection。
　　"Iwilltakeinexchange，mydearestlove，thecarriagesentbythebanker。"
　　"Iacceptthechange，darling，"sheanswered，"itwillbeagreatconsolationtopossesssomethingwhichhasbelongedtoyou。"
　　Asshesaidthesewords，sheslippedinmypocketfiverollscontainingeachonehundredlouisd’or——aslightconsolationformyheart，whichwasalmostbrokenbyourcruelseparation！Duringthelasttwenty—fourhourswecouldboastofnoothereloquencebutthatwhichfindsexpressionintears，insobs，andinthosehackneyedbutenergeticexclamations，whichtwohappyloversaresuretoaddresstoreason，wheninitssternnessitcompelsthemtopartfromoneanotherintheveryheightoftheirfelicity。Henriettedidnotendeavourtoluremewithanyhopeforthefuture，inordertoallaymysorrow！Farfromthat，shesaidtome，"Oncewearepartedbyfate，mybestandonlyfriend，neverenquireafterme，and，shouldchancethrowyouinmyway，donotappeartoknowme。"
　　ShegavemealetterforM。d’Antoine，withoutaskingmewhetherI
　　intendedtogobacktoParma，but，evenifsuchhadnotbeenmyintention，Ishouldhavedeterminedatonceuponreturningtothatcity。ShelikewiseentreatedmenottoleaveGenevauntilIhadreceivedaletterwhichshepromisedto，writetomefromthefirststageonherjourney。Shestartedatday—break，havingwithheramaid，afootmanontheboxofthecarriage，andbeingprecededbyacourieronhorseback。IfollowedherwithmyeyesaslongasI
　　could，seehercarriage，andIwasstillstandingonthesamespotlongaftermyeyeshadlostsightofit。AllmythoughtswerewrappedupinthebelovedobjectIhadlostforever。Theworldwasablank！
　　Iwentbacktomyroom，orderedthewaiternottodisturbmeuntilthereturnofthehorseswhichhaddrawnHenriette’scarriage，andI
　　laydownonmybedinthehopethatsleepwouldforatimesilenceagriefwhichtearscouldnotdrown。
　　ThepostillionwhohaddrivenHenriettedidnotreturntillthenextday；hehadgoneasfarasChatillon。HebroughtmealetterinwhichIfoundonesingleword:Adieu！HetoldmethattheyhadreachedChatillonwithoutaccident，andthattheladyhadimmediatelycontinuedherjourneytowardsLyons。AsIcouldnotleaveGenevauntilthefollowingday，Ispentaloneinmyroomsomeofthemostmelancholyhoursofmylife。IsawononeofthepanesofglassofawindowthesewordswhichshehadtracedwiththepointofadiamondI
　　hadgivenher:"YouwillforgetHenriette。"Thatprophecywasnotlikelytoaffordmeanyconsolation。Buthadsheattacheditsfullmeaningtotheword"forget？"No；shecouldonlymeanthattimewouldatlasthealthedeepwoundsofmyheart，andsheoughtnottohavemadeitdeeperbyleavingbehindherthosewordswhichsoundedlikeareproach。No，Ihavenotforgottenher，forevennow，whenmyheadiscoveredwithwhitehair，therecollectionofherisstillasourceofhappinessformyheart！WhenIthinkthatinmyoldageI
　　derivehappinessonlyfrommyrecollectionsofthepast，Ifindthatmylonglifemusthavecountedmorebrightthandarkdays，andofferingmythankstoGod，theGiverofall，Icongratulatemyself，andconfessthatlifeisagreatblessing。
　　ThenextdayIsetoffagainforItalywithaservantrecommendedbyM。Tronchin，andalthoughtheseasonwasnotfavourableItooktheroadoverMontSt。Bernard，whichIcrossedinthreedays，withsevenmulescarryingme，myservant，myluggage，andthecarriagesentbythebankertothebelovedwomannowforeverlosttome。Oneoftheadvantagesofagreatsorrowisthatnothingelseseemspainful。Itisasortofdespairwhichisnotwithoutsomesweetness。DuringthatjourneyIneverfelteitherhungerorthirst，orthecoldwhichissointenseinthatpartoftheAlpsthatthewholeofnatureseemstoturntoice，orthefatigueinseparablefromsuchadifficultanddangerousjourney。
　　IarrivedinParmainprettygoodhealth，andtookupmyquartersatasmallinn，inthehopethatinsuchaplaceIshouldnotmeetanyacquaintanceofmine。ButIwasmuchdisappointed，forIfoundinthatinnM。delaHaye，whohadaroomnexttomine。Surprisedatseeingme，hepaidmealongcompliment，tryingtomakemespeak，butIeludedhiscuriositybytellinghimthatIwastired，andthatwewouldseeeachotheragain。
　　OnthefollowingdayIcalleduponM。d’Antoine，anddeliveredtheletterwhichHenriettehadwrittentohim。Heopeneditinmypresence，andfindinganothertomyaddressenclosedinhis，hehandedittomewithoutreadingit，althoughitwasnotsealed。
　　Thinking，however，thatitmighthavebeenHenriette’sintentionthatheshouldreaditbecauseitwasopen，heaskedmypermissiontodoso，whichIgrantedwithpleasureassoonasIhadmyselfperusedit。
　　Hehandeditbacktomeafterhehadreadit，tellingmeveryfeelinglythatIcouldineverythingrelyuponhimanduponhisinfluenceandcredit。
　　HereisHenriette’sletter’ItisI，dearestandbestfriend，whohavebeencompelledtoabandonyou，butdonotletyourgriefbeincreasedbyanythoughtofmysorrow。Letusbewiseenoughtosupposethatwehavehadahappydream，andnottocomplainofdestiny，forneverdidsobeautifuladreamlastsolong！Letusbeproudoftheconsciousnessthatforthreemonthswegaveoneanotherthemostperfectfelicity。Fewhumanbeingscanboastofsomuch！Letusswearnevertoforgetoneanother，andtooftenrememberthehappyhoursofourlove，inordertorenewtheminoursouls，which，althoughdivided，willenjoythemasacutelyasifourheartswerebeatingoneagainsttheother。Donotmakeanyenquiriesaboutme，andifchanceshouldletyouknowwhoIam，forgetitforever。IfeelcertainthatyouwillbegladtohearthatIhavearrangedmyaffairssowellthatIshall，fortheremainderofmylife，beashappyasIcanpossiblybewithoutyou，dearfriend，bymyside。Idonotknowwhoyouare，butIamcertainthatnooneintheworldknowsyoubetterthanIdo。IshallnothaveanotherloveraslongasIlive，butIdonotwishyoutoimitateme。OnthecontraryIhopethatyouwillloveagain，andI
　　trustthatagoodfairywillbringalongyourpathanotherHenriette。
　　Farewell……farewell。"……
　　Imetthatadorablewomanfifteenyearslater；thereaderwillseewhereandhow，whenwecometothatperiodofmylife……
　　Iwentbacktomyroom，carelessofthefuture，brokendownbythedeepestofsorrows，Ilockedmyselfin，andwenttobed。IfeltsolowinspiritsthatIwasstunned。Lifewasnotaburden，butonlybecauseIdidnotgiveathoughttolife。InfactIwasinastateofcompleteapathy，moralandphysical。SixyearslaterIfoundmyselfinasimilarpredicament，butthattimelovewasnotthecauseofmysorrow；itwasthehorribleandtoofamousprisonofTheLeads，inVenice。
　　Iwasnotmuchbettereitherin1768，whenIwaslodgedintheprisonofBuenRetiro，inMadrid，butImustnotanticipateevents。
　　Attheendoftwenty—fourhours，myexhaustionwasverygreat，butI
　　didnotfindthesensationdisagreeable，and，inthestateofmindinwhichIwasthen，Iwaspleasedwiththeideathat，byincreasing，thatweaknesswouldatlastkillme。Iwasdelightedtoseethatnoonedisturbedmetooffermesomefood，andIcongratulatedmyselfuponhavingdismissedmyservant。Twenty—fourmorehourspassedby，andmyweaknessbecamecompleteinanition。
　　IwasinthatstatewhenDelaHayeknockedatmydoor。Iwouldnothaveansweredifhehadnotsaidthatsomeoneinsisteduponseeingme。Igotoutofbed，and，scarcelyabletostand，Iopenedmydoor，afterwhichIgotintobedagain。
　　"Thereisastrangerhere，"hesaid，"who，beinginwantofacarriage，offerstobuyyours"
　　"Idonotwanttosellit。"
　　"ExcusemeifIhavedisturbedyou，butyoulookill。"
　　"Yes，Iwishtobeleftalone。"
　　"Whatisthematterwithyou？"
　　Comingnearermybed，hetookmyhand，andfoundmypulseextremelylowandweak。
　　"Whatdidyoueatyesterday？"
　　"Ihaveeatennothing，thankGodIfortwodays。"
　　Guessingtherealstateofthings，DelaHayebecameanxious，andentreatedmetotakesomebroth。Hethrewsomuchkindness，somuchunction，intohisentreatiesthat，throughweaknessandweariness，I
　　allowedmyselftobepersuaded。Then，withoutevermentioningthenameofHenriette，hetreatedmetoasermonuponthelifetocome，uponthevanityofthethingsofthislifewhichwearefoolishenoughtoprefer，anduponthenecessityofrespectingourexistence，whichdoesnotbelongtous。
　　Iwaslisteningwithoutansweringoneword，but，afterall，Iwaslistening，andDelaHaye，perceivinghisadvantage，wouldnotleaveme，andordereddinner。Ihadneitherthewillnorthestrengthtoresist，andwhenthedinnerwasserved，Iatesomething。ThenDelaHavesawthathehadconquered，andfortheremainderofthedaydevotedhimselftoamusingmebyhischeerfulconversation。
　　Thenextdaythetableswereturned，foritwasIwhoinvitedhimtokeepmecompanyandtodinewithme。ItseemedtomethatIhadnotlostaparticleofmysadness，butlifeappearedtomeoncemorepreferabletodeath，and，thinkingthatIwasindebtedtohimforthepreservationofmylife，Imadeagreatfriendofhim。Myreaderswillseepresentlythatmyaffectionforhimwentveryfar，andtheywill，likeme，marvelatthecauseofthatfriendship，andatthemeansthroughwhichitwasbroughtabout。
　　Threeorfourdaysafterwards，Dubois，whohadbeeninformedofeverythingbyDelaHaye，calledonme，andpersuadedmetogoout。
　　Iwenttothetheatre，whereImadetheacquaintanceofseveralCorsicanofficers，whohadservedinFrance，intheRoyalItalianregiment。IalsometayoungmanfromSicily，namedPaterno，thewildestandmostheedlessfellowitwaspossibletosee。Hewasinlovewithanactresswhomadeafoolofhim。Heamusedmewiththeenumerationofallheradorablequalities，andofallthecrueltiesshewaspractisinguponhim，for，althoughshereceivedhimatallhours，sherepulsedhimharshlywheneverhetriedtostealtheslightestfavour。Inthemeantime，sheruinedhimbymakinghimpayconstantlyforexcellentdinnersandsuppers，whichwereeatenbyherfamily，butwhichdidnotadvancehimoneinchtowardsthefulfilmentofhiswishes。
　　Hesucceededatlastinexcitingmycuriosity。Iexaminedtheactressonthestage，andfindingthatshewasnotwithoutbeautyI
　　expressedawishtoknowher。Paternowasdelightedtointroducemetoher。
　　Ifoundthatshewasoftolerablyeasyvirtue，and，knowingthatshewasveryfarfromrollinginriches，Ihadnodoubtthatfifteenortwentysequinswouldbequitesufficienttomakehercompliant。I
　　communicatedmythoughtstoPaterno，buthelaughedandtoldmethat，ifIdaredtomakesuchapropositiontoher，shewouldcertainlyshutherdooragainstme。Henamedseveralofficerswhomshehadrefusedtoreceiveagain，becausetheyhadmadesimilaroffers。
　　"Yet，"addedtheyoungman，"Iwishyouwouldmaketheattempt，andtellmetheresultcandidly。"
　　Ifeltpiqued，andpromisedtodoit。
　　Ipaidheravisitinherdressing—roomatthetheatre，andasshehappenedduringourconversationtopraisethebeautyofmywatch，I
　　toldherthatshecouldeasilyobtainpossessionofit，andIsaidatwhatprice。Sheanswered，accordingtothecatechismofherprofession，thatanhonourablemanhadnorighttomakesuchanoffertoarespectablegirl。
　　"Iofferonlyoneducat，"saidI，"tothosewhoarenotrespectable。"
　　AndIlefther。
　　WhenItoldPaternowhathadoccurred，hefairlyjumpedforjoy，butIknewwhattothinkofitall，for’cosisonotutte’，andinspiteofallhisentreaties，Ideclinedtobepresentathissuppers，whichwerefarfromamusing，andgavethefamilyoftheactressanopportunityoflaughingatthepoorfoolwhowaspayingforthem。
　　Sevenoreightdaysafterwards，PaternotoldmethattheactresshadrelatedtheaffairtohimexactlyinthesamewordswhichIhadused，andshehadaddedthat，ifIhadceasedmyvisits，itwasonlybecauseIwasafraidofhertakingmeatmywordincaseIshouldrenewmyproposal。IcommissionedhimtotellherthatIwouldpayheranothervisit，nottorenewmyoffer，buttoshewmycontemptforanyproposalshemightmakemeherself。
　　Theheedlessfellowfulfilledhiscommissionsowellthattheactress，feelinginsulted，toldhimthatshedaredmetocallonher。
　　PerfectlydeterminedtoshewthatIdespisedher，Iwenttoherdressing—roomthesameevening，afterthesecondactofaplayinwhichshehadnottoappearagain。Shedismissedthosewhowerewithher，sayingthatshewantedtospeakwithme，and，aftershehadboltedthedoor，shesatdowngracefullyonmyknees，askingmewhetheritwastruethatIdespisedhersomuch。
　　Insuchapositionamanhasnotthecouragetoinsultawoman，and，insteadofanswering，Isettoworkatonce，withoutmeetingevenwiththatshowofresistancewhichsharpenstheappetite。Inspiteofthat，dupeasIalwayswasofafeelingtrulyabsurdwhenanintelligentmanhastodealwithsuchcreatures，Igavehertwentysequins，andIconfessthatitwaspayingdearlyforverysmartingregrets。WebothlaughedatthestupidityofPaterno，whodidnotseemtoknowhowsuchchallengesgenerallyend。
　　IsawtheunluckysonofSicilythenextmorning，andItoldhimthat，havingfoundtheactressverydull，Iwouldnotseeheragain。
　　Suchwastrulymyintention，butaveryimportantreason，whichnaturetookcaretoexplaintomethreedaysafterwards，compelledmetokeepmywordthroughamuchmoreseriousmotivethanasimpledislikeforthewoman。
　　However，althoughIwasdeeplygrievedtofindmyselfinsuchadisgracefulposition，IdidnotthinkIhadanyrighttocomplain。
　　Onthecontrary，Iconsideredthatmymisfortunetobeajustandwell—deservedpunishmentforhavingabandonedmyselftoaLais，afterIhadenjoyedthefelicityofpossessingawomanlikeHenriette。