"Becalm，myangel，mydiseaseisofaverytriflingnature。Iamonlytakingnitre，andinaweekIshallbequitewellagain。Ihopethatthen……"
　　"Ah！mydearfriend。"
　　"What？"
　　"Don’tletusthinkofthatanymore，Ibeseechyou。"
　　"Youaredisgusted，andnotunnaturally；butyourlovecannotbeverystrong，Ah！howunhappyIam。"
　　"Iammoreunhappythanyou。Iloveyou，andyouwouldbethanklessindeedifyouceasedtoloveme。Letusloveeachother，butletusnotendeavourtogiveoneanotherproofsofourlove。Itmightbefatal。Thataccursedwidow！Sheisgoneaway，andinafortnightweshallbegoingalsotoBale，whereweremaintilltheendofNovember。"
　　Thedieiscast，andIseethatImustsubmittoyourdecision，orrathertomydestiny，fornonebutfataleventshavebefallenmesinceIcametoSwitzerland。MyonlyconsolingthoughtisthatI
　　havemadeyourhonoursafe。"
　　"Youhavewonmyhusband’sfriendshipandesteem；weshallalwaysbegoodfriends。"
　　"IfyouaregoingIfeelthatImustgobeforeyou。Thatwilltendtoconvincethewretchedauthorofmywoethatthereisnothingblame—worthyinmyfriendshipforyou。"
　　"Youreasonlikeanangel，andyouconvincememoreandmoreofyourlove。Whereareyougoing？"
　　"ToItaly；butIshalltakeBerneandGenevaonmyway。"
　　"YouwillnotbecomingtoBale，then？Iamgladtohearit，inspiteofthepleasureitwouldgivemetoseeyou。Nodoubtyourarrivalwouldgiveahandleforthegossips，andImightsufferbyit。Butifpossible，inthefewdaysyouaretoremain，shewyourselftobeingoodspirits，forsadnessdoesnotbecomeyou。"
　　WerejoinedtheambassadorandM。————whohadnothadtimetothinkaboutus，asmydearDuboishadkeptthemamusedbyherlivelyconversation。IreproachedherforthewayinwhichshehusbandedherwitasfarasIwasconcerned，andM。deChavigni，seizingtheopportunity，toldusitwasbecausewewereinlove，andloversareknowntobecharyoftheirwords。Myhousekeeperwasnotlonginfindingarepartee，andsheagainbegantoentertainthetwogentlemen，sothatIwasenabledtocontinuemywalkwithMadame，whosaid，——
　　"Yourhousekeeper，mydearfriend，isamasterpiece。Tellmethetruth，andIpromisetogiveyouamarkofmygratitudethatwillpleaseyoubeforeIgo。"
　　"Speak；whatdoyouwishtoknow？"
　　"Youloveherandshelovesyouinreturn。"
　　"Ithinkyouareright，butsofar……"
　　"Idon’twanttoknowanymore，forifmattersarenotyetarrangedtheysoonwillbe，andsoitcomestothesamething。IfyouhadtoldmeyoudidnotloveherIshouldnothavebelievedyou，forI
　　can’tconceivethatamanofyouragecanlivewithawomanlikethatwithoutlovingher。Sheisveryprettyandexceedinglyintelligent，shehasgoodspirits，talents，anexcellentmanner，andshespeaksexceedinglywell:thatisenoughtocharmyou，andIexpectyouwillfinditdifficulttoseparatefromher。Lebeldidherabadturninsendinghertoyou，assheusedtohaveanexcellentreputation，andnowshewillnolongerbeabletogetaplacewithladiesinthehighestsociety。"
　　"IshalltakehertoBerne。"
　　"Thatisagoodidea。"
　　JustastheyweregoingIsaidthatIshouldsoonbecomingtoSoleuretothankthemforthedistinguishedreceptiontheyhadgivenme，asIproposedleavinginafewdays。TheideaofneverseeingMadameagainwassopainfultomethatassoonasIgotinIwenttobed，andmyhousekeeper，respectingmymelancholy，retiredafterwishingmegood—night。
　　IntwoorthreedaysIreceivedanotefrommycharmer，biddingmecalluponthemthedayfollowingataboutteno’clock，andtellingmeIwastoaskfordinner。Icarriedoutherorderstotheletter。
　　M。gavemeamostfriendlyreception，butsayingthathewasobligedtogointothecountryandcouldnotbehometilloneo’clock，hebeggedmenottobeoffendedifhedeliveredmeovertohiswifeforthemorning。Suchisthefateofamiserablehusband！Hiswifewasengagedwithayounggirlattambour—work；Iacceptedhercompanyontheconditionthatshewouldnotallowmetodisturbherwork。
　　Thegirlwentawayatnoon，andsoonafterwewenttoenjoythefreshairoutsidethehouse。Wesatinasummer—housefromwhich，ourselvesunseen，wecouldseeallthecarriagesthatapproachedthehouse。
　　"Why，dearest，didyounotprocuremetheblisswhenIwasingoodhealth。"
　　"Becauseatthattimemyhusbandsuspectedthatyouturnedyourselfintoawaiterformysake，andthatyoucouldnotbeindifferenttowardsme。Yourdiscretionhasdestroyedhissuspicions；andalsoyourhousekeeper，whomhebelievestobeyourwife，andwhohastakenhisfancytosuchanextent，thatIbelievehewouldwillinglyconsenttoanexchange，forafewdaysatanyrate。Wouldyouagree？"
　　"Ah！iftheexchangecouldbeeffected。"
　　Havingonlyanhourbeforeme，andforeseeingthatitwouldbethelastIshouldpassbesideher，Ithrewmyselfatherfeet。Shewasfullofaffection，andputnoobstaclesinthewayofmydesires，savethosewhichmyownfeelingsdictated，forIlovedhertoowelltoconsenttoinjureherhealth。IdidallIcouldtoreplacetheutmostbliss，butthepleasuresheenjoyeddoubtlessconsistedinagreatmeasureinshewingmehersuperioritytothehorriblewidow。
　　Whenwesawthehusband’scarriagecoming，weroseandtookcarethattheworthymanshouldnotfindusinthearbour。Hemadeathousandexcusesfornothavingreturnedsooner。
　　Wehadanexcellentdinner，andattablehetalkedalmostentirelyofmyhousekeeper，andheseemedmovedwhenIsaidImeanttotakehertoLausannetohermother。Itookleaveofthematfiveo’clockwithabrokenheart，andfromthereIwenttoM。deChavigniandtoldhimallmyadventures。Hehadarighttobetold，ashehaddoneallinhispowertoinsurethesuccessofaprojectwhichhadonlyfailedbyanunexampledfatality。
　　InadmirationofmydearDubois’swit——forIdidnotconcealthepartsheplayedhesaidthatoldashewasheshouldthinkhimselfquitehappyifhehadsuchawomanwithhim，andhewasmuchpleasedwhenI
　　toldhimthatIwasinlovewithher。"Don’tgiveyourselfthetrouble，mydearCasanova，ofrunningfromhousetohousetotakeleave，"saidtheamiablenobleman。"Itcanbedonejustaswellattheassembly，andyouneednotevenstaytosupper，ifyoudon’twantto。"
　　Ifollowedhisadvice，andthussawagainMadameasIthought，forthelasttime，butIwaswrong；Isawhertenyearsafterwards；andatthepropertimethereaderwillseewhere，when，how，andunderwhatcircumstances。
　　Beforegoingaway，Ifollowedtheambassadortohisroomtothankhimashedeserved，forhiskindness，andtoaskhimtogivemealetterofintroductionforBerne，whereIthoughtofstayingafortnight。
　　IalsobeggedhimtosendLebeltomethatwemightsettleouraccounts。HetoldmethatLebelshouldbringmealetterforM。deMuralt，theMayorofThun。
　　WhenIgothome，feelingsadonthis，theeveofmyleavingatownwhereIhadbuttriflingvictoriesandheavylosses，Ithankedmyhousekeeperforwaitingforme，andtogiveheragoodnightItoldherthatinthreedaysweshouldsetoutforBerne，andthatmymailsmustbepacked。
　　Nextday，afterasomewhatsilentbreakfast，shesaid，——
　　"Youwilltakemewithyou，won’tyou？"
　　"Certainly，ifyoulikemewellenoughtowanttogo。"
　　"Iwouldgowithyoutotheendoftheworld，allthemoreasyouarenowsickandsad，andwhenIsawyoufirstyouwereblitheandwell。
　　IfImustleaveyou，Ihopeatleasttoseeyouhappyfirst。"
　　ThedoctorcameinjustthentotellmethatmypoorSpaniardwassoillthathecouldnotleavehisbed。
　　"IwillhavehimcuredatBerne，"saidI；"tellhimthatwearegoingtodinetherethedayafterto—morrow。"
　　"Imusttellyou，sir，thatthoughit’sonlyasevenleagues’
　　journey，hecannotpossiblyundertakeitashehaslosttheuseofallhislimbs。"
　　"Iamsorrytohearthat，doctor。"
　　"Idaresay，butit’strue。"
　　"Imustverifythematterwithmyowneyes；"andsosayingIwenttoseeLeDuc。
　　Ifoundthepoorrascal，asthedoctorhadsaid，incapableofmotion。
　　Hehadonlytheuseofhistongueandhiseyes。
　　"Youareinaprettystate，"saidItohim。
　　"Iamveryill，sir，thoughotherwiseIfeelquitewell。"
　　"Iexpectso，butasitisyoucan’tmove，andIwanttodineatBernethedayafterto—morrow。"
　　"Havemecarriedthere，Ishallgetcured。"
　　"Youareright，Iwillhaveyoucarriedinalitter。"
　　"Ishalllooklikeasaintoutforawalk。"
　　Itoldoneoftheservantstolookafterhim，andtoseetoallthatwasnecessaryforourdeparture。Ihadhimtakentothe"Falcon"bytwohorseswhodrewhislitter。
　　LebelcameatnoonandgavemetheletterhismasterhadwrittenforM。deMurat。HebroughthisreceiptsandIpaideverythingwithoutobjection，asIfoundhimanentirelyhonestman，andIhadhimtodinnerwithMadameDuboisandmyself。Ididnotfeeldisposedtotalk，andIwasgladtoseethattheygotonwithoutme；theytalkedawayadmirablyandamusedme，forLebelwasbynomeanswantinginwit。HesaidhewasverygladIhadgivenhimanopportunityofknowingthehousekeeper，ashecouldnotsayhehadknownherbefore，havingonlyseenhertwoorthreetimesinpassingthroughLausanne。
　　Onrisingfromthetableheaskedmypermissiontowritetoher，andshe，puttinginhervoice，calledonhimnottoforgettodoso。
　　Lebelwasagood—naturedman，ofanhonestappearance，andapproachinghisfiftiethyear。Justashewasgoing，withoutaskingmyleave，heembracedherintheFrenchfashion，andsheseemednottohavetheslightestobjection。
　　Shetoldmeassoonashewasgonethatthisworthymanmightbeusefultoher，andthatshewasdelightedtoenterintoacorrespondencewithhim。
　　Thenextdaywasspentinputtingeverythinginorderforourshortjourney，andLeDucwentoffinhislitter，intendingtorestforthenightatfourleaguesfromSoleure。Onthedayfollowing，afterI
　　hadrememberedthedoor—keeper，thecook，andtheman—servantIwasleavingbehind，IsetoutinmycarriagewiththecharmingDubois，andateleveno’clockIarrivedattheinnatBerne，whereLeDuchadprecededmebytwohours。Inthefirstplace，knowingthehabitsofSwissinnkeepers，Imadeanagreementwiththelandlord；andIthentoldtheservantIhadkept，whocamefromBerne，totakecareofLeDuc，toputhimundergoodmedicalsuperintendence，andtobidthedoctorsparenothingtocurehimcompletely。
　　Idinedwithmyhousekeeperinherroom，forshehadaseparatelodging，andaftersendingmylettertoM。deMuraltIwentoutforawalk。
　　CHAPTERXVII
　　Berne——LaMataMadamedelaSaone——Sara——MyDeparture——ArrivalatBaleIreachedanelevationfromwhichIcouldlookoveravaststretchofcountrywateredbyalittleriver，andnoticingapathleadingtoakindofstair，thefancytookmetofollowit。Iwentdownaboutahundredsteps，andfoundfortysmallclosetswhichIconcludedwerebathingmachines。WhileIwaslookingattheplaceanhonest—lookingfellowcameuptome，andaskedmeifIwouldlikeabath。IsaidI
　　would，andheopenedoneoftheclosets，andbeforelongIsurroundedbyacrowdofyounggirls。
　　"Sir，"saidtheman，"theyallaspiretothehonourofattendingyouwhileyoubathe；youhaveonlytochoosewhichitshallbe。Half—a—
　　crownwillpayforthebath，thegirl，andyourcoffee。"
　　AsifIweretheGrandTurk，Iexaminedtheswarmofrusticbeauties，andthrewmyhandkerchiefattheoneIlikedthebest。Wewentintoacloset，andshuttingthedoorwiththemostseriousair，withoutevenlookingatme，sheundressedme，andputacottoncaponmyhead，andassoonasshesawmeinthewatersheundressedherselfascoollyaspossible，andwithoutawordcameintothebath。Thensherubbedmeallover，exceptinacertainquarter，whichIhadcoveredwithmyhands。WhenIthoughtIhadbeenmanipulatedsufficiently，I
　　askedforcoffee。Shegotoutofthebath，openedthedoor，andafteraskingforwhatIwantedgotinagainwithouttheslightestconsciousness。
　　Whenthecoffeecameshegotoutagaintotakeit，shutthedoor，andreturnedtothebath，andheldthetraywhileIwasdrinking，andwhenIhadfinishedsheremainedbesideme。
　　AlthoughIhadtakennogreatnoticeofher，Icouldseethatshepossessedallthequalificationsamancoulddesireinawoman:finefeatures，livelyeyes，aprettymouth，andanexcellentrowofteeth，ahealthycomplexion，awell—roundedbosomacurvedback，andallelseinthesamesort。Icertainlythoughtherhandsmighthavebeensofter，buttheirhardnesswasprobablyduetohardwork。
　　Furthermore，shewasonlyeighteen，andyetIremainedcoldtoallhercharms。Howwasthat？ThatwasthequestionIaskedmyself；
　　andIthinkthereasonprobablywasthatshewastoonatural，toodevoidofthoseassumedgracesandcoquettishairswhichwomenemploywithsomuchartfortheseductionofmen。Weonlycareforartificeandfalseshow。Perhaps，too，oursenses，tobeirritated，requirewoman’scharmstobeveiledbymodesty。Butif，accustomedaswearetoclotheourselves，thefaceisthesmallestfactorinourperfecthappiness，howisitthatthefaceplaystheprincipalpartinrenderingamanamorous？Whydowetakethefaceasanindexofawoman’sbeauty，andwhydoweforgiveherwhenthecoveredpartsarenotinharmonywithherfeatures？Woulditnotbemuchmorereasonableandsensibletoveiltheface，andtohavetherestofthebodynaked？Thuswhenwefallinlovewithawoman，weshouldonlywant，asthecrownofourbliss，toseeafaceanswerabletothoseothercharmswhichhadtakenourfancy。Therecanbenodoubtthatthatwouldbethebetterplan，asinthatcaseweshouldonlybeseducedbyaperfectbeauty，andweshouldgrantaneasypardonifattheliftingofthemaskwefounduglinessinsteadofloveliness。
　　Underthosecircumstancesanuglywoman，happyinexercisingtheseductivepowerofherothercharms，wouldneverconsenttounveilherself；whiletheprettyoneswouldnothavetobeasked。Theplainwomenwouldnotmakeussighforlong；theywouldbeeasilysubduedontheconditionofremainingveiled，andiftheydidconsenttounmask，itwouldbeonlyaftertheyhadpracticallyconvincedonethatenjoymentispossiblewithoutfacialbeauty。Anditisevidentandundeniablethatinconstancyonlyproceedsfromthevarietyoffeatures。Ifamandidnotseetheface，hewouldalwaysbeconstantandalwaysinlovewiththefirstwomanwhohadtakenhisfancy。I
　　knowthatintheopinionofthefoolishallthiswillseemfolly，butIshallnotbeontheearthtoanswertheirobjections。
　　WhenIhadleftthebath，shewipedmewithtowels，putonmyshirt，andtheninthesamestate——thatis，quitenaked，shedidmyhair。
　　WhileIwasdressingshedressedherselftoo，andhavingsoonfinishedshecametobucklemyshoes。Ithengaveherhalf—a—crownforthebathandsixfrancsforherself；shekeptthehalf—crown，butgavemebackthesixfrancswithsilentcontempt。Iwasmortified；I
　　sawthatIhadoffendedher，andthatsheconsideredherbehaviourentitledhertorespect。Iwentawayinabadenoughhumour。
　　AftersupperIcouldnothelptellingmydearDuboisoftheadventureIhadhadintheafternoon，andshemadeherowncommentsonthedetails。"Shecan’thavebeenpretty，"saidshe，"forifshehadbeen，youwouldcertainlyhavegivenway。Ishouldliketoseeher。"
　　"IfyoulikeIwilltakeyouthere。"
　　"Ishouldbedelighted。"
　　"Butyouwillhavetodresslikeaman:"
　　Sherose，wentoutwithoutaword，andinaquarterofanhourreturnedinasuitofLeDuc’s，butminusthetrousers，asshehadcertainprotuberanceswhichwouldhavestoodouttoomuchItoldhertotakeapairofmybreeches，andwesettledtogotothebathnextmorning。
　　Shecametowakeatsixo’clock。Shewasdressedlikeaman，andworeablueovercoatwhichdisguisedhershapeadmirably。IroseandwenttoLaMata，astheplaceiscalled。
　　Animatedbythepleasuretheexpeditiongaveher，mydearDuboislookedradiant。Thosewhosawhermusthaveseenthroughherdisguise，shewassoevidentlyawoman；soshewrappedherselfupinherovercoataswellasshecould。
　　Assoonaswearrivedwesawthemasterofthebaths，whoaskedmeifIwantedaclosetforfour，andIrepliedintheaffirmative。Weweresoonsurroundedbythegirls，andIshewedmyhousekeepertheonewhohadnotseducedme；shemadechoiceofher，andIhavingfixeduponabig，determined—lookingwench，weshutourselvesupinthebath。
　　AssoonasIwasundressedIwentintothewaterwithmybigattendant。Myhousekeeperwasnotsoquick；thenoveltyofthethingastonishedher，andherexpressiontoldmethatsherepentedofhavingcome；butputtingagoodfaceonit，shebegantolaughatseeingmerubbedbythefemininegrenadier。Shehadsometroublebeforeshecouldtakeoffherchemise，butasitisonlythefirststepthatcosts，sheletitfalloff，andthoughsheheldhertwohandsbeforehershedazzledme，inspiteofmyself，bythebeautyofherform。Herattendantpreparedtotreatherasshehadtreatedme，butshebeggedtobeleftalone；andonmyfollowingherexampleshefeltobligedtoletmelookafterher。
　　ThetwoSwissgirls，whohadnodoubtoftenbeenpresentatasimilarsituation，begantogiveusaspectaclewhichwaswellknowntome，butwhichwasquitestrangetomydearDubois。
　　ThesetwoBacchantesbegantoimitatethecaressesIlavishedonmyhousekeeper，whowasquiteastonishedattheamorousfurywithwhichmyattendantplayedthepartofamanwiththeothergirl。IconfessIwasalittlesurprisedmyself，inspiteofthetransportswhichmyfairVenetiannunhadshewnmesixyearsbeforeinconjunctionwithC————C————。
　　Icouldnothaveimaginedthatanythingofthekindcouldhavedistractedmyattention，holding，asIdid，thewomanIloved，whosecharmsweresufficienttocaptivateallthesenses；butthestrangestrifeofthetwoyoungMenadstookupherattentionaswellasmine。
　　"Yourattendant，"saidshe，"mustbeaboy，notagirl。"
　　"But，"saidI，"yousawherbreasts。"
　　"Yes，butshemaybeaboyallthesame。"
　　ThebigSwissgirlwhohadheardwhatwehadsaidturnedroundandshewedmewhatIshouldnothavecredited。Therecouldbenomistake，however。Itwasafemininemembrane，butmuchlongerthanmylittlefinger，andstiffenoughtopenetrate。IexplainedtomydearDuboiswhatitwas，buttoconvinceherIhadtomakehertouchit。Theimpudentcreaturepushedhershamelessnesssofarastooffertotryitonher，andsheinsistedsopassionatelythatIwasobligedtopushheraway。Shethenturnedtohercompanionandsatiatedonherbodyherfuryoflust。Inspiteofitsdisgustingnature，thesightirritatedustosuchadegreethatmyhousekeeperyieldedtonatureandgrantedmeallIcoulddesire。
　　Thisentertainmentlastedfortwohours，andwereturnedtothetownwellpleasedwithoneanother。OnleavingthebathIgaveaLouistoeachofthetwoBacchantes，andwewentawaydeterminedtogotherenomore。Itwillbeunderstoodthatafterwhathadhappenedtherecouldbenofurtherobstacletothefreeprogressofourlove；andaccordinglymydearDuboisbecamemymistress，andwemadeeachotherhappyduringallthetimewespentatBerne。Iwasquitecuredofmymisadventurewiththehorriblewidow，andIfoundthatiflove’spleasuresarefleetingsoareitspains。Iwillgofartherandmaintainthatthepleasuresareofmuchlongerduration，astheyleavememorieswhichcanbeenjoyedinoldage，whereas，ifamandoeshappentorememberthepains，itissoslightlyastohavenoinfluenceuponhishappiness。
　　Atteno’clocktheMayorofThunwasannounced。HewasdressedintheFrenchfashion，inblack，andhadamanneratoncegracefulandpolitethatpleasedme。Hewasmiddle—aged，andenjoyedaconsiderablepositionintheGovernment。HeinsistedonmyreadingtheletterthatM。deChavignihadwrittentohimonmyaccount。ItwassoflatteringthatItoldhimthatifithadnotbeensealedI
　　shouldnothavehadthefacetodeliverit。Heaskedmeforthenextdaytoasuppercomposedofmenonly，andforthedayafterthat，toasupperatwhichwomenaswellasmenwouldbepresent。IwentwithhimtothelibrarywherewesawM。Felix，anunfrockedmonk，moreofascribblerthanascholar，andayoungmannamedSchmidt，whogavegoodpromise，andwasalreadyknowntoadvantageintheliteraryworld。Ialsohadthemisfortuneofmeetinghereaverylearnedmanofaverywearisomekind；heknewthenamesoftenthousandshellsbyheart，andIwasobligedtolistentohimfortwohours，althoughI
　　wastotallyignorantofhisscience。AmongstotherthingshetoldmethattheAarcontainedgold。Irepliedthatallgreatriverscontainedgold，butheshruggedhisshouldersanddidnotseemconvinced。
　　IdinedwithM。deMuraltincompanywithfourorfiveofthemostdistinguishedwomeninBerne。Ilikedthemverywell，andaboveallMadamedeSaconaistruckmeasparticularlyamiableandwell—
　　educated。IshouldhavepaidmyaddressestoherifIhadbeenstayinglongintheso—calledcapitalofSwitzerland。
　　TheladiesofBernearewellthoughnotextravagantlydressed，asluxuryisforbiddenbythelaws。TheirmannersaregoodandtheyspeakFrenchwithperfectease。Theyenjoythegreatestlibertywithoutabusingit，forinspiteofgallantrydecencyreignseverywhere。Thehusbandsarenotjealous，buttheyrequiretheirwivestobehomebysupper—time。
　　Ispentthreeweeksinthetown，mytimebeingdividedbetweenmydearDuboisandanoldladyofeighty—fivewhointerestedmegreatlybyherknowledgeofchemistry。ShehadbeenintimatelyconnectedwiththecelebratedBoerhaave，andsheshewedmeaplateofgoldhehadtransmutedinherpresencefromcopper。IbelievedasmuchasI
　　likedofthis，butsheassuredmethatBoerhaavepossessedthephilosopher’sstone，butthathehadnotdiscoveredthesecretofprolonginglifemanyyearsbeyondthecentury。Boerhaave，however，wasnotabletoapplythisknowledgetohimself，ashediedofapolypusontheheartbeforehehadattainedtheageofperfectmaturity，whichHypocratesfixesatbetweensixtyandseventyyears。
　　Thefourmillionshelefttohisdaughter，iftheydonotprovethathecouldmakegold，certainlyprovethathecouldsaveit。Theworthyoldwomantoldmehehadgivenheramanuscriptinwhichthewholeprocesswasexplained，butthatshefounditveryobscure。
　　"Youshouldpublishit，"saidI。
　　"Godforbid！"
　　"Burnit，then。"
　　"Ican’tmakeupmymindtodoso。"
　　M。deMuralttookmetoseethemilitaryevolutionsgonethroughbythecitizensofBerne，whoareallsoldiers，andIaskedhimthemeaningofthebeartobeseenabovethegateofthetown。TheGermanforbearis’bar’，’bern’，andtheanimalhasgivenitsnametothetownandcantonwhichranksecondintheRepublic，althoughitisinthefirstplaceforitswealthandculture。ItisapeninsulaformedbytheAar，whichrisesneartheRhine。Themayorspoketomeofthepowerofthecanton，itslordshipsandbailiwicks，andexplainedhisownpowers；hethendescribedthepublicpolicy，andtoldmeofthedifferentsystemsofgovernmentwhichcomposetheHelveticUnion。
　　"Iunderstandperfectlywell，"Isaid，"thateachofthethirteencantonshasitsowngovernment。"
　　"Idaresayyoudo，"hereplied，"butwhatyoudon’tunderstandanymorethanIdois，thatthereisacantonwhichhasfourseparategovernments。"
　　Ihadanexcellentsupperwithfourteenorfifteensenators。Therewerenojokes，nofrivolousconversation，andnoliterature；butlaw，thecommonweal，commerce，politicaleconomy，speculation，loveofcountry，andthedutyofpreferringlibertytolife，inabundance。
　　IfeltasifIwereinanewelement，butIenjoyedtheprivilegeofbeingamanamidstmenwhowereallinhonourtoourcommonhumanity。
　　Butasthesupperwenton，theserigidrepublicansbegantoexpand，thediscoursebecamelessmeasured，therewereevensomeburstsoflaughter，owingtothewine。Iexcitedtheirpity，andthoughtheypraisedsobrietytheythoughtmineexcessive。However，theyrespectedmyliberty，anddidnotobligemetodrink，astheRussians，Swedes，Poles，andmostnorthernpeoplesdo。
　　Wepartedatmidnight——averylatehourinSwitzerland，andastheywishedmeagoodnight，eachofthemmademeasincereofferofhisfriendship。Oneofthecompanyatanearlyperiodofthesupper，beforehehadbeguntogetmellow，hadcondemnedtheVenetianRepublicforbanishingtheGrisons，butonhisintellectbeingenlightenedbyBacchushemadehisapologies。
　　"Everygovernment，"saidhe，"oughttoknowitsowninterestsbetterthanstrangers，andeverybodyshouldbeallowedtodowhathewillswithhisown。"
　　WhenIgothomeIfoundmyhousekeeperlyinginmybed。Igaveherahundredcaressesinwitnessofmyjoy，andIassuredherpracticallyofmyloveandgratitude。Iconsideredherasmywife，wecherishedeachother，anddidnotallowthethoughtofseparatingtoenterourminds。Whentwoloversloveeachotherinallfreedom，theideaofpartingseemsimpossible。
　　NextmorningIgotaletterfromtheworthyMadamed’Urfe，whobeggedmetocallonMadamedelaSaone，wifeofafriendofhers——alieutenant—general。ThisladyhadcometoBerneinthehopeofgettingcuredofadiseasewhichhaddisfiguredherinanincrediblemanner。MadamedelaSaonewasimmediatelyintroducedtoallthebestsocietyintheplace。Shegaveasuppereveryday，onlyaskingmen；shehadanexcellentcook。Shehadgivennoticethatshewouldpaynocalls，andshewasquiteright。Ihastenedtomakemybowtoher；but，goodHeavens！whataterribleandmelancholysightdidI
　　behold！
　　Isawawomandressedwiththeutmostelegance，recliningvoluptuouslyuponacouch。Assoonasshesawmeshearose，gavemeamostgraciousreception，andgoingbacktohercouchinvitedmetositbesideher。Shedoubtlessnoticedmysurprise，butbeingprobablyaccustomedtotheimpressionwhichthefirstsightofhercreated，shetalkedoninthemostfriendlymanner，andbysodoingdiminishedmyaversion。
　　Herappearancewasasfollows:MadamedeSaonewasbeautifullydressed，andhadthewhitesthandsandtheroundestarmsthatcanbeimagined。Herdress，whichwascutverylow，allowedmetoseeanexquisitebreastofdazzlingwhiteness，heightenedbytworosybuds；
　　herfigurewasgood，andherfeetthesmallestIhaveeverseen。Allaboutherinspiredlove，butwhenone’seyesturnedtoherfaceeveryotherfeelinggavewaytothoseofhorrorandpity。Shewasfearful。
　　Insteadofaface，onesawablackenedanddisgustingscab。Nofeaturewasdistinguishable，andheruglinesswasmademoreconspicuousanddreadfulbytwofineeyesfulloffire，andbyaliplessmouthwhichshekeptparted，asiftodisclosetworowsofteethofdazzlingwhiteness。Shecouldnotlaugh，forthepaincausedbythecontractionofthemuscleswoulddoubtlesshavedrawntearstohereyes；neverthelesssheappearedcontented，herconversationwasdelightful，fullofwitandhumour，andpermeatedwiththetoneofgoodsociety。Shemightbethirtyatthemost，andshehadleftthreebeautifulyoungchildrenbehindinParis。Herhusbandwasafine，well—mademan，wholovedhertenderly，andhadneversleptapartfromher。Itisprobablethatfewsoldiershaveshewnsuchcourageasthis，butitistobesupposedthathedidnotcarryhisbraverysofarastokissher，astheverythoughtmadeoneshudder。Adisordercontractedafterherfirstchild—bedhadleftthepoorwomaninthissadstate，andshehadborneitfortenyears。
　　AllthebestdoctorsinFrancehadtriedinvaintocureher，andshehadcometoBernetoputherselfintothehandsoftwowell—knownphysicianswhohadpromisedtodoso。Everyquackmakespromisesofthissort；theirpatientsarecuredornotcuredasithappens，andprovidedthattheypayheavilythedoctorisreadyenoughtolaythefault，notonhisignorance，butatthedoorofhispoordeludedpatient。
　　ThedoctorcamewhileIwaswithher，andjustasherintelligentconversationwasmakingmeforgetherface。Shehadalreadybegantotakehisremedies，whichwerepartlycomposedofmercury。
　　"Itseemstome，"saidshe，"thattheitchinghasincreasedsinceI
　　havetakenyourmedicines。"
　　"Itwilllast，"saidthesonofAEsculapius，"tilltheendofthecure，andthatwilltakeaboutthreemonths。"
　　"AslongasIscratchmyself，"saidshe，"Ishallbeinthesamestate，andthecurewillneverbecompleted。"
　　Thedoctorrepliedinanevasivemanner。Irosetotakemyleave，andholdingmyhandsheaskedmetosupperonceforall。Iwentthesameevening；thepoorwomantookeverythinganddranksomewine，asthedoctorhadnotputheronanydiet。Isawthatshewouldneverbecured。
　　Hergoodtemperandhercharmingconversationalpowerskeptallthecompanyamused。Iconceivedthatitwouldbepossibletogetusedtoherface，andtolivewithherwithoutbeingdisgusted。IntheeveningItalkedabouthertomyhousekeeper，whosaidthatthebeautyofherbodyandhermentalendowmentsmightbesufficienttoattractpeopletoher。Iagreed，thoughIfeltthatIcouldneverbecomeoneofherlovers。
　　Threeorfourdaysafter，Iwenttoabookseller’storeadthenewspaper，andwaspolitelyaccostedbyafineyoungmanoftwenty，whosaidthatMadamedelaSaonewassorrynottohaveseenmeagainatsupper。
　　"Youknowthelady？"
　　"Ihadthehonourtosupatherhousewithyou。"
　　"True；Irememberyou。"
　　"Igetherthebooksshelikes，asIamabookseller，andnotonlydoIsupwithhereveryevening，butwebreakfasttogethereverymorningbeforeshegetsup。"
　　"Icongratulateyou。Ibetyouareinlovewithher。"
　　"Youarepleasedtojest，butsheispleasanterthanyouthink。"
　　"Idonotjestatall，butIwouldwagershewouldnothavethecouragetopushthingstoanextremity。"
　　"Perhapsyouwouldlose。"
　　"Really？Ishouldbeverygladto。"
　　"Letusmakeabet。"
　　"HowwillyouconvincemeIhavelost？"
　　"Letusbetalouis，andyoumustpromisetobediscreet。"
　　"Verygood。"
　　"Comeandsupatherhousethisevening，andIwilltellyousomething。"
　　"Youshallseemethere。"
　　WhenIgothomeItoldmyhousekeeperwhatIhadheard。
　　"Iamcurioustoknow，"saidshe，"howhewillconvinceyou。"I
　　promisedtotellher，whichpleasedherverymuch。
　　Iwasexacttomyappointment。MadamedelaSaonereproachedmepleasantlyformyabsence，andgavemeadelicioussupper。Theyoungbooksellerwasthere，butashissweetheartdidnotspeakawordtohimhesaidnothingandpassedunnoticed。
　　Aftersupperwewentouttogether，andhetoldmeonthewaythatifIlikedhewouldsatisfymethenextmorningateighto’clock。"Callhere，andthelady’smaidwilltellyouhermistressisnotvisible，butyouhaveonlytosaythatyouwillwait，andthatyouwillgointotheante—chamber。Thisroomhasaglassdoorcommandingaviewofmadame’sbed，andIwilltakecaretodrawbackthecurtainsoverthedoorsothatyouwillbeabletoseeatyoureaseallthatpassesbetweenus。WhentheaffairisoverIshallgooutbyanotherdoor，shewillcallhermaid，andyouwillbeshewnin。Atnoon，ifyouwillallowme，Iwillbringyousomebookstothe’Falcon，’andifyoufindthatyouhavelostyoushallpaymemylouis。"Ipromisedtocarryouthisdirections，andweparted。
　　Iwascurioustoseewhatwouldhappen，thoughIbynomeansregardeditasanimpossibility；andonmypresentingmyselfateighto’clock，themaidletmeinassoonasIsaidthatIcouldwait。Ifoundacorneroftheglassdoorbeforewhichtherewasnocurtain，andonapplyingmyeyetotheplaceIsawmyyoungadventurerholdinghisconquestinhisarmsonthebed。Anenormousnightcapentirelyconcealedherface——anexcellentprecautionwhichfavouredthebookseller’senterprise。
　　WhentherascalsawthatIhadtakenupmyposition，hedidnotkeepmewaiting，for，gettingup，hepresentedtomydazzledgaze，notonlythesecrettreasuresofhissweetheart，buthisownalso。Hewasasmallman，butwheretheladywasmostconcernedhewasaHercules，andtherogueseemedtomakeaparadeofhisproportionsasiftoexcitemyjealousy。HeturnedhisvictimroundsothatI
　　shouldseeherunderallaspects，andtreatedhermanfully，whilesheappearedtorespondtohisardourwithallhermight。PhidiascouldnothavemodelledhisVenusonafinerbody；herformwasroundedandvoluptuous，andaswhiteasParianmarble。Iwasaffectedinalivelymannerbythespectacle，andre—enteredmylodgingsoinflamedthatifmydearDuboishadnotbeenathandtoquenchmyfireI
　　shouldhavebeenobligedtohaveextinguisheditinthebathsofLaMata。
　　WhenIhadtoldhermytaleshewantedtoknowtheheroofit，andatnoonshehadthatpleasure。TheyoungbooksellerbroughtmesomebooksIhadordered，andwhilepayinghimforthemIgavehimourbetandaLouisoverandaboveasamarkofmysatisfactionathisprowess。HetookitwithasmilewhichseemedtoshewthathethoughtIoughttothinkmyselfluckytohavelost。Myhousekeeperlookedathimforsometime，andaskedifheknewher；hesaidhedidnot。
　　"Isawyouwhenyouwereachild，"saidshe。"YouarethesonofM。
　　Mignard，ministeroftheGospel。YoumusthavebeentenwhenIsawyou。"
　　"Possibly，madam。"
　　"Youdidnotcaretofollowyourfather’sprofession，then？"
　　"Nomadam，IfeelmuchmoreinclinedtotheworshipofthecreaturethantothatoftheCreator，andIdidnotthinkmyfather’sprofessionwouldsuitme。"
　　"Youareright，foraministeroftheGospeloughttobediscreet，anddiscretionisarestraint。"
　　Thisstrokemadehimblush，butwedidnotgivehimtimetolosecourage。Iaskedhimtodinewithme，andwithoutmentioningthenameofMadamedelaSaonehetoldhisamorousadventuresandnumerousanecdotesabouttheprettywomenofBerne。
　　Afterhehadgone，myhousekeepersaidthatoncewasquiteenoughtoseeayoungmanofhiscomplexion。Iagreedwithher，andhadnomoretodowithhim；butIheardthatMadamedeSaonetookhimtoParisandmadehisfortune。Manyfortunesaremadeinthismanner，andtherearesomewhichoriginatedstillmorenobly。IonlyreturnedtoMadamedelaSaonetotakemyleave，asIshallshortlyrelate。
　　Iwashappywithmycharmer，whotoldmeagainandagainthatwithmeshelivedinbliss。Nofearsordoubtsastothefuturetroubledhermind；shewascertain，asIwas，thatweshouldneverleaveeachother；andshetoldmeshewouldpardonalltheinfidelitiesImightbeguiltyof，providedImadefullconfession。Hers，indeed，wasadispositionwithwhichtoliveinpeaceandcontent，butIwasnotborntoenjoysuchhappiness。
　　AfterwehadbeenafortnightatBerne，myhousekeeperreceivedaletterfromSoleure。ItcamefromLebel。AsIsawshereaditwithgreatattention，Iaskedherwhatitwasabout。
　　"Takeitandreadit，"saidshe；andshesatdowninfrontofmetoreadmysoulbytheplayofmyfeatures。
　　Lebelaskedher，inconciseterms，ifshewouldbecomehiswife。
　　"Ihaveonlyputofftheproposition，"saidhe，"tosetmyaffairsinorder，andtoseeifIcouldaffordtomarryyou，eveniftheconsentoftheambassadorweredeniedus。IfindIamrichenoughtolivewellinBerneorelsewherewithoutthenecessityofmyworking；
　　howeverIshallnothavetofacethealternative，foratthefirsthintofthematterM。deChavignigavehisconsentwiththebestgraceimaginable。"
　　Hewentonbegginghernottokeephimlongwaitingforareply，andtotellhiminthefirstplaceifsheconsented；inthesecond，whethershewouldliketoliveatBerneandbemistressinherownhouse，orwhethershewouldprefertoreturntoSoleureandlivewiththeambassador，whichlatterplanmightbringthemsomeprofit。Heendedbydeclaringthatwhatevershehadwouldbeforhersoleuse，andthathewouldgiveheradowerofahundredthousandfrancs。Hedidnotsayawordaboutme。
　　"Dearest，"saidI，"youareatperfectlibertytochooseyourowncourse，butIcannotcontemplateyourleavingmewithoutconsideringmyselfasthemostunhappyofmen。"
　　"AndifIloseyouIshouldbethemostunhappyofwomen；forifyoulovemeIcarenotwhetherwearemarriedorno。"
　　"Verygood；butwhatanswerareyougoingtomake。"
　　"Youshallseemyletterto—morrow。IshalltellhimpolitelybutplainlythatIloveyou，thatIamyours，thatIamhappy，andthatitisthusimpossibleformetoaccepthisflatteringpropositions。
　　IshallalsosaythatIappreciatehisgenerosity，andthatifIwerewiseIshouldaccepthim，butthatbeingtheslaveofmyloveforyouIcanonlyfollowmyinclination。"
　　"Ithinkyougiveanexcellentturntoyourletter。Inrefusingsuchanofferyoucouldnothavebetterreasonsthanthoseyougive，anditwouldbeabsurdtotryandpersuadehimthatwearenotlovers，asthethingisself—evident。Nevertheless，mydarling，thelettersaddensme。"
　　"Why，dearest？"
　　"BecauseIhavenotahundredthousandfrancstoofferyou。"
　　"Idespisethem；andifyouweretooffermesuchasum，Ishouldonlyacceptittolayitatyourfeet。Youarecertainlynotdestinedtobecomemiserable，butifthatshouldcometopass，besurethatIshouldbeonlytoohappytoshareyourmisery。"
　　Wefellintooneanother’sarms，andlovemadeustasteallitspleasures。Nevertheless，inthemidstofbliss，sometingeofsadnessgaineduponoursouls。Languishingloveseemstoredoubleitsstrength，butitisonlyinappearance；sadnessexhaustslovemorethanenjoyment。Loveisamadcapwhomustbefedonlaughterandmirth，otherwisehediesofinanition。
　　NextdaymysweetheartwrotetoLebelinthesenseshehaddecidedon，andIfeltobligedtowriteM。deChavignialetterinwhichlove，sentiment，andphilosophyweremingled。IdidnotconcealfromhimthatIlovedthewomanwhomLebelcovetedtodistraction，butI
　　saidthatasamanofhonourIwouldratherdiethandeprivemysweetheartofsuchsolidadvantages。
　　Myletterdelightedthehousekeeper，forshewasanxioustoknowwhattheambassadorthoughtoftheaffair，whichneededmuchreflection。
　　IgotonthesamedaythelettersofintroductionIhadaskedMadamed’Urfetogiveme，andIdetermined，tothejoyofmydearDubois，tosetoutforLausanne。Butwemustharkbackalittle。
　　Whenoneissincerelyinlove，onethinksthebelovedobjectfullofdeserts，andthemind，thedupeofthefeelings，thinksalltheworldjealousofitsbliss。
　　A。M。deF————，memberoftheCounciloftheTwoHundred，whomIhadmetatMadamedelaSaone’s，hadbecomemyfriend。HecametoseemeandIintroducedhimtomydearDubois，whomhetreatedwiththesamedistinctionhewouldhaveusedtowardsmywife。Hehadpresentedustohiswife，andhadcomeseveraltimestoseeuswithherandherdaughterSara。Sarawasonlythirteen，butshewasextremelyprecocious，darkcomplexioned，andfullofwit；shewascontinuallyutteringnaivetes，ofwhichsheunderstoodthewholeforce，althoughlookingatherfaceonewouldhavethoughtherperfectlyinnocent。
　　Sheexcelledintheartofmakingherfatherandmotherbelieveinherinnocence，andthussheenjoyedplentyofliberty。
　　Sarahaddeclaredthatshewasinlovewithmyhousekeeper，andasherparentslaughedathershelavishedhercaressesonmydearDubois。Sheoftencametobreakfastwithus，andwhenshefoundusinbedshewouldembracemysweetheart，whomshecalledherwife，passingherhandoverthecoverlettotickleher，tellingherthatshewasherwife，andthatshewantedtohaveachild。Mysweetheartlaughedandlethergoon。
　　OnedayItoldherjokinglythatshewouldmakemejealous，thatI
　　thoughtshereallywasaman，andthatIwasgoingtomakesure。TheslylittlepusstoldmethatIwasmakingamistake，butherhandseemedrathertoguideminethantoopposeit。Thatmademecurious，andmymindwassoonsetatrestastohersex。Perceivingthatshehadtakenmeinandgotexactlywhatshewanted，Idrewbackmyhand，andimpartedmysuspicionstomyhousekeeper，whosaidIwasright。
　　However，asthelittlegirlhadnopartinmyaffections，Ididnotpushthethinganyfarther。
　　Twoorthreedaysafter，thisgirlcameinasIwasgettingup，andsaidinherusualsimpleway，"NowthatyouknowIamnotreallyamanyoucannotbejealousorhaveobjectiontomytakingyourplacebesidemylittlewife，ifshewillletme。"
　　Myhousekeeper，wholookedinclinedtolaugh，said，"Comealong。"
　　Inthetwinklingofaneyeshewasundressedandinthearmsofherlittlewife，whomsheproceededtotreatasanamoroushusband。Mysweetheartlaughed，andSara，havingcontrivedinthecombattoridherselfofherchemiseandthecoverlet，displayedherselftomewithoutanyveil，whileatthesametimesheshewedmeallthebeautiesofmysweetheart。Thissightinflamedme。Ishutthedoor，andmadethelittlehussywitnessofmyardourwithmysweetheart。
　　Saralookedonattentively，playingthepartofastonishmenttoperfection，andwhenIhadfinishedshesaid，withtheutmostsimplicity，"Doitagain:"
　　"Ican’t，mydear；don’tyouseeIamadeadman？"
　　"That’sveryfunny，"shecried；andwiththemostperfectinnocenceshecameover，andtriedtoeffectmyresurrection。
　　Whenshehadsucceededinplacingmeinthewished—forcondition，shesaid，"Nowgoin；"andIshoulddoubtlesshaveobeyed，butmyhousekeepersaid，"No，dearest，sinceyouhaveeffecteditsresurrection，youmustmakeitdieagain。"
　　"Ishouldliketo，"saidshe，"butIamafraidIhavenotgotenoughroom；"andsosayingsheplacedherselfinapositiontoshewmethatshewasspeakingthetruth，andthatifshedidnotmakemedieitwasnotherfault。
　　ImitatinghersimplicityIapproachedher，asifIwishedtoobligeher，butnottogotoofar；butnotfindinganyresistanceI
　　accomplishedtheactinallitsforms，withouthergivingtheslightestevidenceofpain，withoutanyoftheaccidentsofafirsttrial，but，onthecontrary，withallthemarksoftheutmostenjoyment。
　　AlthoughIwassureofthecontrary，Ikeptmyself—possessionenoughtotellmyhousekeeperthatSarahadgivenmewhatcanonlybegivenonce，andshepretendedtobelieveme。
　　Whentheoperationwasfinished，wehadanotheramusingscene。Sarabeggedusnottosayawordaboutittoherpapaormamma，astheywouldbesuretoscoldherastheyhadscoldedherwhenshegotherearspiercedwithoutaskingtheirleave。
　　Saraknewthatwesawthroughherfeignedsimplicity，butshepretendednottodosoasitwastoherownadvantage。Whocouldhaveinstructedherintheartsofdeceit？Nobody；onlyhernaturalwit，lessrareinchildhoodthaninyouth，butalwaysrareandastonishing。Hermothersaidhersimplicitiesshewedthatshewouldonedaybeveryintelligent，andherfathermaintainedthattheyweresignsofherstupidity。ButifSarahadbeenstupid，ourburstsoflaughterwouldhavedisconcertedher；andshewouldhavediedforshame，insteadofappearingallthebetterpleasedwhenherfatherdeploredherstupidity。Shewouldaffectastonishment，andbywayofcuringonesortofstupidityshecorroborateditbydisplayinganother。Sheaskedusquestionstowhichwecouldnotreply，andlaughedatherinstead，althoughitwasevidentthatbeforeputtingsuchquestionsshemusthavereasonedoverthem。Shemighthaverejoinedthatthestupiditywasonourside，butbysodoingshewouldhavebetrayedherself。
　　Lebeldidnotreplytohissweetheart，butM。deChavigniwrotemealetteroffourpages。Hespokelikeaphilosopherandanexperiencedmanoftheworld。
　　HeshewedmethatifIwereanoldmanlikehim，andabletoinsureahappyandindependentexistencetomysweetheartaftermydeath，I
　　shoulddowelltokeepherfromallmen，especiallyastherewassoperfectasympathybetweenus；butthatasIwasayoungman，anddidnotintendtobindmyselftoherbythetiesofmarriage，Ishouldnotonlyconsenttoaunionwhichseemedforherhappiness，butthatasamanofhonouritwasmydutytousemyinfluencewithherinfavourofthematch。"Withyourexperience，"saidthekindoldgentleman，"yououghttoknowthatatimewouldcomewhenyouwouldregretbothhavinglostthisopportunity，foryourloveissuretobecomefriendship，andthenanotherlovewillreplacethatwhichyounowthinkasfirmasthegodTerminus。
　　"Lebel，"headded，"hastoldmehisplans，andfarfromdisapproving，Ihaveencouragedhim，foryourcharmingfriendwonmyentireesteeminthefiveorsixtimesIhadthepleasureofseeingherwithyou。
　　Ishallbedelighted，therefore，tohaveherinmyhouse，whereIcanenjoyherconversationwithouttransgressingthelawsofpropriety。
　　Nevertheless，youwillunderstandthatatmyageIhaveformednodesires，forIcouldnotsatisfythemeveniftheirobjectwerepropitious。"HeendedbytellingmethatLebelhadnotfalleninloveinayoungman’sstyle，thathehadreflectedonwhathewasdoing，andthathewouldconsequentlynothurryher，asshewouldseeintheletterhewasgoingtosendher。Amarriageoughtalwaystobeundertakenincoldblood。
　　Igavethelettertomyhousekeeper，whoreaditattentively，andgaveitbacktomequitecoolly。
　　"Whatdoyouthinkofhisadvice，dearest？"
　　"IthinkIhadbetterfollowit:hesaysthereisnohurry，anddelayisallwewant。Letusloveeachotherandthinkonlyofthat。Thisletteriswrittenwithgreatwisdom，butIcannotimagineourbecomingindifferenttoeachother，thoughIknowsuchathingispossible。"
　　"Neverindifferent；youmakeamistakethere。"
　　"Well，friends，then；andthatisnotmuchbetterafterbeinglovers。"
　　"Butfriendship，dearest，isneverindifferent。Love，itistrue，maybeinitscomposition。Weknowit，asithasbeenthusfromthebeginningoftheworld。"
　　"Thentheambassadorwasright。Repentancemightcomeandtormentuswhenlovehadbeenreplacedbycalmerfriendship。"
　　"Ifyouthinkso，letusmarryeachotherto—morrow，andpunishtherebythevicesofourhumannature。"
　　"Yes，wewillmarry，butthereisnohurry；fearinglesthymenshouldquickenthedepartureoflove，letusenjoyourhappinesswhilewecan。"
　　"Youspeakadmirably，myangel，anddeservethegreatestgoodfortune。"
　　"Iwishfornogreaterthanwhatyouprocureme。"
　　Wewenttobed，continuingourdiscussions，andwhenwewereineachother’sarmswemadeanarrangementwhichsuitedusverywell。
　　"Lausanne，"saidshe，"isalittletownwhereyouwouldmeetwiththewarmesthospitality，andduringyourfortnight’sstayyouwillhavenothingtodobuttomakevisitsandtogotosuppers。Iamknowntoallthenobility，andtheDukeofRosebury，whoweariedmewithhislove—making，isstillthere。Myappearancewithyouwillmakeeverybodytalk，anditwillbeasannoyingforyouasforme。Mymotherlivesthere，too。Shewouldsaynothing，butinherheartshewouldbeill—pleasedtoseemeasthehousekeeperofamanlikeyou，forcommonsensewouldinformeveryonethatIwasyourmistress。"
　　Ithoughtshewasright，andthatitwouldbewelltorespecttherulesofsociety。WedecidedthatsheshouldgotoLausannebyherselfandstaywithhermother，thatintwoorthreedaysIshouldfollowher，andshouldlivebymyself，aslongasIliked，havingfulllibertytoseeherathermother’s。
　　"WhenyouleaveLausanne，"saidshe，"IwillrejoinyouatGeneva，andthenwewilltraveltogetherwhereyoupleaseandaslongasourlovelasts。"
　　Intwodaysshestartedearlyinthemorning，sureofmyconstancy，andcongratulatingherselfonherdiscretion。Iwassadatherleavingme，butmycallstotakeleaveservedtorousemefrommygrief。IwishedtomakeM。Haller’sacquaintancebeforeIleftSwitzerland，andthemayor，M。deMuralt，gavemealetterofintroductiontohimveryhandsomelyexpressed。M。deHallerwasthebailiffofRoche。
　　WhenIcalledtotakeleaveofMadamedelaSaoneIfoundherinbed，andIwasobligedtoremainbyherbedsideforaquarterofanhour。
　　Shespokeofherdisease，andgavetheconversationsuchaturnthatshewasablewithperfectproprietytoletmeseethattheravagesofthediseasehadnotimpairedthebeautyofherbody。ThesightconvincedmethatMignardhadneedoflesscouragethanIthought，andIwaswithinaninchofdoingherthesameservice。Itwaseasyenoughtolookonlyatherbody，anditwouldhavebeendifficulttobeholdanythingmorebeautiful。
　　Iknowwellthatprudesandhypocrites，iftheyeverreadtheseMemoirs，willbescandalizedatthepoorlady，butinshewingherpersonsoreadilysheavengedherselfonthemaladywhichhaddisfiguredher。Perhaps，too，hergoodnessofheartandpolitenesstoldherwhatatrialitwastolookatherface，andshewishedtoindemnifythemanwhodisguisedhisfeelingsofrepugnancebyshewinghimwhatgiftsnaturehadgivenher。Iamsure，ladies，thatthemostprudish——nay，themostvirtuous，amongstyou，ifyouwereunfortunateenoughtobesomonstrouslydeformedintheface，wouldintroducesomefashionwhichwouldconcealyourugliness，anddisplaythosebeautieswhichcustomhidesfromview。AnddoubtlessMadamedelaSaonewouldhavebeenmorecharyofherpersonifshehadbeenabletoenchantwithherfacelikeyou。
　　ThedayIleftIdinedwithM————I————，andwasseverelytakentotaskbyprettySaraforhavingsentherlittlewifeawaybeforeme。
　　ThereaderwillseehowImetheragainatLondonthreeyearslater。
　　LeDucwasstillinthedoctor’shands，andveryweak；butImadehimgowithme，asIhadagooddealofproperty，andIcouldnottrustittoanybodyelse。
　　IleftBernefeelingnaturallyverysad。Ihadbeenhappythere，andtothisdaythethoughtofitisapleasantone。
　　IhadtoconsultDr。HerrenschwandaboutMadamed’Urfe，soIstoppedatMorat，wherehelived，andwhichisonlyfourleaguesfromBerne。
　　ThedoctormademedinewithhimthatImighttrythefishofthelake，whichIfounddelicious。Ihadintendedtogoondirectlyafterdinner，butIwasdelayedbyacuriosityofwhichIshallinformthereader。
　　AfterIhadgiventhedoctorafeeoftwoLouisforhisadvice，inwriting，onacaseoftapeworm，hemademewalkwithhimbytheAvanchesroad，andwewentasfarasthefamousmortuaryofMorat。
　　"Thismortuary，"saidthedoctor，"wasconstructedwithpartofthebonesoftheBurgundians，whoperishedhereatthewell—knownbattlelostbyCharlestheBold。"
　　TheLatininscriptionmademelaugh。
　　"Thisinscription，"saidI，"containsaninsultingjest；itisalmostburlesque，forthegravityofaninscriptionshouldnotallowoflaughter。"
　　Thedoctor，likeapatrioticSwiss，wouldnotallowit，butIthinkitwasfalseshameonhispart。Theinscriptionranasfollows，andtheimpartialreadercanjudgeofitsnature:
　　"Deo。opt。Max。CaroliinclytietfortisimiBurgundiedudsexercitusMuratumobsidens，abHelvetiiscesus，hocsuimonumentumreliquitannoMCDLXXVI。"
　　TillthenIhadhadagreatideaofMorat。Itsfameofsevencenturies，threesiegessustainedandrepulsed，allhadgivenmeasublimenotionofit；Iexpectedtoseesomethingandsawnothing。
　　"ThenMorathasbeenrazedtotheground？"saidItothedoctor。
　　"Notatall，itisasitalwayshasbeen，ornearlyso。"
　　Iconcludedthatamanwhowantstobewellinformedshouldreadfirstandthencorrecthisknowledgebytravel。Toknowillisworsethannottoknowatall，andMontaignesaysthatweoughttoknowthingswell。
　　ButitwasthefollowingcomicadventurewhichmademespendthenightatMorat:
　　IfoundattheinnayoungmaidwhospokeasortofrusticItalian。
　　Shestruckmebyhergreatlikenesstomyfairstocking—selleratParis。ShewascalledRaton，anamewhichmymemoryhashappilypreserved。Iofferedhersixfrancsforherfavours，butsherefusedthemoneywithasortofpride，tellingmethatIhadmadeamistakeandthatshewasanhonestgirl。
　　"Itmaybeso，"saidI，andIorderedmyhorsestobeputin。WhenthehonestRatonsawmeonthepointofleaving，shesaid，withanairthatwasatoncegayandtimid，thatshewantedtwolouis，andifIlikedtogiveherthemandpassthenightwithherIshouldbewellcontent。
　　"Iwillstay，butremembertobekind。"
　　"Iwill。"
　　Wheneverybodyhadgonetobed，shecameintomyroomwithalittlefrightenedmanner，calculatedtoredoublemyardour，butbygreatgoodluck，feelingIhadanecessity，ItookthelightandrantotheplacewhereIcouldsatisfyit。WhilethereIamusedmyselfbyreadinginnumerablefolliesonefindswritteninsuchplaces，andsuddenlymyeyeslightedonthesewords:——
　　"ThistenthdayofAugust，1760，thewretchedRatongavemethewhat—
　　d’—you—call—it:reader，beware。"
　　Iwasalmosttemptedtobelieveinmiracles，forIcouldnotthinkthereweretwoRatonsinthesamehouse。Ireturnedgailytomyroomandfoundmysweetheartinbedwithoutherchemise。Iwenttotheplacebesidethebedwhereshehadthrownitdown，andassoonasshesawmetouchingitshebeggedmeinafrightnottodoso，asitwasnotclean。Shewasright，foritborenumerousmarksofthediseasewhichinfectedher。Itmaybeimaginedthatmypassioncooled，andthatIsentherawayinamoment；butIfeltatthesametimethegreatestgratitudetowhatiscalledchance，forIshouldhaveneverthoughtofexaminingagirlwhosefacewasallliliesandroses，andwhocouldnotbemorethaneighteen。
　　NextdayIwenttoRochetoseethecelebratedHaller。
　　CHAPTERXVIII
　　M。Haller——MyStayatLausanne——LordRosebury——TheYoungSaconai——
　　DissertationonBeauty——TheYoungTheologianM。Hallerwasamansixfeethighandbroadinaproportion；hewasawell—mademan，andaphysicalaswellasamentalcolossus。Hereceivedmecourteously，andwhenhehadreadM。deMuralt’sletter，hedisplayedthegreatestpoliteness，whichshewsthatagoodletterofintroductionisneveroutofplace。Thislearnedmandisplayedtomeallthetreasuresofhisknowledge，replyingwithexactitudetoallmyquestions，andaboveallwithararemodestywhichastonishedmegreatly，forwhilstheexplainedthemostdifficultquestions，hehadtheairofascholarwhowouldfainknow；butontheotherhand，whenheaskedmeascientificquestion，itwaswithsodelicateanartthatIcouldnothelpgivingtherightanswer。
　　M。deHallerwasagreatphysiologist，agreatdoctor，andagreatanatomist。HecalledMorgagnihismaster，thoughhehadhimselfmadenumerousdiscoveriesrelatingtotheframeofman。WhileIstayedwithhimheshewedmeanumberoflettersfromMorgagniandPontedera，aprofessorofbotany，ascienceofwhichHallerhadanextensiveknowledge。HearingmespeakoftheselearnedmenwhoseworksIhadreadatanearlyage，hecomplainedthatPontedera’sletterswerealmostillegibleandwritteninextremelyobscureLatin。
　　HeshewedmealetterfromaBerlinAcademician，whosenameIhaveforgotten，whosaidthatsincethekinghadreadhisletterhehadnomorethoughtsofsuppressingtheLatinlanguage。HallerhadwrittentoFredericktheGreatthatamonarchwhosucceededintheunhappyenterpriseofproscribingthelanguageofCiceroandVirgilfromtherepublicofletterswouldraiseadeathlessmonumenttohisownignorance。Ifmenoflettersrequireauniversallanguagetocommunicatewithoneanother，Latiniscertainlythebest，forGreekandArabicdonotadaptthemselvesinthesamewaytothegeniusofmoderncivilization。
　　HallerwasagoodpoetofthePindarickind；hewasalsoanexcellentstatesman，andhadrenderedgreatservicestohiscountry。Hismoralswereirreproachable，andIrememberhistellingmethattheonlywaytogivepreceptswastodosobyexample。Asagoodcitizenhewasanadmirablepaterfamilias，forwhatgreaterproofcouldhegiveofhisloveofcountrythanbypresentingitwithworthysubjectsinhischildren，andsuchsubjectsresultfromagoodeducation。Hiswifewasstillyoung，andboreonherfeaturesthemarksofgoodnatureanddiscretion。Hehadacharmingdaughterofabouteighteen；herappearancewasmodest，andattablesheonlyopenedhermouthtospeakinalowtonetoayoungmanwhosatbesideher。Afterdinner，findingmyselfalonewithM。Haller，Iaskedhimwhothisyoungmanwas。Hetoldmehewashisdaughter’stutor。
　　"Atutorlikethatandsoprettyapupilmighteasilybecomelovers。"
　　"Yes，pleaseGod。"
　　ThisSocraticreplymademeseehowmisplacedmyremarkhadbeen，andIfeltsomeconfusion。FindingabooktomyhandIopenedittorestoremycomposure。
　　Itwasanoctavovolumeofhisworks，andIreadinit:
　　"Utrummemoriapostmortemdubito。"
　　"Youdonotthink，then，"saidI，"thatthememoryisanessentialpartofthesoul？"
　　"Howisthatquestiontobeanswered？"M。deHallerreplied，cautiously，ashehadhisreasonsforbeingconsideredorthodox。
　　DuringdinnerIaskedifM。deVoltairecameoftentoseehim。Bywayofreplyherepeatedtheselinesofthepoet:——
　　"VetaboquiCererissacrumvulgaritarcanumsubusdemsittrabibus。"
　　Ispentthreedayswiththiscelebratedman，butIthoughtmyselfobligedtorefrainfromaskinghisopiniononanyreligiousquestions，althoughIhadagreatdesiretodoso，asitwouldhavepleasedmetohavehadhisopiniononthatdelicatesubject；butI
　　believethatinmattersofthatkindM。Hallerjudgedonlybyhisheart。Itoldhim，however，thatIshouldconsideravisittoVoltaireasagreatevent，andhesaidIwasright。Headded，withouttheslightestbitterness，"M。deVoltaireisamanwhooughttobeknown，although，inspiteofthelawsofnature，manypersonshavefoundhimgreateratadistancethancloseathand。"
　　M。deHallerkeptagoodandabundantthoughplaintable；heonlydrankwater。Atdessertonlyheallowedhimselfasmallglassofliqueurdrownedinanenormousglassofwater。HetalkedagreatdealofBoerhaave，whosefavouritepupilhehadbeen。HesaidthatafterHypocrates，Boerhaavewasthegreatestdoctorandthegreatestchemistthathadeverexisted。
　　"Howisit，"saidI，"thathedidnotattainmatureage？"
　　"Becausethereisnocurefordeath。Boerhaavewasbornadoctor，asHomerwasbornapoet；otherwisehewouldhavesuccumbedattheageoffourteentoamalignantulcerwhichhadresistedallthebesttreatmentoftheday。Hecuredithimselfbyrubbingitconstantlywithsaltdissolvedinhisownurine。"
　　"Ihavebeentoldthathepossessedthephilosopher’sstone。"