"Theonlywaytoblindajealoushusband，"saidhe，"istomakehimyourfriend，forfriendshipwillrarelyadmitjealousy。"
　　Thenextdayatdinner，attheambassador’s，Madamegavemeathousandproofsofgratefulfriendship，whichmyheartinterpretedaspledgesoflove。Thehusbandandwifepromisedtopaymeathreedays’visitinthefollowingweekatmycountryhouse。
　　Theykepttheirwordwithoutgivingmeanyfurtherwarning，butIwasnottakenbysurpriseasIhadmadeallpreparationsfortheirreception。
　　Myheartleaptwithjoyonseeingmycharmergettingdownfromthecarriage，butmyjoywasnotunalloyed，asthehusbandtoldmethattheymustabsolutelyreturnonthefourthday，andthewifeinsistedonthehorriblewidowbeingpresentatallourconversation。
　　ItookmygueststothesuiteofroomsIhadpreparedforthem，andwhichIjudgedmostsuitableformydesigns。Itwasonthegroundfloor，oppositetomyroom。Thebedroomhadarecesswithtwobeds，separatedbyapartitionthroughwhichonepassedbyadoor。Ihadthekeytoallthedoors，andthemaidwouldsleepinaclosetbeyondtheante—chamber。
　　Inobediencetomydivinity’scommandswewentandcalledonthewidow，whogaveusacordialwelcome；butunderthepretextofleavingusinfreedomrefusedtobeofourcompanyduringthethreedays。However，shegaveinwhenItoldherthatouragreementwasonlyinforcewhenIwasalone。
　　MydearDubois，withherknowledgeoftherulesofsociety，didnotneedahinttohavehersupperinherroom，andwehadanexquisitemealasIhadgivenordersthatthefareshouldbeofthebest。
　　AftersupperItookmygueststotheirapartment，andfeltobligedtodothesamebythewidow。Shewantedmetoassistathertoilet，butIexcusedmyselfwithabow。Shesaid，maliciously，thatafterallthepainsIhadtakenIdeservedtobesuccessful。Igavehernoanswer。
　　Nextmorning，aswewerewalkinginthegarden，IwarnedmycharmerthatIhadallthekeysofthehouse，andthatIcouldintroducemyselfintoherroomatanymoment。
　　"Iamwaiting，"saidshe，"formyhusband’sembraces，whichhehasprefacedwithcaresses，asisusualwithhim。Wemustthereforewaittillthenightafternext，whichwilltakeawayallrisk，asIhaveneverknownhimtoembracemefortwonightsinsuccession。"
　　AboutnoonwehadavisitfromM。deChavigni，whocametoaskfordinner，andmadeagreatto—dowhenheheardthatmyhousekeeperdinedinherroom。Theladiessaidhewasquiteright，soweallwentandmadehersitdownattablewithus。Shemusthavebeenflattered，andtheincidentevidentlyincreasedhergoodhumour，assheamusedusbyherwitandherpiquantstoriesaboutLadyMontagu。
　　WhenwehadrisenfromtableMadamesaidtome，——
　　"Youreallymustbeinlovewiththatyoungwoman；sheisravishing。"
　　"IfIcouldpasstwohoursinyourcompanyto—night，IwouldprovetoyouthatIamyoursalone。"
　　"Itisstilloutofthequestion，asmyhusbandhasascertainedthatthemoonchangesto—day。"
　　"Hehastoaskleaveofthemoon，hashe，beforedischargingsosweetaduty？"
　　"Exactly。Accordingtohissystemofastrology，itistheonlywaytokeephishealthandtohavethesonthatHeavenwillstogranthim，andindeedwithoutaidfromaboveitishardlylikelythathiswisheswillbeaccomplished。"
　　"IhopetobetheinstrumentofHeaven，"saidI，laughing。
　　"Ionlyhopeyoumay。"
　　ThusIwasobligedtowait。Nextmorning，aswewerewalkinginthegarden，shesaidtome，——
　　"Thesacrificetothemoonhasbeenperformed，andtomakesureI
　　willcausehimtorenewhiscaressestonightassoonaswegotobed；
　　andafterthatheiscertaintosleepsoundly。Youcancomeatanhouraftermidnight；lovewillawaityou。"
　　Certainofmybliss，Igavemyselfuptothejoythatsuchacertaintykindlesinafieryheart。Itwastheonlynightremaining，asM。————haddecidedthatonthenextdaytheywouldreturntoSoleure。
　　AftersupperItooktheladiestotheirapartments，andonreturningtoldmyhousekeeperthatIhadagooddealofwritingtodo，andthatsheshouldgotobed。
　　Justbeforeoneo’clockIleftmyroom，andthenightbeingadarkoneIhadtofeelmywayhalfroundmyhouse，andtomysurprisefoundthedooropen；butIdidnotpayanyattentiontothiscircumstance。Iopenedthedoorofthesecondante—chamber，andthemomentIshutitagainahandseizedmine，whilstanotherclosedmylips。Ionlyheardawhispered"hush！"whichbademesilent。Asofawasathand；wemadeitouraltarofsacrifice，andinamomentIwaswithinthetempleoflove。ItwassummertimeandIhadonlytwohoursbeforeme，soIdidnotloseamoment，andthinkingIheldbetweenmyarmsthewomanIhadsolongsighedforIrenewedagainandagainthepledgesofmyardentlove。InthefulnessofmyblissIthoughthernotawaitingmeinherbedanadmirableidea，asthenoiseofourkissesandthelivelinessofourmotionsmighthaveawakenedthetroublesomehusband。Hertenderecstasiesequalledmine，andincreasedmyblissbymakingmebelieve（oh，fatalerror！）
　　thatofallmyconqueststhiswastheoneofwhichIhadmostreasontoboast。
　　Tomygreatgrieftheclockwarnedmethatitwastimeformetobegone。Icoveredherwiththetenderestkisses，andreturningtomyroom，inthegreatestgladness，Iresignedmyselftosleep。
　　Iwasrousedatnineo’clockbyM。————，whoseemedinahappyframeofmind，andshewedmealetterhehadjustreceived，inwhichhisrelativethankedmeforrestoringhimtohisregiment。Inthisletter，whichwasdictatedbygratitude，hespokeofmeasifIhadbeenadivinity。
　　"Iamdelighted，"Isaid，"tohavebeenofservicetoyou。"
　　"AndI，"saidhe，"amequallypleasedtoassureyouofmygratitude。
　　Comeandbreakfastwithus，mywifeisstillathertoilette。Comealong。"
　　Irosehastily，andjustasIwasleavingtheroomIsawthedreadfulwidow，whoseemedfullofglee，andsaid，——
　　"Ithankyou，sir；Ithankyouwithallmyheart。Ibegtoleaveyouatlibertyagain；IamgoingbacktoSoleure。"
　　"Waitforaquarterofanhour，wearegoingtobreakfastwithMadame。"
　　"Ican’tstopamoment，Ihavejustwishedhergoodday，andnowI
　　mustbegone。Farewell，andrememberme。"
　　"Farewell，madam。"
　　ShehadhardlygonebeforeM。————askedmeifthewomanwasbesideherself。
　　"Onemightthinkso，certainly，"Ireplied，"forshehasreceivednothingbutpolitenessatmyhands，andIthinkshemighthavewaitedtogobackwithyouintheevening。"
　　Wewenttobreakfastandtodiscussthisabruptleave—taking，andafterwardswetookaturninthegardenwherewefoundMadameDubois。
　　M。————tookpossessionofher；andasIthoughthiswifelookingratherdowncastIaskedherifshehadnotsleptwell。
　　"Ididnotgotosleeptillfouro’clockthismorning，"shereplied，"aftervainlysittingupinbedwaitingforyoutillthattime。Whatunforeseenaccidentpreventedyourcoming？"
　　Icouldnotanswerherquestion。Iwaspetrified。Ilookedatherfixedlywithoutreplying；Icouldnotshakeoffmyastonishment。AtlastadreadfulsuspicioncameintomyheadthatIhadheldwithinmyarmsfortwohoursthehorriblemonsterwhomIhadfoolishlyreceivedinmyhouse。Iwasseizedwithaterribletremor，whichobligedmetogoandtakeshelterbehindthearbourandhidemyemotion。IfeltasthoughIshouldswoonaway。IshouldcertainlyhavefallenifI
　　hadnotrestedmyheadagainstatree。
　　Myfirstideahadbeenafearfulthought，whichIhastenedtorepel，thatMadame，havingenjoyedme，wishedtodenyallknowledgeofthefact——adevicewhichisinthepowerofanywomanwhogivesupherpersoninthedarktoadopt，asitisimpossibletoconvictheroflying。However，IknewthedivinecreatureIhadthoughtIpossessedtoowelltobelievehercapableofsuchbasedeceit。Ifeltthatshewouldhavebeenlackingindelicacy，ifshehadsaidshehadwaitedformeinvainbywayofajest；asinsuchacaseasthistheleastdoubtisadegradation。Iwasforced，then，totheconclusionthatshehadbeensupplantedbytheinfernalwidow。Howhadshemanagedit？Howhadsheascertainedourarrangements？Icouldnotimagine，andIbewilderedmyselfwithpainfulsurmises。Reasononlycomestotheaidofthemindwhentheconfusionproducedbypainfulthoughtshasalmostvanished。Iconcluded，then，thatIhadspenttwohourswiththisabominablemonster；andwhatincreasedmyanguish，andmademeloatheanddespisemyselfstillmore，wasthatI
　　couldnothelpconfessingthatIhadbeenperfectlyhappy。Itwasanunpardonablemistake，asthetwowomendifferedasmuchaswhitedoesfromblack，andthoughthedarknessforbademyseeing，andthesilencemyhearing，mysenseoftouchshouldhaveenlightenedme——
　　afterthefirstset—to，atallevents，butmyimaginationwasinastateofecstasy。Icursedlove，mynature，andabovealltheinconceivableweaknesswhichhadallowedmetoreceiveintomyhousetheserpentthathaddeprivedmeofanangel，andmademehatemyselfatthethoughtofhavingdefiledmyselfwithher。Iresolvedtodie，afterhavingtorntopieceswithmyownhandsthemonsterwhohadmademesounhappy。
　　WhileIwasstrengtheningmyselfinthisresolutionM。————cameuptomeandaskedmekindlyifIwereill；hewasalarmedtoseemepaleandcoveredwithdropsofsweat。"Mywife，"saidtheworthyman，"isuneasyaboutyou，andsentmetolookafteryou。"ItoldhimI
　　hadtoleaveheronaccountofasuddendizziness，butthatIbegantofeelbetter。"Letusrejoinher。"MadameDuboisbroughtmeaflaskofstrongwaters，sayingpleasantlythatshewassureitwasonlythesuddendepartureofthewidowthathadputmeout。
　　Wecontinuedourwalk，andwhenwewerefarenoughfromthehusband，whowaswithmyhousekeeper，IsaidIhadbeenovercomebywhatshehadsaid，butthatithaddoubtlessbeenspokenjestingly。
　　"Iwasnotjestingatall，"saidshe，withasigh，"tellmewhatpreventedyourcoming。"
　　AgainIwasstruckdumb。Icouldnotmakeupmymindtotellherthestory，andIdidnotknowwhattosaytojustifymyself。Iwassilentandconfusedwhenmyhousekeeper’slittleservantcameupandgavemealetterwhichthewretchedwidowhadsentherbyanexpress。
　　Shehadopenedit，andfoundanenclosureaddressedtomeinside。I
　　putitinmypocket，sayingIwouldreaditatmyleisure。OnMadamesayinginjokethatitwasalove—letter，Icouldnotlaugh，andmadenoanswer。Theservantcametotellusthatdinnerwasserved，butI
　　couldtouchnothing。Myabstinencewasputdowntomybeingunwell。
　　Ilongedtoreadtheletter，butIwishedtobealonetodoso，andthatwasadifficultmattertocontrive。
　　Wishingtoavoidthegameofpiquetwhichformedourusualafternoon’samusement，Itookacupofcoffee，andsaidthatI
　　thoughtthefreshairwoulddomegood。Madamesecondedme，andguessingwhatIwantedsheaskedmetowalkupanddownwithherinashelteredalleyinthegarden。Iofferedhermyarm，herhusbandofferedhistomyhousekeeper，andwewentout。
　　Assoonasmymistresssawthatwewerefreefromobservation，shespokeasfollows，——
　　"Iamsurethatyouspentthenightwiththatmaliciouswoman，andI
　　amafraidofbeingcompromisedinconsequence。Tellmeeverything；
　　confideinmewithoutreserve；’tismyfirstintrigue，andifitistoserveasalessonyoushouldconcealnothingfromme。Iamsureyoulovedmeonce，tellmethatyouhavenotbecomemyenemy。"
　　"Goodheavens！whatareyousaying？Iyourenemy！"
　　"Thentellmeall，andbeforeyoureadthatwretchedcreature’sletter。Iadjureyouinthenameoflovetohidenothingfromme。"
　　"Well，divinecreature，Iwilldoasyoubidme。Icametoyourapartmentatoneo’clock，andassoonasIwasinthesecondante—
　　chamber，Iwastakenbythearm，andahandwasplaceduponmylipstoimposesilence；IthoughtIheldyouinmyarms，andIlaidyougentlyonthesofa。YoumustrememberthatIfeltabsolutelycertainitwasyou；indeed，Icanscarcelydoubtitevennow。Ithenpassedwithyou，withoutawordbeingspoken，twoofthemostdelicioushoursIhaveeverexperienced。Cursedhours！ofwhichtheremembrancewilltormentmefortheremainderofmydays。Ileftyouataquarterpastthree。Therestisknowntoyou。"
　　"Whocanhavetoldthemonsterthatyouweregoingtovisitmeatthathour？"
　　"Ican’tmakeout，andthatperplexesme。"
　　"YoumustconfessthatIamthemosttobepitiedofusthree，andperhaps，alas！theonlyonewhomayhaveajusttitletothename’wretched。’"
　　"Ifyouloveme，inthenameofHeavendonotsaythat；Ihaveresolvedtostabher，andtokillmyselfafterhavinginflictedonherthatpunishmentshesowelldeserves。"
　　"Haveyouconsideredthatthepublicityofsuchanactionwouldrendermethemostunfortunateofwomen？Letusbemoremoderate，sweetheart；youarenottoblameforwhathashappened，andifpossibleIloveyouallthemore。Givemethelettershehaswrittentoyou。Iwillgoawayfromyoutoreadit，andyoucanreaditafterwards，asifwewereseenreadingittogetherweshouldhavetoexplainmatters。"
　　"Hereitis。"
　　Ithenrejoinedherhusband，whommyhousekeeperwassendingintofitsoflaughter。TheconversationIhadjusthadhadcalmedmealittle，andthetrustfulwayinwhichshehadaskedfortheletterhaddonemegood。Iwasinafevertoknowthecontents，andyetI
　　dreadedtoreadit，asitcouldonlyincreasemyrageandIwasafraidoftheresults。
　　Madamerejoinedus，andafterwehadseparatedagainshegavemetheletter，tellingmetokeepittillIwasalone。Sheaskedmetogivehermywordofhonourtodonothingwithoutconsultingher，andtocommunicateallmydesignstoherbymeansofhernurse。
　　"Weneednotfeartheharpysayinganythingaboutit，"sheremarked，"asshewouldfirsthavetoproclaimherownprostitution，andasforus，concealmentisthebestplan。AndIwouldhaveyounotethatthehorriblecreaturegivesyouapieceofadviceyouwoulddowelltofollow。"
　　Whatcompletelytoremyheartasunderduringthisinterviewwastoseegreattears——tearsofloveandgrief——fallingfromherbeautifuleyes；thoughtomoderatemyanguishsheforcedasmile。Iknewtoowelltheimportancesheattachedtoherfairfamenottoguessthatshewastormentedwiththeideathattheterriblewidowknewoftheunderstandingbetweenus，andthethoughtaddedfreshpoignancytomysorrow。
　　Thisamiablepairleftmeatsevenintheevening，andIthankedthehusbandinsuchamannerthathecouldnotdoubtmysincerity，and，intruth，IsaidnomorethanIfelt。Thereisnoreasonwhytheloveonefeelsforawomanshouldhinderonefrombeingthetruefriendofherhusband——ifshehaveahusband。Thecontraryviewisahatefulprejudice，repugnantbothtonatureandtophilosophy。AfterIhadembracedhimIwasabouttokissthehandofhischarmingwife，buthebeggedmetoembracehertoo，whichIdidrespectfullybutfeelingly。
　　Iwasimpatienttoreadtheterribleletter，andassoonastheyweregoneIshutmyselfupinmyroomtopreventanyinterruptions。Theepistlewasasfollows:
　　"Ileaveyourhouse，sir，wellenoughpleased，notthatIhavespentacoupleofhourswithyou，foryouarenobetterthananyotherman，butthatIhaverevengedmyselfonthemanyopenmarksofcontemptyouhavegivenme；foryourprivatescornIcarelittle，andI
　　willinglyforgiveyou。Ihaveavengedmyselfbyunmaskingyourdesignsandthehypocrisyofyourprettyprude，whowillnolongerbeabletotreatmewiththatirritatingairofsuperioritywhichshe，affectingavirtuewhichshedoesnotpossess，hasdisplayedtowardsme。Ihaveavengedmyselfinthefactthatshemusthavebeenwaitingforyouallthenight，andIwouldhavegivenworldstohaveheardtheamusingconversationyoumusthavehadwhenshefoundoutthatIhadtakenforvengeance’ssake，andnotforlove，theenjoymentwhichwasmeantforher。Ihaveavengedmyselfbecauseyoucannolongerpretendtothinkheramarvelofbeauty，ashavingmistakenmeforher，thedifferencebetweenusmustneedsbeslight；
　　butIhavedoneyouaservice，too，asthethoughtofwhathashappenedshouldcureyouofyourpassion。Youwillnolongeradoreherbeforeallotherwomenwhoarejustasgoodasshe。ThusIhavedisabusedyou，andyououghttofeelgratefultome；butIdispenseyoufromallgratitude，anddonotcareifyouchoosetohateme，providedyourhatredleavesmeinpeace；butifIfindyourconductobjectionableinthefuture，IwarnyouthatIwilltellall，sinceI
　　donotcareformyownfameasIamawidowandmistressofmyownactions。Ineednoman’sfavour，andcarenotwhatmenmaysayofme。Yourmistress，ontheotherhand，isinquiteadifferentposition。
　　"AndhereIwillgiveyouapieceofadvice，whichshouldconvinceyouofmygenerosity。ForthelasttenyearsIhavebeentroubledwithalittleailmentwhichhasresistedallattemptsattreatment。
　　Youexertedyourselftosuchanextenttoprovehowwellyoulovedmethatyoumusthavecaughtthecomplaint。Iadviseyou，then，toputyourselfundertreatmentatoncetoweakentheforceofthevirus；
　　butabovealldonotcommunicateittoyourmistress，whomightchancetohanditontoherhusbandandpossiblytoothers，whichwouldmakeawretchedwomanofher，tomygriefandsorrow，sinceshehasneverdonemeanyharm。Ifeltcertainthatyoutwowoulddeceivetheworthyhusband，andIwishedtohaveproof；thusImadeyoutakemein，andthepositionoftheapartmentyougavethemwasenoughtoremovealldoubts；stillIwantedtohaveproofpositive。
　　Ihadnoneedofanyhelptoarriveatmyends，andIfounditapleasantjoketokeepyouinthedark。Afterpassingtwonightsonthesofaallfornothing，Iresolvedonpassingthethirdnightthere，andmyperseverancewascrownedwithsuccess。Noonesawme，andmymaidevenisignorantofmynocturnalwanderings，thoughinanycasesheisaccustomedtoobservesilence。Youare，then，atperfectlibertytoburythestoryinoblivion，andIadviseyoutodoso。
　　"Ifyouwantadoctor，tellhimtokeephiscounsel，forpeopleatSoleureknowofmylittleindisposition，andtheymightsayyoucaughtitfromme，andthiswoulddousbothharm。"
　　HerimpudencestruckmesogiganticinitsdimensionsthatIalmostlaughed。IwasperfectlyawarethatafterthewayIhadtreatedhershemusthateme，butIshouldnothavethoughtshewouldhavecarriedherperversehatredsofar。Shehadcommunicatedtomeaninfectiousdisease，thoughIdidnotsofarfeelanysymptoms；
　　however，theywouldnodoubtappear，andIsadlythoughtIshouldhavetogoawaytobecured，toavoidthegossipofmaliciouswits。
　　Igavemyselfuptoreflection，andaftertwohours’thoughtIwiselyresolvedtoholdmytongue，buttoberevengedwhentheopportunitypresenteditself。
　　Ihadeatennothingatdinner，andneededagoodsuppertomakemesleep。Isatdowntotablewithmyhousekeeper，but，likeamanashamedofhimself，Idarednotlookherintheface。
　　CHAPTERXVI
　　ContinuationofthePrecedingChapter——ILeaveSoleureWhentheservantshadgoneawayandleftusalone，itwouldhavelookedstrangeifwehadremainedasdumbastwoposts；butinmystateofmindIdidnotfeelmyselfcapableofbreakingthesilence。
　　MydearDubois，whobegantolovemebecauseImadeherhappy，feltmymelancholyreactonherself，andtriedtomakemetalk。
　　"Yoursadness，"saidshe，"isnotlikeyou；itfrightensme。Youmayconsoleyourselfbytellingmeofyourtroubles，butdonotimaginethatmycuriosityspringsfromanyunworthymotive，Ionlywanttobeofservicetoyou。Youmayrelyonmybeingperfectlydiscreet；andtoencourageyoutospeakfreely，andtogiveyouthattrustinmewhichIthinkIdeserve，IwilltellyouwhatIknowandwhatIhavelearntaboutyourself。Myknowledgehasnotbeenobtainedbyanyunworthystratagems，orbyacuriosityinaffairswhichdonotconcernme。"
　　"Iampleasedwithwhatyousay，mydearhousekeeper。Iseeyouaremyfriend，andIamgratefultoyou。Tellmeallyouknowaboutthematterwhichisnowtroublingme，andconcealnothing。"
　　"Verygood。YouaretheloverandthebelovedofMadame————。Thewidowwhomyouhavetreatedbadlyhasplayedyousometrickwhichhasinvolvedyouwithyourmistress，andthenthewretchedwomanhas477
　　leftyourhousewiththemostunpardonablerudenessthistorturesyou。Youfearsomedisastrousconsequencesfromwhichyoucannotescape，yourheartandmindareatwar，andthereisastruggleinyourbreastbetweenpassionandsentiment。PerhapsIamwrong，butyesterdayyouseemedtomehappyandto—daymiserable。Ipityyou，becauseyouhaveinspiredmewiththetenderestfeelingsoffriendship。Ididmybestto—daytoconversewiththehusbandthatyoumightbefreetotalktothewife，whoseemstomewellworthyofyourlove。"
　　"Allthatyouhavesaidistrue。Yourfriendshipisdeartome，andIhaveahighopinionofyourintellectualpowers。Thewidowisamonsterwhohasmademewretchedinreturnformycontempt，andI
　　cannotrevengemyselfonher。Honourwillnotallowmetotellyouanymore，andindeeditwouldbeimpossibleforyouoranyoneelsetoalleviatethegriefthatoverwhelmsme。Itmaypossiblybemydeath，butinthemeantime，mydearDubois，Ientreatyoutocontinueyourfriendshiptowardsme，andtotreatmewithentirecandour。Ishallalwaysattendtowhatyousay，andthusyouwillbeofthegreatestservicetome。Ishallnotbeungrateful。"
　　IspentawearynightasIhadexpected，foranger，themotherofvengeance，alwaysmademesleepless，whilesuddenhappinesshadsometimesthesameeffect。
　　IrangforLeDucearlyinthemorning，but，insteadofhim，MadameDubois’suglylittleattendantcame，andtoldmethatmymanwasill，andthatthehousekeeperwouldbringmemychocolate。Shecameindirectlyafter，andIhadnosoonerswallowedthechocolatethanI
　　wasseizedwithaviolentattackofsickness，theeffectofanger，whichatitsheightmaykillthemanwhocannotsatisfyit。Myconcentratedragecalledforvengeanceonthedreadfulwidow，thechocolatecameonthetopoftheanger，andifithadnotbeenrejectedIshouldhavebeenkilled；asitwasIwasquiteexhausted。
　　LookingatmyhousekeeperIsawshewasintears，andaskedherwhyshewept。
　　"Goodheavens！DoyouthinkIhaveaheartofstone？"
　　"Calmyourself；Iseeyoupityme。Leaveme，andIhopeIshallbeabletogetsomesleep。"
　　Iwenttosleepsoonafter，andIdidnotwaketillIhadsleptforsevenhours。Ifeltrestoredtolife。Irangthebell，myhousekeepercamein，andtoldmethesurgeonoftheplacehadcalled。
　　Shelookedverymelancholy，butonseeingmymorecheerfulaspectI
　　sawgladnessreappearingonherprettyface。
　　"Wewilldinetogether，dearest，"saidI，"buttellthesurgeontocomein。Iwanttoknowwhathehastosaytome。"
　　Theworthymanentered，andafterlookingcarefullyroundtheroomtoseethatwewerealone，hecameuptome，andwhisperedinmyearthatLeDuchadamaladyofashamefulcharacter。
　　Iburstoutlaughing，asIhadbeenexpectingsometerriblenews。
　　"Mydeardoctor，"saidI，"doallyoucantocurehim，andIwillpayyouhandsomely，butnexttimedon’tlooksodolefulwhenyouhaveanythingtotellme。Howoldareyou？"
　　"Nearlyeighty。"
　　"MayGodhelpyou！"
　　IwasallthemorereadytosympathizewithmypoorSpaniard，asI
　　expectedtofindmyselfinalikecase。
　　Whatafellow—feelingthereisbetweentheunfortunate！Thepoormanwillseekinvainfortruecompassionattherichman’sdoors；whathereceivesisasacrificetoostentationandnottruebenevolence；
　　andthemaninsorrowshouldnotlookforpityfromonetowhomsorrowisunknown，iftherebesuchapersonontheearth。
　　Myhousekeepercameintodressme，andaskedmewhathadbeenthedoctor’sbusiness。
　　"Hemusthavesaidsomethingamusingtomakeyoulaugh。"
　　"Yes，andIshouldliketotellyouwhatitwas；butbeforeIdosoI
　　mustaskyouifyouknowwhatthevenerealdiseaseis？"
　　"Yes，Ido；LadyMontagu’sfootmandiedofitwhileIwaswithher"
　　"Verygood，butyoushouldpretendnottoknowwhatitis，andimitateotherladieswhoassumeanignorancewhichwellbecomesthem。
　　PoorLeDuchasgotthisdisease。"
　　"Poorfellow，Iamsorryforhim！Wereyoulaughingatthat？"
　　"No；itwastheairofmysteryassumedbytheolddoctorwhichamusedme。"
　　"Itoohaveaconfidencetomake，andwhenyouhaveheardityoumusteitherforgivemeorsendmeawaydirectly。"
　　"Hereisanotherbother。Whatthedevilcanyouhavedone？Quick！
　　tellme。"
　　"Sir，Ihaverobbedyou！"
　　"Whatrobbedme？When？How？Canyoureturnmewhatyouhavetaken？Ishouldnothavethoughtyoucapableofsuchathing。I
　　neverforgivearobberoraliar。"
　　"Youaretoohasty，sir。Iamsureyouwillforgiveme，asIrobbedyouonlyhalfanhourago，andIamnowgoingtoreturntoyouthetheft。"
　　"Youareasingularwoman，mydear。Come，Iwillvouchsafefullforgiveness，butrestoreimmediatelywhatyouhavetaken。"
　　"ThisiswhatIstole。"
　　"What！thatmonster’sletter？Didyoureadit？"
　　"Yes，ofcourse，forotherwiseIshouldnothavecommittedatheft，shouldI？"
　　"Youhaverobbedmemysecret，then，andthatisathingyoucannotgivemeback。Youhavedoneverywrong。"
　　"IconfessIhave。MytheftisallthegreaterinthatIcannotmakerestoration。Nevertheless，Ipromisenevertospeakawordofitallmylife，andthatoughttogainmemypardon。Giveitmequickly。"
　　"Youarealittlewitch。Iforgiveyou，andhereisthepledgeofmymercy。"SosayingIfastenedmylipsonhers。
　　"Idon’tdoubtthevalidityofyourpardon；youhavesignedwithadoubleandatripleseal。"
　　"Yes；butforthefuturedonotread，orsomuchastouch，anyofmypapers，asIamthedepositaryofsecretsofwhichIamnotfreetodispose。"
　　"Verygood；butwhatshallIdowhenIfindpapersontheground，asthatletterwas？"
　　"Youmustpickthemup，butnotreadthem。"
　　"Ipromisetodoso。"
　　"Verywell，mydear；butyoumustforgetthehorrorsyouhaveread。"
　　"Listentome。AllowmetorememberwhatIhaveread；perhapsyoumaybethegainer。Letustalkoverthisaffair，whichhasmademyhairstandonend。Thismonsterofimmodestyhasgivenyoutwomortalblows——oneinthebodyandoneinthesoul；butthatisnottheworst，asshethinksthatMadame’shonourisinherkeeping。
　　This，inmythinking，istheworstofall；for，inspiteoftheaffront，yourmutuallovemightcontinue，andthediseasewhichtheinfamouscreaturehascommunicatedtoyouwouldpassoff；butifthemaliciouswomancarriesoutherthreats，thehonourofyourcharmingmistressisgonebeyondreturn。Donottrytomakemeforgetthematter，then，butletustalkitoverandseewhatcanbedone。"
　　IthoughtIwasdreamingwhenIheardayoungwomaninherpositionreasoningwithmoreacutenessthanMinervadisplaysinhercolloquieswithTelemachus。Shehadcapturednotonlymyesteembutmyrespect。
　　"Yes，mydear，"Ianswered，"letusthinkoversomeplanfordeliveringawomanwhodeservestherespectofallgoodmenfromthisimminentdanger；andtheverythoughtthatwehavesomechanceofsuccessmakesmeindebtedtoyou。Letusthinkofitandtalkofitfromnoontonight。ThinkkindlyofMadame————，pardonherfirstslip，protectherhonour，andhavepityonmydistress。Fromhenceforthcallmenomoreyourmasterbutyourfriend。Iwillbeyourfriendtilldeath；Iswearittoyou。Whatyousayisfullofwisdom；myheartisyours。Embraceme。"
　　"No，no，thatisnotnecessary；weareyoungpeople，andwemightperhapsallowourselvestogoastray。Ionlywishforyourfriendship；butIdonotwantyoutogiveittomefornothing。I
　　wishtodeserveitbygivingyousolidproofsofmyfriendshipforyou。InthemeanwhileIwilltellthemtoservedinner，andIhopethatafteryouhaveeatensomethingyouwillbequitewell。"
　　Iwasastonishedathersagacity。Itmightallbecalculatedartifice，andheraimmightbetoseduceme，butIdidnottroublemyselfaboutthat。Ifoundmyselfalmostinlovewithher，andliketobethedupeofherprinciples，whichwouldhavemadethemselvesfelt，evenifshehadopenlysharedmylove。IdecidedthatIwouldaddnofueltomyflames，andfeltcertainthattheywouldgooutoftheirownaccord。Byleavingmylovethusdesolateitwoulddieofexhaustion。Iarguedlikeafool。Iforgotthatitisnotpossibletostopatfriendshipwithaprettywomanwhomoneseesconstantly，andespeciallywhenonesuspectsherofbeinginloveherself。Atitsheightfriendshipbecomeslove，andthepalliativeoneisforcedtoapplytosootheitforamomentonlyincreasesitsintensity。
　　SuchwastheexperienceofAnacreonwithSmerdis，andCleobuluswithBadyllus。APlatonistwhopretendsthatoneisabletolivewithayoungwomanofwhomoneisfond，withoutbecomingmorethanherfriend，isavisionarywhoknowsnotwhathesays。Myhousekeeperwastooyoung，toopretty，andabovealltoopleasant，shehadtookeenawit，formenottobecaptivatedbyallthesequalitiesconjoined；Iwasboundtobecomeherlover。
　　Wedinedquietlytogetherwithoutsayinganythingabouttheaffairwehadatheart，fornothingismoreimprudentormoredangerousthantospeakinthepresenceofservants，whooutofmaliciousnessorignoranceputtheworstconstructiononwhattheyhear；addordiminish，andthinkthemselvesprivilegedtodivulgetheirmaster’ssecrets，especiallyastheyknowthemwithouthavingbeenentrustedwiththem。
　　Assoonaswewerealone，mydearDuboisaskedmeifIhadsufficientproofofLeDuc’sfidelity。
　　"Well，mydear，heisarascalandaprofligate，fullofimpudence，sharp—witted，ignorant，afearfulliar，andnobodybutmyselfhasanypoweroverhim。However，hehasonegoodquality，andthatisblindobediencetomyorders。Hedefiesthestick，andhewoulddefythegallowsifitwerefarenoughoff。WhenIhavetofordariveronmytravels，hestripsoffhisclotheswithoutmytellinghim，andjumpsintoseeifIcanacrossinsafety。"
　　"Thatwilldo；heisjustwhatwewantunderthecircumstances。I
　　willbeginbyassuringyou，mydearfriend，asyouwillhavemestyleyouthus，thatMadame’shonourisperfectlysafe。Followmyadvice，andifthedetestablewidowdoesnottakecareshewillbetheonlypersonputtoshame。ButwewantLeDuc；withouthimwecandonothing。Aboveallwemustfindouthowhecontractedhisdisease，asseveralcircumstancesmightthrowobstaclesinthewayofmydesign。Gotohimatonceandfindoutallparticulars，andifhehastoldanyoftheservantswhatisthematterwithhim。Whenyouhaveheardwhathehastosay，warnhimtokeepthematterquiet。"
　　Imadenoobjection，andwithoutendeavouringtopenetrateherdesignIwenttoLeDuc。Ifoundhimlyingonhisbedbyhimself。Isatdownbesidehimwithasmileonmyface，andpromisedtohavehimcuredifhewouldtellmeallthecircumstancesofthecase。
　　"Withallmyheart，sir，thematterhappenedlikethis。ThedayyousentmetoSoleuretogetyourletters，Igotdownataroadsidedairytogetaglassofmilk。Itwasservedtomebyayoungwenchwhocaughtmyfancy，andIgaveherahug；sheraisednoobjection，andinaquarterofanhourshemademewhatyousee。"
　　"Haveyoutoldanyoneaboutit？"
　　"Itookgoodcarenottodoso，asIshouldonlyhavegotlaughedat。
　　Thedoctoristheonlyonewhoknowswhatisthematter，andhetellsmetheswellingwillbegonedownbeforetomorrow，andIhopeIshallbeablebythattimetowaituponyou。"
　　"Verygood，butremembertokeepyourowncounsel。"
　　IproceededtoinformmyMinervaofourconversation，andshesaid，——
　　"Tellmewhetherthewidowcouldtakeheroaththatshehadspentthetwohoursonthesofawithyou。"
　　"No，forshedidn’tseeme，andIdidnotsayaword。"
　　"Verygood；thensitdownatyourdeskandwrite，andtellhersheisaliar，asyoudidnotleaveyourroomatall，andthatyouaremakingthenecessaryenquiriesinyourhouseholdtofindoutwhoisthewretchedpersonshehasunwittinglycontaminated。Writeatonceandsendoffyourletterdirectly。Inanhourandahalf’stimeyoucanwriteanotherletter；orratheryoucancopywhatIamjustgoingtoputdown。"
　　"Mydear，Iseeyourplan；itisaningeniousone，butIhavegivenmywordofhonourtoMadametotakenostepsinthematterwithoutfirstconsultingher。"
　　"Thenyourwordofhonourmustgivewaytothenecessityofsavingherhonour。Yourloveretardsyoursteps，buteverythingdependsonourpromptitude，andontheintervalbetweenthefirstandsecondletter。Followmyadvice，Ibegofyou，andyouwillknowtherestfromtheletterIamgoingtowriteforyoutocopy。QuickIwriteletternumberone。"
　　Ididnotallowmyselftoreflect。Iwaspersuadedthatnobetterplancouldbefoundthanthatofmycharminggoverness，andI
　　proceededtowritethefollowinglove—lettertotheimpudentmonster:
　　"Theimpudenceofyourletterisinperfectaccordwiththethreenightsyouspentindiscoveringafactwhichhasnoexistencesaveinyourownperverseimagination。Know，cursedwoman，thatIneverleftmyroom，andthatIhavenottodeploretheshameofhavingpassedtwohourswithabeingsuchasyou。Godknowswithwhomyoudidpassthem，butImeantofindoutifthewholestoryisnotthecreationofyourdevilishbrain，andwhenIdosoIwillinformyou。
　　"YoumaythankHeaventhatIdidnotopenyourlettertillafterM。
　　andMadamehadgone。Ireceiveditintheirpresence，butdespisingthehandthatwroteitIputitinmypocket，littlecaringwhatinfamousstuffitcontained。IfIhadbeencuriousenoughtoreaditandmyguestshadseenit，IwouldhaveyouknowthatIwouldhavegoneinpursuitofyou，andatthismomentyouwouldhavebeenacorpse。Iamquitewell，andhavenosymptomsofanycomplaint，butIshallnotlowermyselftoconvinceyouofmyhealth，asyoureyeswouldcarrycontagionaswellasyourwretchedcarcase。"
　　IshewedthelettertomydearDubois，whothoughtitratherstronglyexpressed，butapprovedofitonthewhole；Ithensentittothehorriblebeingwhohadcausedmesuchunhappiness。AnhourandahalfafterwardsIsentherthefollowingletter，whichIcopiedwithoutadditionorsubtraction:
　　"AquarterofanhourafterIhadsentoffmyletter，thevillagedoctorcametotellmethatmymanhadneedofhistreatmentforadiseaseofashamefulnaturewhichhehadcontractedquiterecently。
　　Itoldhimtotakecareofhispatient；andwhenhehadgoneIwenttoseetheinvalid，whoconfessed，aftersomepressure，thathehadreceivedthisprettypresentfromyou。Iaskedhimhowhehadcontrivedtoobtainaccesstoyou，andhesaidthathesawyougoingbyyourselfinthedarkintotheapartmentofM。————。KnowingthatIhadgonetobed，andhavingnofurtherservicestorenderme，curiositymadehimgoandseewhatyouweredoingtherebystealth，asifyouhadwantedtoseethelady，whowouldbeinbedbythattime，youwouldnothavegonebythedoorleadingtothegarden。Heatfirstthoughtthatyouwenttherewithill—intent，andhewaitedanhourtoseeifyoustoleanything，inwhichcasehewouldhavearrestedyou；butasyoudidnotcomeout，andheheardnonoise，heresolvedtogoinafteryou，andfoundyouhadleftthedooropen。
　　Hehasassuredmethathehadnointentionsinthewayofcarnalenjoyment，andIcanwellbelievehim。Hetellsmehewasonthepointofcryingforhelp，whenyoutookholdofhimandputyourhandoverhismouth；buthechangedhisplansonfindinghimselfdrawngentlytoacouchandcoveredwithkisses。Youplainlytookhimforsomebodyelse，’and，’saidhe，’Ididheraservicewhichshehasdoneilltorecompenseinthisfashion。’Heleftyouwithoutsayingawordassoonasthedaybegantodawn，hismotivebeingfearofrecognition。Itiseasytoseethatyoutookmyservantformyself，forinthenight，youknow，allcatsaregrey，andIcongratulateyouonobtaininganenjoymentyoucertainlywouldnothavehadfromme，asIshouldmostsurelyhaverecognizedyoudirectlyfromyourbreathandyouragedcharms，andIcantellyouitwouldhavegonehardwithyou。Luckilyforyouandforme，thingshappenedotherwise。Imaytellyouthatthepoorfellowisfurious，andintendsmakingyouavisit，fromwhichcourseIbelieveIhavenorighttodissuadehim。
　　Iadviseyoutohearhimpolitely，andtobeinagenerousmoodwhenhecomes，asheisadeterminedfellowlikeallSpaniards，andifyoudonottreathimproperlyhewillpublishthematter，andyouwillhavetotaketheconsequences。Hewilltellyouhimselfwhathistermsare，andIdaresayyouwillbewiseenoughtograntthem。"
　　AnhourafterIhadsentoffthisepistleIreceivedareplytomyfirstletter。Shetoldmethatmydevicewasaningeniousone，butthatitwasnogood，assheknewwhatshewastalkingabout。ShedefiedmetoshewherthatIwashealthyinthecourseofafewdays。
　　Whilewewereatsupper，mydearDuboistriedherutmosttocheermeup，butalltonopurpose；Iwastoomuchundertheinfluenceofstrongemotiontoyieldtoherhighspirits。Wediscussedthethirdstep，whichwouldputanapextotheschemeandcovertheimpudentwomanwithshame。AsIhadwrittenthetwolettersaccordingtomyhousekeeper’sinstructions，Ideterminedtofollowheradvicetotheend。ShetoldmewhattosaytoLeDucinthemorning；andshewascurioustoknowwhatsortofstuffhewasmadeof，shebeggedmetoletherlistenbehindthecurtainsofmybed。
　　NextmorningLeDuecamein，andIaskedifhecouldrideonhorsebacktoSoleure。
　　"Yes，sir，"hereplied，"butthedoctortellsmeImustbegintobatheto—morrow。"
　　"Verygood。Assoonasyourhorseisready，setoutandgotoMadameF————，butdonotletherknowyoucomefromme，orsuspectthatyouareamereemissaryofmine。Saythatyouwanttospeaktoher。Ifsherefusestoreceiveyou，waitoutsideinthestreet；butIfancyshewillreceiveyou，andwithoutawitnesseither。Thensaytoher，’Youhavegivenmemycomplaintwithouthavingbeenasked，andI
　　requireyoutogivemesufficientmoneytogetmyselfcured。’Addthatshemadeyouworkfortwohoursinthedark，andthatifithadnotbeenforthefatalpresentshehadgiventoyou，youwouldhavesaidnothingaboutit；butthatfindingyourselfinsuchastate（youneedn’tbeashamedtoshewher）sheoughtnottobeastonishedatyourtakingsuchacourse。Ifsheresists，threatenherwiththelaw。That’sallyouhavetodo，butdon’tletmynameappear。
　　Returndirectlywithoutlossoftime，thatImayknowhowyouhavegoton。"
　　"That’sallveryfine，sir，butifthisjollywenchhasmepitchedoutofwindow，Ishan’tcomehomequitesospeedily。"
　　"Quiteso，butyouneedn’tbeafraid；Iwillanswerforyoursafety。"
　　"It’saqueerbusinessyouaresendingmeon。"
　　"YouaretheonlymanIwouldtrusttodoitproperly。"
　　"Iwilldoitallright，butIwanttoaskyouoneortwoessentialquestions。Hastheladyreallygotthewhatd’youcallit？"
　　"Shehas。"
　　"Iamsorryforher。ButhowamItosticktoitthatshehaspepperedme，whenIhaveneverspokentoher？"
　　"Doyouusuallycatchthatcomplaintbyspeaking，booby？"
　　"No，butonespeaksinordertocatchit，orwhileoneiscatchingit。"
　　"Youspenttwohoursinthedarkwithherwithoutawordbeingspoken，andshewillseethatshegavethisfinepresenttoyouwhileshethoughtshewasgivingittoanother。"
　　"Ah！Ibegintoseemyway，sir。Butifwewereinthedark，howwasItoknowitwassheIhadtodowith？
　　"Thus:yousawhergoinginbythegardendoor，andyoumarkedherunobserved。Butyoumaybesureshewon’taskyouanyofthesequestions。"
　　"Iknowwhattodonow。Iwillstartatonce，andIamascuriousasyoutoknowwhatheranswerwillbe。Buthere’sanotherquestioncomesintomyhead。ShemaytrytostrikeabargainoverthesumI
　　amtoaskformycure；ifso，shallIbecontentwiththreehundredfrancs？"
　　"That’stoomuchforher，takehalf。"
　　"Butitisn’tmuchfortwohoursofsuchpleasureforherandsixweeksofsuchpainforme。"
　　"Iwillmakeuptheresttoyou。"
　　"That’sgoodhearing。Sheisgoingtopayfordamageshehasdone。
　　IfancyIseeitall，butIshallsaynothing。Iwouldbetitisyoutowhomshehasmadethisfinepresent，andthatyouwanttopayherout。"
　　"Perhapsso；butkeepyourowncounselandsetout。"
　　"DoyouknowIthinktherascalisunique，"saidmydearDubois，emergingfromherhiding—place，"Ihadhardworktokeepfromlaughingwhenhesaidthatifhewerepitchedoutofthewindowhewouldnotcomebacksosoon。Iamsurehewillacquithimselfbetterthaneverdiddiplomatist。WhenhegetstoSoleurethemonsterwillhavealreadydispatchedherreplytoyoursecondletter。Iamcurioustoseehowitwillturnout。"
　　"Toyou，mydear，thehonourofthiscomedybelongs。Youhaveconductedthisintriguelikeapastmasterinthecraft。Itcouldneverbetakenfortheworkofanovice。"
　　"Nevertheless，itismyfirstandIhopeitwillbemylastintrigue"
　　"Ihopeshewon’tdefymeto’giveevidenceofmyhealth。"
　　"Youarequitewellsofar，Ithink？"
　　"Yes；and，bytheway，itispossibleshemayonlyhaveleucorrhoea。
　　Iamlongingtoseetheendofthepiece，andtosetmymindatrest。"
　　"WillyougiveMadameanaccountofourscheme？"
　　"Yes；butIshallnotbeabletogiveyouthecredityoudeserve。"
　　"Ionlywanttohavecreditinyoureyes。"
　　"YoucannotdoubtthatIhonouryouimmensely，andIshallcertainlynotdepriveyouoftherewardthatisyourdue。"
　　"TheonlyrewardIaskforisforyoutobeperfectlyopenwithme。"
　　"Youareverywonderful。Whydoyouinterestyourselfsomuchinmyaffairs？Idon’tliketothinkyouarereallyinquisitive。"
　　"YouwouldbewrongtothinkthatIhaveadefectwhichwouldlowermeinmyowneyes。Besure，sir，thatIshallonlybecuriouswhenyouaresad。"
　　"Butwhatcanhavemadeyoufeelsogenerouslytowardsme？"
　　"Onlyyourhonourableconducttowardsme。"
　　"Youtouchmeprofoundly，andIpromisetoconfideinyouforthefuture。"
　　"Youwillmakemehappy。"
　　LeDuchadscarcelygoneanhourwhenamessengeronfootcametobringmeasecondletterfromthewidow。Healsogavemeasmallpacket，tellingmethathehadorderstowaitforareply。Isenthimdowntowait，andIgavethelettertoMadameDubois，thatshemightseewhatitcontained。WhileshewasreadingitIleantuponthewindow，myheartbeatingviolently。
　　"Everythingisgettingonfamously，"criedmyhousekeeper。"Hereistheletter；readit。"
　　"WhetherIambeingtoldthetruth，orwhetherIamthevictimofamytharisingfromyourfertileimagination（forwhichyouaretoowellknownalloverEurope），Iwillregardthewholestoryasbeingtrue，asIamnotinapositiontodisproveit。Iamdeeplygrievedtohaveinjuredaninnocentmanwhohasneverdonemeanyill，andI
　　willwillinglypaythepenaltybygivinghimasumwhichwillbemorethansufficienttocurehimoftheplaguewithwhichIinfectedhim。
　　Ibegthatyouwillgivehimthetwenty—fivelouisIamsendingyou；
　　theywillservetorestorehimtohealth，andtomakehimforgetthebitternessofthepleasureIamsosorrytohaveprocuredforhim。
　　Andnowareyousufficientlygeneroustoemployyourauthorityasmastertoenjoinonyourmanthemostabsolutesecrecy？Ihopeso，foryouhavereasontodreadmyvengeanceotherwise。Considerthat，ifthisaffairisallowedtotranspire，itwillbeeasyformetogiveitaturnwhichmaybefarfrompleasanttoyou，andwhichwillforcetheworthymanyouaredeceivingtoopenhiseyes；forIhavenotchangedmyopinion，asIhavetoomanyproofsofyourunderstandingwithhiswife。AsIdonotdesirethatweshouldmeetagain，IshallgotoLucerneonthepretextoffamilyconcerns。Letmeknowthatyouhavegotthisletter。"
　　"Iamsorry，"Isaid，"tohavesentLeDuc，astheharpyisviolent，andIamafraidofsomethinghappeningtohim。"
　　"Don’tbeafraid，"shereplied，"nothingwillhappen，anditisbetterthattheyshouldseeeachother；itmakesitmorecertain。
　　Sendherthemoneydirectly；shewillhavetogiveittohimherself，andyourvengeancewillbecomplete。Shewillnotbeabletoentertaintheslightestsuspicion，especiallyifLeDucshewsherherwork，andintwoorthreehoursyouwillhavethepleasureofhearingeverythingfromhislips。Youhavereasontoblessyourstars，asthehonourofthewomanyouloveissafe。Theonlythingthatcantroubleyouistheremembranceofthewidow’sfoulembraces，andthecertaintythattheprostitutehascommunicatedhercomplainttoyou。
　　Nevertheless，Ihopeitmayproveaslightattackandbeeasilycured。Aninveterateleucorrhoeaisnotexactlyavenerealdisease，andIhaveheardpeopleinLondonsaythatitwasrarelycontagious。
　　WeoughttobeverythankfulthatsheisgoingtoLucerne。Laughandbethankful；thereiscertainlyacomictouchinourdrama。"
　　"Unfortunately，itistragi—comic。Iknowthehumanheart，andIamsurethatImusthaveforfeitedMadame’saffections。"
　　"Itistruethat————；butthisisnotthetimetobethinkingofsuchmatters。Quick！writetoherbrieflyandreturnherthetwenty—fiveLouis。"
　　Myreplywasasfollows:
　　"Yourunworthysuspicions，yourabominabledesignofrevenge，andtheimpudentletteryouwroteme，aretheonlycausesofyournodoubtbitterrepentance。Ihopethatitwillrestorepeacetoyourconscience。Ourmessengershavecrossed，throughnofaultofmine。
　　Isendyouthetwenty—fiveLouis；youcangivethemtothemanyourself。Icouldnotpreventmyservantfrompayingyouavisit，butthistimeyouwillnotkeephimtwohours，andyouwillnotfinditdifficulttoappeasehisanger。Iwishyouagoodjourney，andI
　　shallcertainlyfleealloccasionsofmeetingyou，forIalwaysavoidthehorrible；andyoumustknow，odiouswoman，thatitisn’teverybodywhoendeavourstoruinthereputationoftheirfriends。
　　IfyouseetheapostolicnuncioatLucerne，askhimaboutme，andhewilltellyouwhatsortofareputationIhaveinEurope。IcanassureyouthatLeDuchasonlyspokentomeofhismisadventure，andthatifyoutreathimwellhewillbediscreet，ashecertainlyhasnothingtoboastof。Farewell。"
　　MydearMinervaapprovedofthisletter，andIsentitwiththemoneybythemessenger。
　　"Thepieceisnotyetdone，"saidmyhousekeeper，"wehavethreescenesmore:"
　　"Whatarethey？"
　　"ThereturnofyourSpaniard，theappearanceofthedisease，andtheastonishmentofMadamewhenshehearsitall。"
　　IcountedthemomentsforLeDuctoreturn，butinvain；hedidnotappear。Iwasinastateofgreatanxiety，althoughmydearDuboiskepttellingmethattheonlyreasonhewasawaysolongwasthatthewidowwasout。Somepeoplearesohappilyconstitutedthattheyneveradmitthepossibilityofmisfortune。Iwaslikethatmyselftilltheageofthirty，whenIwasputundertheLeads。NowIamgettingintomydotageandlookonthedarksideofeverything。Iaminvitedtoawedding，andseenoughtbutgloom；andwitnessingthecoronationofLeopold，atPrague，Isaytomyself，’Nolocoronari’。
　　Cursedoldage，thouartonlyworthyofdwellinginhell，asothersbeforemehavethoughtalso，’tristisquesenectus’。
　　Abouthalf—pastninemyhousekeeperlookedout，andsawLeDucbythemoonlightcomingalongatagoodpace。Thatnewsrevivedme。Ihadnolightintheroom，andmyhousekeeperrantohideintherecess，forshewouldnothavemissedawordoftheSpaniard’scommunication。
　　"Iamdyingofhunger，"saidhe，ashecamein。"Ihadtowaitforthatwomantillhalf—pastsix。Whenshecameinshefoundmeonthestairsandtoldmetogoaboutmybusiness，asshehadnothingtosaytome。
　　"’Thatmaybe，fairlady，’Ireplied；’butIhaveafewwordstosaytoyou，andIhavebeenwaitinghereforacursedtimewiththatintent。’
　　"’Waitaminute，’shereplied；andthenputtingintoherpocketapacketandaletterwhichIthoughtwasaddressedinyourwriting，shetoldmetofollowher。AssoonasIgottoherroom，Isawtherewasnooneelsepresent，andItoldherthatshehadinfectedme，andthatIwantedthewherewithaltopaythedoctor。AsshesaidnothingIproceededtoconvinceherofmyinfectedstate，butsheturnedawayherhead，andsaid，——
　　"’Haveyoubeenwaitingformelong？
　　"’Sinceeleven，withouthavinghadabiteorasup。’
　　"Thereuponshewentout，andafteraskingtheservant，whomIsupposeshehadsenthere，whattimehehadcomeback，shereturnedtome，shutthedoor，andgavemethepacket，tellingmethatitcontainedtwenty—fiveLouisformycure，andthatifIvaluedmylifeIwouldkeepsilenceinthematter。Ipromisedtobediscreet，andwiththatIlefthere，andhereIam。
　　"Doesthepacketbelongtome？"
　　"Certainly。Havesomesupperandgotobed。"
　　MydearDuboiscameoutofherrecessandembracedme，andwespentahappyevening。NextmorningInoticedthefirstsymptomsofthediseasethehatefulwidowhadcommunicatedtome，butinthreeorfourdaysIfounditwasofaveryharmlesscharacter，andaweeklaterIwasquiteridofit。MypoorSpaniard，ontheotherhand，wasinapitiablecase。
　　IpassedthewholeofthenextmorninginwritingtoMadame。ItoldhercircumstantiallyallIhaddone，inspiteofmypromisetoconsulther，andIsenthercopiesofalltheletterstoconvinceherthatourenemyhadgonetoLucernewiththeideathathervengeancehadbeenonlyanimaginaryone。ThusIshewedherthatherhonourwasperfectlysafe。IendedbytellingherthatIhadnoticedthefirstsymptomsofthedisease，butthatIwascertainofgettingridofitinaveryfewdays。Isentmyletterthroughhernurse，andintwodays’timeIhadafewlinesfromherinformingmethatIshouldseeherinthecourseoftheweekincompanywithherhusbandandM。deChavigni。
　　UnhappyI！Iwasobligedtorenounceallthoughtsoflove，butmyDubois，whowaswithmenearlyalldayonaccountofLeDuc’sillness，begantostandmeingoodstead。ThemoreIdeterminedtobeonlyafriendtoher，themoreIwastakenwithher；anditwasinvainthatItoldmyselfthatfromseeingherwithoutanylove—makingmysentimentforherwoulddieanaturaldeath。Ihadmadeherapresentofaring，tellingherthatwhenevershewantedtogetridofitIwouldgiveherahundredlouisforit；butthiscouldonlyhappenintimeofneed——animpossiblecontingencywhileshecontinuedwithme，andIhadnoideaofsendingheraway。Shewasnaturalandsincere，endowedwithareadywitandgoodreasoningpowers。Shehadneverbeeninlove，andshehadonlymarriedtopleaseLadyMontagu。
　　Sheonlywrotetohermother，andtopleaseherIreadtheletters。
　　Theywerefulloffilialpiety，andwereadmirablywritten。
　　Onedaythefancytookmetoasktoreadthelettershermotherwroteinreply。"Sheneverreplies，"saidshe，"Foranexcellentreason，namely，thatshecannotwrite。IthoughtshewasdeadwhenIcamebackfromEngland，anditwasahappysurprisetofindherinperfecthealthwhenIgottoLausanne。"
　　"WhocamewithyoufromEngland？"
　　"Nobody。"
　　"Ican’tcreditthat。Young，beautiful，welldressed，obligedtoassociatecasuallywithallkindsofpeople，youngmenandprofligates（fortherearesucheverywhere），howdidyoumanagetodefendyourself？"
　　"Defendmyself？Ineverneededtodoso。Thebestplanforayoungwomanisnevertostareatanyman，topretendnottohearcertainquestionsandcertainlynottoanswerthem，tosleepbyherselfinaroomwherethereisalockandkey，orwiththelandladywhenpossible。Whenagirlhastravellingadventures，onemaysafelysaythatshehascourtedthem，foritiseasytobediscreetinallcountriesifonewishes。"
　　Shespokejustly。Sheassuredmethatshehadneverhadanadventureandhadnevertripped，asshewasfortunateenoughnottobeofanamorousdisposition。Hernaivestories，herfreedomfromprudery，andhersalliesfullofwitandgoodsense，amusedmefrommorningtillnight，andwesometimesthouedeachother；thiswasgoingratherfar，andshouldhaveshewnusthatwewereonthebrinkoftheprecipice。ShetalkedwithmuchadmirationofthecharmsofMadame，andshewedtheliveliestinterestinmystoriesofamorousadventure。
　　WhenIgotonriskyground，IwouldmakeasifIwouldfainspareherallunseemlydetails，butshebeggedmesogracefullytohidenothing，thatIfoundmyselfobligedtosatisfyher；butwhenmydescriptionsbecamesofaithfulasalmosttosetusonfire，shewouldburstintoalaugh，putherhandovermymouth，andflylikeahuntedgazelletoherroom，andthenlockherselfin。OnedayI
　　askedherwhyshedidso，andsheanswered，"TohinderyoufromcomingtoaskmeforwhatIcouldnotrefuseyouatsuchmoments。"
　　ThedaybeforethatonwhichM。andMadameandM。deChavignicametodinewithme，sheaskedmeifIhadhadanyamorousadventuresinHolland。ItoldheraboutEsther，andwhenIcametothemoleandmyinspectionofit，mycharmingcuriosityrantostopmymouth，hersidesshakingwithlaughter。Iheldhergentlytome，andcouldnothelpseekingwhethershehadamoleinthesameplace，towhichsheopposedbutafeebleresistance。Iwaspreventedbymyunfortunateconditionfromimmolatingthevictimonthealtaroflove，soweconfinedourselvestoamake—believecombatwhichonlylastedaminute；however，oureyestookinit，andourexcitedfeelingswerebynomeansappeased。Whenwehaddoneshesaid，laughing，butyetdiscreetly，——
　　"Mydearfriend，weareinlovewithoneanother；andifwedonottakecareweshallnotlongbecontentwiththistrifling。"
　　Sighingasshespoke，shewishedmegoodnightandwenttobedwithheruglylittlemaid。Thiswasthefirsttimewehadallowedourselvestobeovercomebytheviolenceofourpassion，butthefirststepwastaken。AsIretiredtorestIfeltthatIwasinlove，andforesawthatIshouldsoonbeundertheruleofmycharminghousekeeper。
　　M。andMadame——andM。Chavignigaveusanagreeablesurprise，thenextday，bycomingtodinewithus，andwepassedthetimetilldinnerbywalkinginthegarden。MydearDuboisdidthehonoursofthetable，andIwasgladtoseethatmytwomaleguestsweredelightedwithher，fortheydidnotleaveherforamomentduringtheafternoon，andIwasthusenabledtotellmycharmerallIhadwrittentoher。NeverthelessItookcarenottosayawordaboutthesharemyhousekeeperhadhadinthematter，formymistresswouldhavebeenmortifiedatthethoughtthatherweaknesswasknowntoher。
　　"Iwasdelightedtoreadyourletters，"saidshe，"andtohearthatthatvillainouswomancannolongerflatterherselfuponhavingspenttwohourswithyou。Buttellme，howcanyouhaveactuallyspentthemwithherwithoutnoticing，inspiteofthedark，thedifferencebetweenherandme？Sheismuchshorter，muchthinner，andtenyearsolder。Besides，herbreathisdisagreeable，andIthinkyouknowthatIhavenotthatdefect。Certainly，youcouldnotseeherhair，butyoucouldtouch，andyetyounoticednothing！Icanscarcelybelieveit！"
　　"Unhappily，itisonlytootrue。Iwasinebriatedwithlove，andthinkingonlyofyou，Isawnothingbutyou。"
　　"Iunderstandhowstrongtheimaginationwouldbeatfirst，butthiselementshouldhavebeenmuchdiminishedafterthefirstorsecondassault；and，aboveall，becauseshediffersfrommeinamatterwhichIcannotconcealandshecannotsupply。"
　　"Youareright——aburstofVenus！WhenIthinkthatIonlytouchedtwodanglingflabbybreasts，IfeelasifIdidnotdeservetolive！"
　　"Andyoufeltthem，andtheydidnotdisgustyou！"
　　"CouldIbedisgusted，couldIevenreflect，whenIfeltcertainthatIheldyouinmyarms，youforwhomIwouldgivemylife。No，aroughskin，astinkingbreath，andafortificationcarriedwithfartoomuchease；nothingcouldmoderatemyamorousfury。"
　　"WhatdoIhear？Accursedanduncleanwoman，nestofimpurities！
　　Andcouldyouforgivemeallthesedefects？"
　　"Irepeat，theideathatIpossessedyoudeprivedmeofmythinkingfaculties；allseemedtomedivine。"
　　"Youshouldhavetreatedmelikeacommonprostitute，youshouldevenhavebeatenmeonfindingmesuchasyoudescribe。"
　　"Ah！nowyouareunjust"
　　"Thatmaybe；Iamsoenragedagainstthatmonsterthatmyangerdeprivesmeofreason。Butnowthatshethinksthatshehadtodowithaservant，andafterthedegradingvisitshehashadsheoughttodieofrageandshame。Whatastonishesmeisherbelievingit，forheisshorterthanyoubyfourinches。Andhowcansheimaginethataservantwoulddoitaswellasyou？It’snotlikely。Iamsuresheisinlovewithhimnow。Twenty—fivelouis！Hewouldhavebeencontentwithten。Whatagoodthingthatthepoorfellow’sillnesshappenedsoconveniently。ButIsupposeyouhadtotellhimall？"
　　"Notatall。Igavehimtounderstandthatshehadmadeanappointmentwithmeinthatroom，andthatIhadreallyspenttwohourswithher，notspeakingforfearofbeingheard。Then，thinkingovertheordersIgavehim，hecametotheconclusionthatonfindingmyselfdiseasedafterwardsIwasdisgusted，andbeingabletodisavowmypresenceIhaddonesoforthesakeofrevenge。"
　　"That’sadmirable，andtheimpudenceoftheSpaniardpassesallbelief。Butherimpudenceisthemostastonishingthingofall。Butsupposingherillnesshadbeenameretricktofrightenyou，whatarisktherascalwouldhaverun！"
　　"Iwasafraidofthat，asIhadnosymptomsofdiseasewhatever。"
　　"Butnowyoureallyhaveit，andallthroughmyfault。Iamindespair。"