"Icannotinviteyoutomyhouse，"saidshe，"forcertainsufficientreasons；butifyouwillstayheresometimeweshallbeabletoseeeachother。ButIentreatyounottoshewmeanymarkedattentioninpublic，fortherearethosewhowillspyuponouractions，anditisnotpleasanttobetalkedabout。
Iwasquitesatisfiedwiththis，andtoldherthatIwoulddoallinmypowertopleaseher，andthatthemostpryingeyesshouldhavenothingtofixon。IfeltthatthepleasureIlookedforwardtowouldberenderedallthesweeterbyatinctureofmystery。
Ihadproclaimedmyselfasanoviceinthemimicart，andhadentreatedmylamefriendtobekindenoughtoinstructme。I
thereforewenttoherinthemorning，butshecouldonlyflatterherselfthatherswasareflectedlight，asIhadopportunitiesforpayingmycourttomycharmerinherhouse，andhowevergreathervanitymayhavebeen，shemusthavehadsomesuspicionsofthetruth。
Thiswomanwasawidow，agedbetweenthirtyandfortyyears，ofajaundicedcomplexion，andapiercingandmaliciousaspect。Inhereffortstohidetheinequalityofherlegs，shewalkedwithastiffandawkwardair；and，wishingtobethoughtawit，sheincreasedhernaturaldullnessbyaceaselessflowofsmalltalk。Ipersistedinbehavingtowardsherwithagreatairofrespect，andonedayshesaidthat，havingseenmeinthedisguiseofawaiter，shewouldnothavethoughtIwasamanofatimidnature。
"Inwhatrespectdoyouthinkmetimid？"saidI；towhichshegavemenoanswer，butIknewperfectlywellwhatshemeant。Iwastiredofmypart，andIhaddeterminedtoplayitnomorewhenwehadactedL’Ecossaise。
AllthebestpeopleatSoleurewerepresentatourfirstperformance。
Thelameladywasdelightedwiththehorrorinspiredbyheracting；
butshemightcreditagreatdealofittoherappearance。M。deChavignidrewforththetearsoftheaudience，hisactingwassaidtobebetterthanthegreatVoltaire’s。Asforme，IrememberhownearIwastofaintingwhen，inthethirdsceneofthefifthact，Lindanesaidtome，"What！You！Youdaretoloveme？"
Shepronouncedthesewordswithsuchfieryscornthatallthespectatorsapplaudedvehemently。Iwasalmostputoutofcountenance，forIthoughtIdetectedinhervoiceaninsulttomyhonour。However，Icollectedmyselfintheminute’srespitewhichtheloudapplausegaveme，andIreplied，———
"Yes；Iadoreyou！HowshouldInot？"
SopatheticallyandtenderlydidIpronouncethesewordsthatthehallrangagainwiththeapplause，andtheencoresfromfourhundredthroatsmademerepeatthewordswhich，indeed，camefrommyheart。
Inspiteofthepleasurewehadgiventotheaudience，wejudgedourselvesnotperfectinourparts，andM。deChavigniadvisedustoputoffoursecondperformanceforacoupleofdays。
"Wewillhavearehearsalto—morrowatmycountryhouse，"saidhe，"andIbegthefavourofallyourcompaniestodinnerthere。"
However，weallmadeeachothercomplimentsonouracting。MylamefriendtoldmeIhadplayedwell，butnotsowellasinthepartofwaiter，whichreallysuitedmeadmirably。Thissarcasmgotthelaughonherside，butIreturneditbytellingherthatmyperformancewasaworkofart，whileherplayingofLadyAltonwaspurenature。
M。deChavignitoldMadamethatthespectatorswerewrongtoapplaudwhensheexpressedherwonderatmylovingher，sinceshehadspokenthewordsdisdainfully；anditwasimpossiblethatLindanecouldhavedespisedMurray。Theambassadorcalledformethenextdayinhiscarriage，andwhenwereachedhiscountry—housewefoundalltheactorsassembledthere。HisexcellencyaddressedhimselfinthefirstplacetoM。————，tellinghimhethoughthisbusinesswasasgoodasdone，andthattheywouldtalkaboutitafterdinner。Wesatdowntotable，andafterwardsrehearsedthepiecewithoutanyneedoftheprompter’sassistance。
TowardseveningtheambassadortoldthecompanythathewouldexpectthemtosupperthateveningatSoleure，andeveryoneleftwiththeexceptionoftheambassador，myself，andM。————andMadame————。JustasweweregoingIhadanagreeablesurprise。
"Willyoucomewithme，"saidtheAmbassadortoM。————，"wecantalkthematteroveratourease？M。Casanovawillhavethehonourofkeepingyourwifecompanyinyourcarriage。"
Igavethefairladymyhandrespectfully，andshetookitwithanairofindifference，butasIwashelpingherinshepressedmyhandwithallhermight。Thereadercanimaginehowthatpressuremademybloodcirculatelikefireinmyveins。
Thuswewereseatedsidebyside，ourkneespressedtenderlyagainsteachother。Halfanhourseemedlikeaminute，butitmustnotbethoughtthatwewastedthetime。Ourlipsweregluedtogether，andwerenotsetaparttillwecamewithintenpacesoftheambassador’shouse，whichIcouldhavewishedattenleaguesdistance。Shewasthefirsttogetdown，andIwasalarmedtoseetheviolentblushwhichoverspreadherwholeface。Suchrednesslookedunnatural；itmightbetrayus；ourspringofhappinesswouldsoonbedry。ThewatchfuleyeoftheenviousAltonwouldbefixeduponus，andnotinvain；hertriumphwouldoutweighherhumiliation。Iwasatmywits’
end。
Loveandluck，whichhavesofavouredmethroughoutthecourseofmylife，cametomyaid。Ihadaboutmeasmallboxcontaininghellebore。Iopeneditasifbyinstinct，andinvitedhertotakeasmallpinch。Shedidso，andIfollowedherexample；butthedosewastoostrong，andasweweregoingupthestairswebegantosneeze，andforthenextquarterofanhourwecontinuedsneezing。
Peoplewereobligedtoattributeherhighcolourtothesneezing，oratleastnoonecouldgivevoicetoanyothersuppositions。Whenthesneezingfitwasover，thiswoman，whowasascleverasshewaspretty，saidherheadachewasgone，butshewouldtakecareanothertimenottotakesostrongadose。Ilookedoutofthecornerofmyeyeatthemaliciouswidow，whosaidnothingbutseemeddeepinthought。
ThispieceofgoodluckdecidedmeonstayingatSoleuretillmylovewascrownedwithsuccess，andIdeterminedtotakeacountryhouse。
Ishallnothavemuchopinionofmyreadersiftheyfindthemselvesinmyposition——rich，young，independent，fulloffire，andhavingonlypleasuretoseekfor——anddonotfollowmyexample。AperfectbeautywasbeforemewithwhomIwasmadlyinlove，andwho，Iwassure，sharedthatlove。Ihadplentyofmoney，andIwasmyownmaster。Ithoughtthisamuchbetterplanthanturningmonk，andI
wasabovecaring"whatpeoplewouldsay。"Assoonastheambassadorhadreturned，whichhealwaysdidatanearlyhouronaccountofhisadvancedage，Ileftthecompanyandwenttoseehiminhisprivateroom。IntruthIfeltImustgivehimthatconfidencewhichhehadsowelldeserved。
Assoonashesawmehesaid，——
"Well，well，didyouprofitbytheinterviewIgotyou？"
Iembracedhim，andsaid，——
"Imayhopeforeverything。"
WhenIwastellinghimaboutthehelleborehewaslavishinhiscomplimentsonmypresenceofmind，for，ashesaid，suchanunusualcolourwouldhavemadepeoplethinktherehadbeensomekindofacombat——asuppositionwhichwouldnothavetendedtowardsmysuccess。
AfterIhadtoldhimall，Iimpartedmyplan。
"Ishalldonothinginahurry，"saidI，"asIhavetotakecarethatthelady’shonourdoesnotsuffer，andItrusttotimetoseetheaccomplishmentofmywishes。Ishallwantaprettycountryhouse，agoodcarriage，twolackeys，agoodcook，andahousekeeper。AllthatIleavetoyourexcellency，asIlookuponyouasmyrefugeandguardianangel。"
"To—morrow，withoutfail，IwillseewhatIcando，andIhavegoodhopesofdoingyouaconsiderableserviceandofrenderingyouwellcontentwiththeattractionsofSoleure。"
Nextdayourrehearsalwentoffadmirably，andthedayaftertheambassadorspoketomeasfollows:
"SofarasIcansee，whatyouareaimingatinthisintrigueisthesatisfyingofyourdesireswithoutdoinganyharmtothelady’sreputation。IthinkIknowthenatureofyourloveforherwellenoughtosaythatifshetoldyouthatyourleavingSoleurewasnecessarytoherpeaceofmindyouwouldleaveheratonce。YouseethatIhavesoundedyouwellenoughtobeacompetentadviserinthisdelicateandimportantaffair，towhichthemostfamouseventsintheannalsofdiplomacyarenottobecompared。"
"Yourexcellencydoesnotdosufficientjusticetoacareerwhichhasgainedyousuchdistinction。"
"That’sbecauseIamanoldman，mydearfellow，andhaveshakenofftherustanddustofprejudices，andamabletoseethingsastheyreallyare，andappreciatethemattheirtruevalue。Butletusreturntoyourlove—affair。Ifyouwishtokeepitinthedark，youmustavoidwiththegreatestcareanyactionwhichmayawakensuspicioninthemindsofpeoplewhodonotbelievethatanythingisindifferent。ThemostmaliciousandcensoriouswillnotbeabletogetanythingbutthemerestchanceoutoftheinterviewIprocuredyoutoday，andtheaccidentofthesneezingbout，defythemostill—
naturedtodrawanydeductions；foraneagerloverdoesnotbeginhissuitbysendingthebelovedoneintoconvulsions。Nobodycanguessthatyourhelleborewasusedtoconcealtheblushthatyourcaressesoccasioned，sinceitdoesnotoftenhappenthatanamorouscombatleavessuchtraces；andhowcanyoubeexpectedtohaveforeseenthelady’sblushes，andtohaveprovidedyourselfwithaspecificagainstthem？Inshort，theeventsofto—daywillnotdiscloseyoursecret。
M。————who，althoughhewishestopassforamandevoidofjealousy，isalittlejealous；M。————himselfcannothaveseenanythingoutofthecommoninmyaskinghimtoreturnwithme，asIhadbusinessofimportancewithhim，andhehascertainlynoreasonsforsupposingthatIshouldbelikelytohelpyoutointriguewithhiswife。
Furthermore，thelawsofpolitenesswouldhaveforbiddenme，underanycircumstances，offeringtheladytheplaceIofferedhim，andasheprideshimselfonhispolitenesshecanraisenopossibleobjectiontothearrangementwhichwasmade。TobesureIamoldandyouareyoung——adistinctionnotunimportantinahusband’seyes。
"Afterthisexordium，"addedthegood—naturedambassador，withalaugh，"anexordiumwhichIhavedeliveredintheofficialstyleofasecretaryofstate，letusseewhereweare。Twothingsarenecessaryforyoutoobtainyourwished—forbliss。Thefirstthing，whichconcernsyoumoreparticularly，istomakeM。————yourfriend，andtoconcealfromhimthatyouhaveconceivedapassionforhiswife，andhereIwillaidyoutothebestofmyability。Thesecondpointconcernsthelady’shonour；allyourrelationswithhermustappearopenandabove—board。Consideryourselfundermyprotection；
youmustnoteventakeacountryhousebeforewehavefoundoutsomeplanforthrowingdustintotheeyesoftheobservant。However，youneednotbeanxious；Ihavehituponaplan。
"Youmustpretendtobetakenill，butyourillnessmustbeofsuchakindthatyourdoctorwillbeobligedtotakeyourwordforthesymptoms。Luckily，Iknowadoctorwhosesoleideaistoordercountryairforallcomplaints。Thisphysician，whoisaboutascleverashisbrethren，andkillsorcuresaswellasanyofthem，willcomeandfeelmypulseoneofthesedays。Youmusttakehisadvice，andforacoupleoflouishewillwriteyouaprescriptionwithcountryairasthechiefitem。Hewilltheninformeverybodythatyourcaseisserious，butthathewillanswerforyourcure。"
"Whatishisname？"
"DoctorHerrenschwand。"
"Whatishedoinghere？IknewhimatParis；hewasMadameduRumain’sdoctor。"
"Thatishisbrother。Nowfindoutsomepolitecomplaint，whichwilldoyoucreditwiththepublic。Itwillbeeasyenoughtofindahouse，andIwillgetyouanexcellentcooktomakeyourgruelandbeef—tea。"
Thechoiceofacomplaintcostmesomethought；Ihadtogiveitagooddealofattention。ThesameeveningImanagedtocommunicatemyplantoMadamewhoapprovedofit。Ibeggedhertothinkofsomewayofwritingtome，andshesaidshewould。
"Myhusband，"saidshe，"hasaveryhighopinionofyou。Hehastakennooffenceatourcominginthesamecarriage。Buttellme，wasitanaccidentordesignthatmadeM。deChavignitakemyhusbandandleaveustogether？"
"Itwastheresultofdesign，dearest。"Sheraisedherbeautifuleyesandbitherlips。"Areyousorryitwasso？"
"Alas！no。"
Inthreeorfourdays，onthedayonwhichweweregoingtoactL’Ecossaise，thedoctorcametodinewiththeambassadorandstayedtilltheeveningtoseetheplay。Atdesserthecomplimentedmeonmygoodhealth，onwhichItooktheopportunity，andtoldhimthatappearancesweredeceitful，andthatIshouldbegladtoconsulthimthenextday。Nodoubthewasdelightedtobedeceivedinhisestimateofmyhealth，andhesaidheshouldbegladifhecouldbeofanyservice。Hecalledonmeatthehouragreedupon，andItoldhimsuchsymptomsasmyfancydictated；amongstotherthings，thatI
wassubjecttocertainnocturnalirritationswhichmademeextremelyweak，especiallyinthereins。
"Quiteso，quiteso；it’satroublesomething，butwewillseewhatcanbedone。Myfirstremedy，whichyoumaypossiblynotcaremuchfor，isforyoutopasssixweeksinthecountry，whereyouwillnotseethoseobjectswhichimpressyourbrain，actingontheseventhpairofnerves，andcausingthatlumbardischargewhichnodoubtleavesyouinaverydepressedstate。"
"Yes，itcertainlydoes。"
"Quiteso，quiteso。Mynextremedyiscoldbathing。"
"Arethebathsfarfromhere？"
"Theyarewhereveryoulike。Iwillwriteyouaprescription，andthedruggistwillmakeitup。"
Ithankedhim，andafterhehadpouchedthedouble—louisIslippedpolitelyintohishand，hewentawayassuringmethatIshouldsoonexperienceanimprovementinmyhealth。BytheeveningthewholetownknewthatIwasillandhadtogointothecountry。M。deChavignisaidpleasantlyatdinnertothedoctor，thatheshouldhaveforbiddenmeallfemininevisitors；andmylamefriend，refiningontheidea，addedthatIshouldaboveallbedebarredaccesstocertainportraits，ofwhichIhadabox—full。Ilaughedapprovingly，andbeggedM。deChavigni，inthepresenceofthecompany，tohelpmetofindaprettyhouseandagoodcook，asIdidnotintendtotakemymealsalone。
Iwastiredofplayingawearisomepart，andhadleftoffgoingtoseemylamefriend，butshesoonreproachedmeformyinconstancy，tellingmethatIhadmadeatoolofher。"Iknowall，"saidthismaliciouswoman，"andIwillbeavenged。"
"Youcannotbeavengedfornothing，"saidI，"forIhaveneverdoneyouaninjury。However，ifyouintendtohavemeassassinated，I
shallapplyforpoliceprotection。"
"Wedon’tassassinatehere，"saidshe，savagely。"WearenotItalians。"
Iwasdelightedtoberelievedfromtheburdenofhersociety，andhenceforthMadamewasthesoleobjectofmythoughts。M。deChavigni，whoseemedtodelightinservingme，madeherhusbandbelievethatIwastheonlypersonwhocouldgettheDucdeChoiseultopardonacousinofhiswhowasintheguards，andhadhadthemisfortunetokillhismaninaduel。"This，"saidthekindlyoldgentleman，"isthebestwaypossibleofgainingthefriendshipofyourrival。Doyouthinkyoucanmanageit？"
"Iamnotpositiveofsuccess。"
"PerhapsIhavegonealittletoofar；butItoldhimthatbymeansofyouracquaintancewiththeDuchessedeGrammontyoucoulddoanythingwiththeminister。"
"Imustmakeyouatrueprophet；IwilldoallIcan。"
TheconsequencewasthatM。————informedmeofthefactsintheambassador’spresence，andbroughtmeallthepapersrelativetothecase。
IspentthenightinwritingtotheDuchessedeGrammont。Imademyletteraspatheticaspossible，withaviewtotouchingherheart，andthenherfather’s；andIthenwrotetotheworthyMadamed’Urfetellingherthatthewell—beingofthesublimeorderoftheRosyCrosswasconcernedinthepardonofaSwissofficer，whohadbeenobligedtoleavethekingdomonaccountofaduelinwhichtheorderwashighlyconcerned。
Inthemorning，afterrestingforanhour，Iwenttotheambassador，andshewedhimtheletterIhadwrittentotheduchess。Hethoughtitexcellentlyexpressed，andadvisedmetoskewittoM。————I
foundhimwithhisnight—capon；hewasextremelygratefulfortheinterestItookinamatterwhichwassoneartohisheart。Hetoldmethathiswifehadnotyetrisen，andaskedmetowaitandtakebreakfastwithher。Ishouldhavemuchlikedtoaccepttheinvitation，butIbeggedhimtomakemyexcusestohisladyformyabsence，onthepretencethatIhadtofinishmyletters，andhandthemtothecourierwhowasjustleaving。Ihopedinthiswaytoscatteranyjealousythatmightbehoveringinhisbrain，bytheslightimportanceIattachedtoameetingwithhiswife。
IwenttodinewithM。deChavigni，whothoughtmyconducthadbeenverypolitic，andsaidthathewascertainthathenceforthM。————
wouldbemybestfriend。HethenskewedmealetterfromVoltairethankinghimforplayingMontroseinhisEcossaise；andanotherfromtheMarquisdeChauvelin，whowasthenatDeliceswiththephilosopherofFerney。HepromisedtocomeandseehimafterhehadbeentoTurin，wherehehadbeenappointedambassador。
CHAPTERXV
MyCountryHouse——MadameDubois——MaliciousTrickPlayedonMebyMyLameEnemy——MyVexationTherewasareceptionandasupperattheCourt，astheystyledthehotelofM。deChavigni，orratheroftheambassadoroftheKingofFranceinSwitzerland。AsIcameinIsawmycharmersittingapartreadingaletter。Iaccostedher，apologizingfornothavingstayedtobreakfast，butshesaidIhaddonequiteright，addingthatifI
hadnotchosenacountryhouseshehopedIwouldtakeoneherhusbandwouldprobablymentiontomethatevening。Shecouldnotsayanymore，asshewascalledawaytoagameatquadrille。FormypartI
didnotplay，butwanderedfromonetabletoanother。
Atsuppereverybodytalkedtomeaboutmyhealth，andmyapproachingstayinthecountry。ThisgaveM。————anopportunitytomentionadelightfulhouseneartheAar；"but，"headded，"itisnottobeletforlessthansixmonths。"
"IfIlikeit，"Ireplied，"andamfreetoleaveitwhenIplease，I
willwillinglypaythesixmonths’rentinadvance。"
"Thereisafinehallinit。"
"Allthebetter；IwillgiveaballasevidenceofmygratitudetothepeopleofSoleureforthekindwelcomeIhavereceivedfromthem。"
"Wouldyouliketocomeandseeitto—morrow？"
"Withpleasure。"
"Verygood，thenIwillcallforyouateighto’clock，ifthathourwillsuityou。"
"Ishallexpectyou。"
WhenIgotbacktomylodgingIorderedatravellingcarriageandfour，andthenextmorning，beforeeighto’clock，IcalledforM。
whowasready，andseemedflatteredatmyanticipatinghim。
"Imademywifepromisetocomewithus；butsheisasluggard，whoprefersherbedtothefreshair。"
Inlessthananhourwereachedourjourney’send，andIfoundthehouseabeautifuloneandlargeenoughtolodgethewholecourtofaprinceoftheHolyRomanEmpire。Besidesthehall，whichIthoughtmagnificent，Inotedwithgreatpleasureaclosetarrangedasaboudoir，andcoveredwiththemostexquisitepictures。Afinegarden，fountains，baths，severalwell—furnishedrooms，agoodkitchen——inaword，everythingpleasedme，andIbeggedM。————toarrangeformetotakeupmyabodethereintwodays’time。
WhenwegotbacktoSoleure，MadametoldmehowpleasedshewasthatIlikedthehouse；andseizingtheopportunity，IsaidthatIhopedtheywouldoftendomethehonourofdiningwithme。Theypromisedtheywoulddoso。Idrewfrommypocketapacketcontainingahundredlouis，whichIgaveM。————topaytherent。Ithenembracedhim，andafterimprintingarespectfulkissonthehandofhisfairmateIwenttoM。deChavigni，whoapprovedofmyhavingtakenthehouseasitpleasedmylady，andaskedmeifitwastruethatIwasgoingtogiveaball。
"Yes，ifIseeanyprospectofitsbeingabrilliantone，andifI
haveyourapprobation。"
"Youneedhavenodoubtsonthatpoint，mydearfellow，andwhateveryoucan’tfindintheshopscometomefor。Come，Iseeyouaregoingtospendalittlemoney。Itisagoodplan，andovercomesmanydifficulties。Inthemeanwhileyoushallhavetwofootmen，anexcellentcook，ahousekeeper，andwhateverotherservantsyourequire。Theheadofmyhouseholdwillpaythem，andyoucansettlewithhimafterwards，heisatrustworthyman。Iwillcomenowandthenandtakeaspoonfulofsoupwithyou，andyoushallrewardmeforwhatservicesImayhavedoneyoubytellingmehowthingsaregettingon。Ihaveagreatesteemforyourcharmingfriend，herdiscretionisbeyondheryears，andthepledgesofloveyouwillobtainofherwilldoubtlessincreaseyourpassionandyouresteem。
IssheawarethatIknowall？"
"Sheknowsthatwearefirmfriends，andsheisgladofit，assheissurethatyouwillbediscreet。"
"Shemaycountonmydiscretion。Sheisreallyadeliciouswoman；I
shouldhavebeentemptedtoseducehermyselfthirtyyearsago。"
Adruggist，whomthedoctorhadrecommendedtome，setoutthesamedaytogetreadythebathswhichweretocuremeofmyimaginarycomplaint，andintwodaysIwentmyself，afterhavinggivenLeDucorderstobringmybaggageon。
Iwasextremelysurprised，onenteringtheapartmentIwastooccupy，toseeaprettyyoungwomanwhocameuptomeinamodestwaytokissmyhand。Istoppedherdoingso，andmyastonishedairmadeherblush。
"Doyoubelongtothehousehold？"Isaid。
"Theambassador’sstewardhasengagedmeasyourhousekeeper。"
"Pardonmysurprise。Takemetomyroom。"
Sheobeyed，andsittingdownonthecouchIbeggedhertositbesideme。
"Thatisanhonour，"saidshe，inthemostpoliteandmodestway，"Icannotallowmyself。Iamonlyyourservant。"
"Verygood，butwhenIamaloneIhopeyouwillconsenttotakeyourmealswithme，asIdon’tlikeeatingbymyself。"
"Iwilldoso，sir。"
"Whereisyourroom？"
"Thisistheonethestewardassignedtome，butyouhaveonlytospeakifyouwishmetosleepinanother。"
"Notatall；itwilldoverywell。"
Herroomwasjustbehindtherecessinwhichmybedstood。Iwentinwithherandwasastonishedtoseeagreatdisplayofdresses，andinanadjoiningclosetallthearrayofthetoilette，lineninabundance，andagoodstockofshoesandembroideredslippers。DumbwithsurpriseIlookedather，andwasthoroughlysatisfiedwithwhatIsaw。NeverthelessIdeterminedtosubjecthertoacloseexamination，asIthoughthermannerstoointerestingandherlinentooextensiveforhertobeamereservant。AllatonceIwasstruckwiththeideathatitmightbeatrickoftheambassador’s，forafinewoman，welleducated，andagedtwenty—fouroratthemosttwenty—fiveyears，seemedtomemorefittedtobemymistressthanmyhousekeeper。Ithereforeaskedherifsheknewtheambassador，andwhatwagesshewastoreceive。SherepliedthatsheonlyknewM。deChavignibysight，andthatthestewardhadpromisedhertwolouisamonthandhermealsinherownroom。
"Wheredoyoucomefrom？What’syourname？"
"IcomefromLyons；Iamawidow，andmynameisDubois。"
"Iamdelightedtohaveyouinmyservice。Ishallseeyouagain。"
Shethenleftme，andIcouldnothelpthinkingheraveryinterestingwoman，asherspeechwasasdignifiedasherappearance。
Iwentdowntothekitchenandfoundthecook，anhonest—lookingfellow，whotoldmehisnamewasRosier。IhadknownhisbrotherintheserviceoftheFrenchambassadoratVenice。Hetoldmethatsupperwouldbereadyatnineo’clock。
"Inevereatbymyself，"saidI。
"SoIhear，sir；andIwillservesupperaccordingly。"
"Whatareyourwages？"
"Fourlouisamonth。"
Ithenwenttoseetherestofmypeople。Ifoundtwosharp—lookingfootmen，andthefirstofthemtoldmehewouldseeIhadwhatwineI
wanted。ThenIinspectedmybath，whichseemedconvenient。Anapothecarywaspreparingcertainmattersformyimaginarycure。
Finally，Itookawalkroundmygarden，andbeforegoinginIwentintothegate—keeper’s，whereIfoundanumerousfamily，andsomegirlswhowerenottobedespised。IwasdelightedtoheareverybodyspeakFrench，andItalkedwiththemsometime。
WhenIgotbacktomyroom，IfoundLeDucoccupiedinunpackingmymails；andtellinghimtogivemylinentoMadameDubois，Iwentintoaprettycabinetadjoining，wheretherewasadeskandallmaterialsnecessaryforwriting。Thisclosethadonlyonewindowfacingnorth，butitcommandedaviewcapableofinspiringthefinestthoughts。I
wasamusingmyselfwiththecontemplationofthissublimeprospect，whenIheardaknockatmydoor。Itwasmyprettyhousekeeper，whoworeamodestandpleasantexpression，anddidnotintheleastresembleapersonwhobearsacomplaint。
"WhatcanIdoforyou，madam？"
"Ihopeyouwillbegoodenoughtoorderyourmantobepolitetome？"
"Certainly；howhashefailedinpoliteness？"
"Hemightpossiblytellyouinnorespect。Hewantedtokissme，andasIrefusedhethoughthimselfjustifiedinbeingratherinsolent。"
"How？"
"Bylaughingatme。Youwillpardonme，sir，butIdonotlikepeoplewhomakegame。"
"Youareright；theyaresuretobeeithersillyormalicious。Makeyourselfeasy；LeDucshallunderstandthatyouaretobetreatedwithrespect。Youwillpleasesupwithme。"
LeDuccameinsoonafter，andItoldhimtobehaverespectfullytowardsMadameDubois。
"She’saslycat，"saidtherascal；"shewouldn’tletmekissher。"
"Iamafraidyouareabadfellow。"
"Issheyourservantoryourmistress？"
"Shemightbemywife。"
"Oh！well，that’sdifferent。Thatwilldo；MadameDuboisshallhaveallrespect，andIwilltrymylucksomewhereelse。"
Ihadadelicioussupper。Iwascontentedwithmycook，mybutler，myhousekeeper，andevenwithmySpaniard，whowaitedcapitallyattable。
AftersupperIsentoutLeDucandtheotherservant，andassoonasIwasalonewithmytoolovelyhousekeeper，whohadbehavedattablelikeawomanoftheworld，Ibeggedhertotellmeherhistory。
"Myhistory，sir，isshortenough，andnotveryinteresting。Iwas——
bornatLyons，andmyrelationstookmetoLausanne，asIhavebeentold，forIwastooyoungatthetimetorememberanythingaboutit。
Myfather，whowasintheserviceofMadamed’Ermance，leftmeanorphanwhenIwasfourteen。Madamed’Ermancewasfondofme，andknowingthatmymother’smeansweresmallshetookmetolivewithher。IhadattainedmyseventeenthyearwhenIenteredtheserviceofLadyMontaguaslady’smaid，andsometimeafterIwasmarriedtoDubois，anoldservantofthehouse。WewenttoEngland，andthreeyearsaftermymarriageIlostmyhusband。TheclimateofEnglandaffectedmylungs，andIwasobligedtobegmyladytoallowmetoleaveherservice。TheworthyladysawhowweakIwas，andpaidtheexpensesofmyjourneyandloadedmewithrichpresents。IreturnedtomymotheratLausanne，wheremyhealthsoonreturned，andIwentintotheserviceofanEnglishladywhowasveryfondofme，andwouldhavetakenmewithhertoItalyifshehadnotconceivedsomesuspicionsabouttheyoungDukeofRosebury，withwhomshewasinlove，andwhomshethoughtinlovewithme。Shesuspectedme，butwrongfully，ofbeingherrivalinsecret。Shesentmeaway，aftergivingmerichpresents，andsayinghowsorryshewasshecouldnotkeepme。Iwentbacktomymother，andfortwoyearsIhavelivedwiththetoilofmyhands。FourdaysagoM。Lebel，theambassador’ssteward，askedmeifIwouldentertheserviceofanItaliangentlemanashousekeeper。Iagreed，inthehopeofseeingItaly，andthishopeisthecauseofmystupidity。Inshort:hereIam。"
"Whatstupidityareyoureferringto？"
"ThestupidityofhavingenteredyourservicebeforeIknewyou。"
"Ilikeyourfreedom。Youwouldnothavecome，then，ifyouhadnotknownme？"
"Certainlynot，fornoladywillevertakemeafterhavingbeenwithyou。"
"Whynot？mayIask。"
"Well，sir；doyouthinkyouarethekindofmantohaveahouse—
keeperlikemyselfwithoutthepublicbelievingmysituationtobeofquiteadifferentnature？"
"No，youaretoopretty，andIdon’tlooklikeafossil，certainly；
butafterall，whatmatterdoesitmake？"
"Itisallverywellforyoutomakelightofit，andifIwereinyourplaceIwoulddothesame；buthowamI，whoamawomanandnotinanindependentposition，tosetmyselfabovetherulesandregulationsofsociety？"
"Youmean，MadameDubois，thatyouwouldverymuchliketogobacktoLausanne？"
"Notexactly，asthatwouldnotbejusttoyou。"
"Howso？"
"Peoplewouldbesuretosaythateitheryourwordsoryourdeedsweretoofree，andyoumightpossiblypassaratheruncharitablejudgmentonme。"
"WhatjudgmentcouldIpassonyou？"
"YoumightthinkIwantedtoimposeonyou。"
"Thatmightbe，asIshouldbeverymuchhurtbysosuddenanduncalled—foradeparture。AllthesameIamsorryforyou，aswithyourideasyoucanneithergonorstaywithanysatisfaction。
Nevertheless，youmustdooneortheother。"
"Ihavemadeupmymind。Ishallstay，andIamalmostcertainI
shallnotregretit。"
"Iamgladtohearthat，butthereisonepointtowhichIwishtocallyourattention。"
"Whatisthat？"
"Iwilltellyou。Letushavenomelancholyandnoscruples。"
"Youshallnotseememelancholy，Ipromiseyou；butkindlyexplainwhatyoumeanbytheword’scruples。’"
"Certainly。Initsordinaryacceptation，theword’scruple’
signifiesamaliciousandsuperstitiouswhim，whichpronouncesanactionwhichmaybeinnocenttobeguilty。"
"Whenacourseofactionseemsdoubtfultome，Ineverlookupontheworstsideofit。Besides，itismydutytolookaftermyselfandnototherpeople。"
"Iseeyouhavereadagooddeal。"
"Readingismygreatestluxury。WithoutbooksIshouldfindlifeunbearable。"
"Haveyouanybooks？"
"Agoodmany。DoyouunderstandEnglish？"
"Notaword。"
"Iamsorryforthat，astheEnglishbookswouldamuseyou。"
"Idonotcareforromances。"
"NordoI。Butyoudon’tthinkthatthereareonlyromancesinEnglish，doyou？Ilikethat。Whydoyoutakemeforsuchaloveroftheromantic，pray？"
"Ilikethat，too。Thatprettyoutburstisquitetomytaste，andI
amdelightedtobethefirsttomakeyoulaugh。"
"PardonmeifIlaugh，but……"
"Butmenobuts，mydear；laughawayjustasyoulike，youwillfindthatthebestwaytogetoverme。Ireallythink，though，thatyouputyourservicesattoocheaparate。"
"Thatmakesmelaughagain，asitisforyoutoincreasemywagesifyoulike。"
"Ishalltakecarethatitisdone。"
Irosefromtable，nottaken，butsurprised，withthisyoungwoman，whoseemedtobegettingonmyblindside。Shereasonedwell，andinthisfirstinterviewshehadmadeadeepimpressiononme。Shewasyoung，pretty，elegant，intellectual，andofdistinguishedmanners；I
couldnotguesswhatwouldbetheendofourconnection。IlongedtospeaktoM。Lebel，tothankhimforgettingmesuchamarvel，andstillmore，toaskhimsomequestionsabouther。
Afterthesupperhadbeentakenaway，shecametoaskifIwouldhavemyhairputincurlpapers。
"It’sLeDuc’sbusiness，"Ianswered，"butifyoulike，itshallbeyoursforthefuture。"
Sheacquittedherselflikeanexpert。
"Isee，"saidI，"thatyouaregoingtoservemeasyouservedLadyMontagu。"
"Notaltogether；butasyoudonotlikemelancholy，allowmetoaskafavour。"
"Doso，mydear。"
"Pleasedonotaskmetogiveyouyourbath。"
"Uponmyhonour，Ididnotthinkofdoingso。Itwouldbescandalous。That’sLeDuc’sbusiness。"
"Pardonme，andallowmetoaskanotherfavour。"
"Tellmeeverythingyouwant。"
"Allowmetohaveoneofthedoor—keeper’sdaughterstosleepwithme。"
"Ifithadcomeintomyhead，Iwouldhaveproposedittoyou。Issheinyourroomnow？"
"No。"
"Goandcallher，then。"
"Letusleavethattillto—morrow，asifIwentatthistimeofnightitmightmakepeopletalk。"
"Iseeyouhaveastoreofdiscretion，andyoumaybesureIwillnotdepriveyouofanyofit。"
Shehelpedmetoundress，andmusthavefoundmeverymodest，butI
mustsayitwasnotfromvirtue。Myheartwasengagedelsewhere，andMadameDuboishadimpressedme；Iwaspossiblydupedbyher，butI
didnottroublemyselftothinkwhetherIwasornot。IrangforLeDucinthemorning，andoncominginhesaidhehadnotexpectedthehonour。
"You’rearascal，"Isaid，"gettwocupsofchocolatereadydirectlyafterIhavehadmybath。"
AfterIhadtakenmyfirstcoldbath，whichIgreatlyenjoyed，Iwenttobedagain。MadameDuboiscameinsmiling，dressedinastyleofcarelesselegance。
"Youlookingoodspirits。"
"Iam，becauseIamhappywithyou。Ihavehadagoodnight，andthereisnowinmyroomagirlaslovelyasanangel，whoistosleepwithme。"
"Callherin。"
Shecalledher，andamonsterofuglinessentered，whomademeturnmyheadaway。
"Youhaven’tgivenyourselfarivalcertainly，mydear，butifshesuitsyouitisallright。Youshallhaveyourbreakfastwithme，andIhopeyouwilltakechocolatewithmeeverymorning。"
"Ishallbedelighted，asIamveryfondofit。"
Ihadapleasantafternoon。M。deChavignispentseveralhourswithme。Hewaspleasedwitheverything，andaboveallwithmyfairhousekeeper，ofwhomLebelhadsaidnothingtohim。
"ShewillbeanexcellentcureforyourloveforMadame，"saidhe。
"Thereyouarewrong，"Ianswered，"shemightmakemefallinlovewithherwithoutanydiminutionofmyaffectionformycharmer。"
Nextday，justasIwassittingdowntotablewithmyhousekeeper，I
sawacarriagecomingintothecourtyard，andmydetestablelamewidowgettingoutofit。Iwasterriblyputout，buttherulesofpolitenesscompelledmetogoandreceiveher。
"Iwasfarfromanticipatingthatyouwoulddomesogreatanhonour，madam。"
"Idaresay；Ihavecometodinewithyou，andtoaskyoutodomeafavour。"
"Comein，then，dinnerisjustbeingserved。IbegtointroduceMadameDuboistoyou。"
Iturnedtowardsmycharminghousekeeper，andtoldherthattheladywoulddinewithus。
MadameDubois，inthecharacterofmistressofthehouse，didthehonoursadmirably，andmylamefriend，inspiteofherpride，wasverypolitetoher。Ididnotspeakadozenwordsduringthemeal，andpaidnosortofattentiontothedetestablecreature；butIwasanxioustoknowwhatshecouldwantmetodoforher。AssoonasMadameDuboishadlefttheroomshetoldmestraightoutthatshehadcometoaskmetoletherhaveacoupleofroomsinmyhouseforthreeweeksoramonthatthemost。
Iwasastonishedatsuchapieceofimpudence，andtoldhersheaskedmorethanIwasatlibertytogive。
"Youcan’trefuseme，aseverybodyknowsIhavecomeonpurposetoaskyou。"
"TheneverybodymustknowthatIhaverefusedyou。Iwanttobealone——absolutelyalone，withoutanykindofrestrictiononmyliberty。Theleastsuspicionofcompanywouldboreme。"
"Ishallnotboreyouinanyway，andyouwillbeatperfectlibertytoignoremypresence。Ishallnotbeoffendedifyoudon’tenquireafterme，andIshallnotaskafteryou——evenifyouareill。I
shallhavemymealsservedtomebymyownservant，andIshalltakecarenottowalkinthegardenunlessIamperfectlycertainyouarenotthere。Youmustallowthatifyouhaveanyclaimstopolitenessyoucannotrefuseme。"
"Ifyouwereacquaintedwiththemostordinaryrulesofpoliteness，madam，youwouldnotpersistinarequesttowhichIhaveformallydeclinedtoaccede。"
Shedidnotanswer，butmywordshadevidentlyproducednoeffect。
Iwaschokingwithrage。Istrodeupanddowntheroom，andfeltinclinedtosendherawaybyforceasamadwoman。However，I
reflectedthatshehadrelationsinagoodpositionwhomImightoffendifItreatedherroughly，andthatImightmakeanenemycapableofexactingaterriblerevenge；and，finally，thatMadamemightdisapproveofmyusingviolencetothishideousharpy……
"Well，madam，"saidI，"youshallhavetheapartmentyouhavesolicitedwithsomuchimportunity，andanhourafteryoucomeinI
shallbeonmywaybacktoSoleure。"
"Iaccepttheapartment，andIshalloccupyitthedayafterto—
morrow。AsforyourthreatofreturningtoSoleure，itisanidleone，asyouwouldtherebymakeyourselfthelaughing—stockofthewholetown。"
Withthisfinalimpertinencesheroseandwentaway，withouttakinganyfurthernoticeofme。Ilethergowithoutmovingfrommyseat。
Iwasstupefied。Irepentedofhavinggivenin；suchimpudencewasunparalleled。Icalledmyselfafool，andvowedIdeservedtobepubliclyhooted。Ioughttohavetakenthewholethingasajest；tohavecontrivedtogetheroutofthehouseonsomepretext，andthentohavesentheraboutherbusinessasamadwoman，callingallmyservantsaswitnesses。
MydearDuboiscamein，andItoldmytale。Shewasthunderstruck。
"Icanhardlycreditherrequesting，oryourgranting，suchathing，"
saidshe，"unlessyouhavesomemotivesofyourown。"
Isawtheforceofherargument，andnotwishingtomakeaconfidanteofherIheldmytongue，andwentouttoworkoffmybile。
Icameintired，aftertakingastiffwalk。ItooksupperwithMadameDubois，andwesatattabletillmidnight。Herconversationpleasedmemoreandmore；hermindwaswell—furnished，herspeechelegant，andshetoldherstoriesandcrackedherjokeswithcharminggrace。Shewasdevoidofprejudices，butbynomeansdevoidofprinciple。Herdiscretionwasrathertheresultofsystemthanofvirtue；butifshehadnotavirtuousspirit，hersystemwouldnothaveshieldedherfromthestormsofpassionortheseductionsofvice。
MyencounterwiththeimpudentwidowhadsoaffectedmethatIcouldnotresistgoingatanearlyhouronthefollowingdaytocommunicateittoM。deChavigni。IwarnedMadameDuboisthatifIwerenotbackbydinner—timeshewasnottowaitforme。
M。deChavignihadbeentoldbymyenemythatshewasgoingtopaymeavisit，butheroaredwithlaughteronhearingthestepsshehadtakentogainherends。
"Yourexcellencymayfinditveryfunny，"saidI，"butIdon’t。"
"SoIsee；buttakemyadvice，andbethefirsttolaughattheadventure。Behaveasifyouwereunawareofherpresence，andthatwillbeasufficientpunishmentforher。Peoplewillsoonsaysheissmittenwithyou，andthatyoudisdainherlove。GoandtellthestorytoM。————，andstaywithoutceremonytodinner。IhavespokentoLebelaboutyourprettyhousekeeper:theworthymanhadnomaliciousintentinsendinghertoyou。HehappenedtobegoingtoLausanne，andjustbefore，Ihadtoldhimtofindyouagoodhousekeeper；thinkingitoveronhisway，herememberedhisfriendMadameDubois，andthematterwasthusarrangedwithoutmaliceorpretense。Sheisaregularfind，aperfectjewelforyou，andifyougettakenwithherIdon’tthinkshewillallowyoutolanguishforlong。"
"Idon’tknow，sheseemstobeawomanofprinciple。"
"Ishouldn’thavethoughtyouwouldbetakeninbythatsortofthing。Iwillaskyoubothtogivemeadinnerto—morrow，andshallbegladtohearherchatter。"
M————welcomedmemostkindly，andcongratulatedmeonmyconquest，whichwouldmakemycountryhouseaparadise。Ijoinedinthejest，ofcourse，withthemoreeasethathischarmingwife，thoughIcouldseethatshesuspectedthetruth，addedhercongratulationstothoseofherhusband；butIsoonchangedthecourseoftheirfriendlymirthbytellingthemthecircumstancesofthecase。Theywereindignantenoughthen，andthehusbandsaidthatifshehadreallyquarteredherselfonmeinthatfashion，allIhadtodowastogetaninjunctionfromthecourtsforbiddinghertoputherfootwithinmydoors。
"Idon’twanttodothat，"saidI，"asbesidespubliclydisgracingherIshouldbeskewingmyownweakness，andproclaimingthatIwasnotthemasterinmyownhouse，andthatIcouldnotpreventherestablishingherselfwithme。"
"Ithinkso，too，"saidthewife，"andIamgladyougavewaytoher。
Thatshewshowpoliteyouare，andIshallgoandcallonhertocongratulateheronthewelcomeshegot，asshetoldmethatherplanshadsucceeded。"
Herethematterended，andIacceptedtheirinvitationtodinewiththem。Ibehavedasafriend，butwiththatsubtlepolitenesswhichtakesawayallgroundforsuspicion；accordingly，thehusbandfeltnoalarm。MycharmerfoundtheopportunitytotellmethatIhaddonewiselyinyieldingtotheill—timeddemandofthatharpy，andthatassoonasM。deChauvelin，whomtheywereexpecting，hadgoneawayagain，Icouldaskherhusbandtospendafewdayswithme，andthatshewoulddoubtlesscometoo。
"Yourdoor—keeper’swife，"sheadded，"wasmynurse。Ihavebeenkindtoher，andwhennecessaryIcanwritetoyoubyherwithoutrunninganyrisk。"
AftercallingontwoItalianJesuitswhowerepassingthroughSoleure，andinvitingthemtodinewithmeonthefollowingday，I
returnedhomewherethegoodDuboisamusedmetillmidnightbyphilosophicaldiscussions。SheadmiredLocke；andmaintainedthatthefacultyofthoughtwasnotaproofoftheexistenceofspiritinus，asitwasinthepowerofGodtoendowmatterwiththecapacityforthought；Iwasunabletocontrovertthisposition。Shemademelaughbysayingthattherewasagreatdifferencebetweenthinkingandreasoning，andIhadthecouragetosay，——
"Ithinkyouwouldreasonwellifyouletyourselfbepersuadedtosleepwithme，andyouthinkyoureasonwellinrefusingtobesopersuaded。"
"Trustme，sir，"saidshe；"thereisasmuchdifferencebetweenthereasoningpowersofmenandwomenasthereisbetweentheirphysicalcharacteristics。"
Nextmorningatnineo’clockweweretakingourchocolate，whenmyenemyarrived。Iheardhercarriage，butIdidnottaketheslightestnotice。Thevillainouswomansentawaythecarriageandinstalledherselfinherroomwithhermaid。
IhadsentLeDuctoSoleureformyletters，soIwasobligedtobegmyhousekeepertodomyhair；andshediditadmirably，asItoldherweshouldhavetheambassadorandthetwoJesuitstodinner。I
thankedher，andkissedherforthefirsttimeonthecheek，asshewouldnotallowmetotouchherbeautifullips。Ifeltthatwewerefastfallinginlovewithoneanother，butwecontinuedtokeepourselvesundercontrol，ataskwhichwasmucheasierforherthanforme，asshewashelpedbythatspiritofcoquetrynaturaltothefairsex，whichoftenhasgreaterpoweroverthemthanloveitself。
M。deChavignicameattwo；IhadconsultedhimbeforeaskingtheJesuits，andhadsentmycarriageforthem。Whilewewerewaitingforthesegentlemenwetookaturninthegarden，andM。deChavignibeggedmyfairhousekeepertojoinusassoonasshehaddischargedcertainpettydutiesinwhichshewasthenengaged。
M。deChavigniwasoneofthosemenwhoweresentbyFrancetosuchpowersasshewishedtocajoleandtowinovertoherinterests。
M。del’Hopital，whoknewhowtogaintheheartofElizabethPetrovna，wasanother；theDucdeNivernois，whodidwhathelikedwiththeCourtofSt。James’sin1762，isathirdinstance。
MadameDuboiscameouttousinduecourse，andentertainedusveryagreeably；andM。deChavignitoldmethatheconsideredshehadallthequalitieswhichwouldmakeamanhappy。AtdinnersheenchantedhimandcaptivatedthetwoJesuitsbyherdelicateandsubtlewit。
Intheeveningthisdelightfuloldnoblemantoldmehehadspentamostpleasantday，andafteraskingmetodineathishousewhileM。
deChauvelinwasthere，heleftmewithaneffusiveembrace。
M。deChauvelin，whomIhadthehonourtoknowatVersailles，atM。
deChoiseul’s，wasanextremelypleasantman。HearrivedatSoleureinthecourseoftwodays，andM。deChavignihavingadvisedmeofhispresenceIhastenedtopaymycourttohim。Herememberedme，andintroducedmetohiswife，whomIhadnotthehonourofknowing。
Aschanceplacedmenexttomycharmerattable，myspiritsrose，andmynumerousjestsandstoriesputeverybodyinagoodtemper。OnM。
deChauvelinremarkingthatheknewsomepleasanthistoriesofwhichIwasthehero，M。deChavignitoldhimthathedidnotknowthebestofall，andrecountedtohimmyadventureatZurich。M。deChauvelinthentoldMadamethattoserveherhewouldwillinglytransformhimselfintoafootman，onwhichM。————joinedinandsaidthatI
hadafinertasteforbeauty，asshe，forwhosesakeIhadmademyselfintoawaiter，wasatthatmomentaguestofmineinmycountryhouse。
"Ah，indeed！"saidM。deChauvelin，"thenwemustcomeandseeyourquarters，M。Casanova。"
Iwasgoingtoreply，whenM。deChavignianticipatedmebysaying，"Yes，indeed！andIhopehewilllendmehisbeautifulhalltogiveyouaballnextSunday。"
Inthismannerthegood—naturedcourtierpreventedmefrompromisingtogiveaballmyself，andrelievedmeofmyfoolishboast，whichI
shouldhavebeenwrongincarryingout，asitwouldhavebeenanencroachmentonhisprivilegeasambassadorofentertainingthesedistinguishedstrangersduringthefiveorsixdaystheymightstayatSoleure。Besides，ifIhadkepttomyword，itwouldhaveinvolvedmeinaconsiderableexpense，whichwouldnothavehelpedmeinmysuit。
TheconversationturningonVoltaire，theEcossaisewasmentioned，andtheactingofmyneighbourwashighlycommendedinwordsthatmadeherblushandshineinherbeautylikeastar，whereatherpraiseswererenewed。
Afterdinnertheambassadorinvitedustohisballonthedayafterthemorrow，andIwenthomemoredeeplyinlovethaneverwithmydearcharmer，whomHeavenhaddesignedtoinflictonmethegreatestgriefIhavehadinmylife，asthereadershallsee。
Ifoundthatmyhousekeeperhadgonetobed，andIwasgladofit，forthepresenceofmyfaironehadexcitedmypassionstosuchanextentthatmyreasonmighthavefailedtokeepmewithintheboundsofrespect。Nextmorningshefoundmesad，andralliedmeinsuchawaythatIsoonrecoveredmyspirits。Whileweweretakingourchocolatethelamecreature’smaidbroughtmeanote，andIsentheraway，tellingherthatIwouldsendtheanswerbymyownservant。
Thiscuriousletterranasfollows:
"TheambassadorhasaskedmetohisballonSunday。IansweredthatIwasnotwell，butifIfoundmyselfbetterintheeveningIwouldcome。IthinkthatasIamstayinginyourhouseIoughttobeintroducedbyyouorstayawayaltogether。Soifyoudonotwishtoobligemebytakingme，ImustbegofyoutotelltheambassadorthatIamill。PardonmeifIhavetakenthelibertyofinfringingouragreementinthispeculiarinstance，butitisaquestionofkeepingupsomesortofappearanceinpublic。"
"Notso，"Icried，madwithrage；andtakingmypenIwrotethus:
"Ithinkyourideaisabeautifulone，madam。Youwillhavetobeill，asImeantokeeptotheconditionsyoumadeyourself，andtoenjoyfulllibertyinallthings，andIshallthereforedenymyselfthehonouroftakingyoutotheballwhichtheambassadoristogiveinmyhall。"
Ireadherinsolentletterandmyreplytomyhousekeeper，whothoughttheanswerjustwhatshedeserved。Ithensentittoher。
Ipassedthenexttwodaysquietlyandagreeablywithoutgoingoutorseeinganyvisitors，butthesocietyofMadameDuboiswasall—
sufficientforme。EarlyonSundaymorningtheambassador’speoplecametomakethenecessarypreparationsfortheballandsupper。
LebelcametopaymehisrespectswhileIwasattable。Imadehimsitdown，whileIthankedhimforprocuringmeahousekeeperwhowasallperfection。
Lebelwasafineman，middle—aged，witty，andanexcellentsteward，thoughperfectlyhonest。
"Whichofyoutwo，"saidhetome，"isthemosttakenin？"
"Weareequallypleasedwitheachother，"answeredmycharminghousekeeper。
TomygreatdelightthefirstpairtoappearwereM。————andMadame。
ShewasextremelypolitetoMadameDubois，anddidnotshewtheslightestastonishmentwhenIintroducedherasmyhousekeeper。ShetoldmethatImusttakehertoseeherlamefriend，andtomygreatdisgustIhadtogo。Wewerereceivedwithashowofgreatfriendship，andshewentoutwithusintothegarden，takingM。————’sarm，whilehiswifeleantamorouslyonmine。
Whenwehadmadeafewturnsofthegarden，Madamebeggedmetotakehertohernurse。Asherhusbandwascloseby，Isaid，——
"Whoisyournurse？"
"Yourdoor—keeper’swife，"saidherhusband，"wewillwaitforyouinthislady’sapartment。"
"Tellme，sweetheart，"saidsheontheway，"doesnotyourprettyhousekeepersleepwithyou？"
"Iswearshedoesnot；Icanonlyloveyou。"
"Iwouldliketobelieveyou，butIfindithardtodoso；however，ifyouarespeakingthetruthitiswrongofyoutokeepherinthehouse，asnobodywillbelieveinyourinnocence。"
"Itisenoughformethatyoubelieveinit。Iadmireher，andatanyothertimeIexpectwecouldnotsleepunderthesameroofwithoutsleepinginthesamebed；butnowthatyourulemyheartIamnotcapableofapassionforher。"
"Iamdelightedtohearit；butIthinksheisverypretty。"
Wewentintoseehernurse，whocalledher"mychild，"andkissedheragainandagain，andthenleftusalonetopreparesomelemonadeforus。Assoonaswefoundourselvesaloneourmouthsweregluedtogether，andmyhandstouchedathousandbeauties，coveredonlybyadressoflightsarcenet；butIcouldnotenjoyhercharmswithoutthiscruelrobe，whichwasalltheworsebecauseitdidnotconcealthelovelinessbeneathit。Iamsurethatthegoodnursewouldhavekeptuswaitingalongtimeifshehadknownhowwelongedtobeleftaloneforafewmomentslonger；but，alas！theceleritywithwhichshemadethosetwoglassesoflemonadewasunexampled。
"Itwasmadebeforehand，wasit？"saidI，whenIsawhercomingin。
"Notatall，sir；butIamaquickhand。"
"Youare，indeed。"
Thesewordsmademycharmergooffintoapealoflaughter，whichsheaccompaniedwithasignificantglanceinmydirection。Asweweregoingawayshesaidthatasthingsseemedtobeagainstuswemustwaittillherhusbandcametospendafewdayswithme。
Myterribleenemygaveussomesweets，whichshepraisedveryhighly，andaboveallsomequincemarmalade，whichsheinsistedonourtesting。Webeggedtobeexcused，andMadamepressedmyfootwithhers。WhenwehadgotawayshetoldmeIhadbeenverywisenottotouchanything，asthewidowwassuspectedofhavingpoisonedherhusband。
Theball，thesupper，therefreshments，andtheguestswereallofthemostexquisiteandagreeablekind。IonlydancedoneminuetwithMadamedeChauvelin，nearlyallmyeveningbeingtakenupwithtalkingtoherhusband。Imadehimapresentofmytranslationofhispoemonthesevendeadlysins，whichhereceivedwithmuchpleasure。
"Iintend，"saidI，"topayyouavisitatTurin。"
"Areyougoingtobringyourhousekeeperwithyou？"
"No。"
"Youarewrong，forsheisadelightfulperson。"
EverybodyspokeofmydearDuboisinthesameway。Shehadaperfectknowledgeoftherulesofgoodbreeding，andsheknewhowtomakeherselfrespectedwithoutbeingguiltyoftheslightestpresumption。
Invainshewasurgedtodance，andsheafterwardstoldmethatifshehadyieldedshewouldhavebecomeanobjectofhatredtoalltheladies。Sheknewthatshecoulddanceexquisitely。
M。deChauvelinwentawayintwodays，andtowardstheendoftheweekIheardfromMadamed’Urfe，whotoldmethatshehadspenttwodaysatVersaillesinfurtheranceofmydesires。ShesentmeacopyofthelettersofpardonsignedbythekinginfavouroftherelationofM。————，assuringmethattheoriginalhadbeensenttothecolonelofhisregiment，wherehewouldbereinstatedintherankwhichheheldbeforetheduel。
Ihadmyhorsesputintomycarriage，andhastenedtocarrythisgoodnewstoM。deChavigni。Iwaswildwithjoy，andIdidnotconcealitfromtheambassador，whocongratulatedme，sinceM。————havingobtainedbyme，withouttheexpenditureofapenny，afavourwhichwouldhavecosthimdearifhehadsucceededinpurchasingit，wouldhenceforthbeonlytoohappytotreatmewiththeutmostconfidence。
Tomakethematterstillmoreimportant，IbeggedmynoblefriendtoannouncethepardontoM。————inperson，andheimmediatelywroteanotetothatgentlemanrequestinghispresence。
Assoonashemadehisappearance，theambassadorhandedhimthecopyofthepardon，tellinghimthatheoweditalltome。Theworthymanwasinanecstasy，andaskedwhatheowedme。
"Nothing，sir，unlessyouwillgivemeyourfriendship，whichIvaluemorethanallthegoldintheworld；andifyouwouldgivemeaproofofyourfriendship，comeandspendafewdayswithme；Iampositivelydyingofloneliness。ThematterIhavedoneforyouisameretrifle；youseehowquicklyithasbeenarranged。"
"Ameretrifle！Ihavedevotedayear’slabourtoit；Ihavemovedheavenandearthwithoutsucceeding，andinafortnightyouhaveaccomplishedit。Sir，youmaydisposeofmylife。"
"Embraceme，andcomeandseeme。IamthehappiestofmenwhenIamenabledtoservepersonsofyourmerit。"
"Iwillgoandtellthegoodnewstomywife，whowillloveyouaswellasIdo。"
"Yes，doso，"saidtheambassador，"andbringhertodinnerhereto—
morrow。"
Whenwewerealonetogether，theMarquisdeChavigni，anoldcourtierandawit，begantomakesomeveryphilosophicalreflectionsonthe，stateofacourtwherenothingcanbesaidtobeeasyordifficultperse，astheoneatamoment’snoticemaybecometheother；acourtwherejusticeoftenpleadsinvain，whileinterestorevenimportunitygetareadyhearing。HehadknownMadamed’Urfe，hadevenpaidhiscourttoherattheperiodwhenshewassecretlybelovedbytheregent。HeitwaswhohadgivenherthenameofEgeria，becauseshesaidshehadageniuswhodirectedherandpassedthenightswithherwhenshesleptbyherself。TheambassadorthenspokeofM。————，whohadundoubtedlybecomeaverygreatfriendofmine。