ThenextdaytheChevalierOsorioreceivedmewiththeutmostpoliteness，whichIthoughtagoodomen。TheChevalierRaibertihadspokentohiminmybehalf，andhehadlaidthematterbeforethekingandalsobeforetheCountd’Aglie，andtheresultwasthatIcouldstayaslongasIliked。TheCountd’Agliewasnoneotherthanthehorriblesuperintendent。IwastoldthatImustwaitonhim，andhewouldgivemeleavetoremainatTurintillmyaffairsweresettled。
"Myonlybusinesshere，"saidI，"istospendmymoneytillIhaveinstructionsfromtheCourtofPortugaltoattendtheCongressofAugsburgonbehalfofhismostfaithfulmajesty。"
"ThenyouthinkthatthisCongresswilltakeplace？"
"Nobodydoubtsit。"
"Somebodybelievesitwillallendinsmoke。However，Iamdelightedtohavebeenofservicetoyou，andIshallbecurioustohearwhatsortofreceptionyougetfromthesuperintendent。"
Ifeltillatease。Iwenttothepoliceofficeimmediately，gladtoshewmyselfvictorious，andanxioustoseehowthesuperintendentwouldlookwhenIcamein。However，Icouldnotflattermyselfthathelookedashamedofhimself；thesepeoplehaveabrazenforehead，anddonotknowwhatitistoblush。
Assoonashesawme，hebegan，——
"TheChevalierOsoriotellsmethatyouhavebusinessinTurinwhichwillkeepyouforsomedays。Youmaythereforestay，butyoumusttellmeasnearlyaspossiblehowlongatimeyourequire。"
"Icannotpossiblytellyouthat。"
"Why？ifyoudon’tmindtellingme。"
"IamawaitinginstructionsfromtheCourtofPortugaltoattendtheCongresstobeheldatAugsburg，andbeforeIcouldtellyouhowlongIshallhavetostayIshouldbecompelledtoaskhismostfaithfulmajesty。Ifthistimeisnotsufficientformetodomybusiness，Iwillintimatethefacttoyou。"
"Ishallbemuchobligedbyyourdoingso。"
ThistimeImadehimabow，whichwasreturned，andonleavingtheofficeIreturnedtotheChevalierOsorio，whosaid，withasmile，thatIhadcaughtthesuperintendent，asIhadtakenanindefiniteperiod，whichleftmequiteatmyease。
ThediplomaticGama，whofirmlybelievedthattheCongresswouldmeet，wasdelightedwhenItoldhimthattheChevalierOsoriowasincredulousonthesubject。Hewascharmedtothinkhiswitkeenerthantheminister’s；itexaltedhiminhisowneyes。I
toldhimthatwhateverthechevaliermightsayIwouldgotoAugsburg，andthatIwouldsetoutinthreeorfourweeks。
MadameR。congratulatedmeoverandoveragain，forshewasenchantedthatIhadhumiliatedthesuperintendent；butallthesamewethoughtwehadbettergiveupourlittlesuppers。AsI
hadhadatasteofallhergirls，thiswasnotsuchagreatsacrificeformetomake。
IcontinuedthustillthemiddleofMay，whenIleftTurin，afterreceivinglettersfromtheAbbeGamatoLordStormont，whowastorepresentEnglandattheapproachingCongress。ItwaswiththisnoblemanthatIwastoworkinconcertattheCongress。
BeforegoingtoGermanyIwantedtoseeMadamed’Urfe，andIwrotetoher，askinghertosendmealetterofintroductiontoM。deRochebaron，whomightbeusefultome。IalsoaskedM。RaibertitogivemealetterforChamberi，whereIwantedtovisitthedivineM————M————（ofwhomIstillthoughtwithaffection）atherconventgrating。IwrotetomyfriendValenglard，askinghimtoremindMadameMorinthatshehadpromisedtoshewmealikenesstosomebodyatChamberi。
ButhereImustnotedownaneventworthyofbeingrecorded，whichwasextremelyprejudicialtome。
FiveorsixdaysbeforemydepartureDesarmoisescametomelookingverydowncast，andtoldmethathehadbeenorderedtoleaveTurinintwenty—fourhours。
"Doyouknowwhy？"Iaskedhim。
"LastnightwhenIwasatthecoffee—house，CountScarnafisdaredtosaythatFrancesubsidisedtheBernenewspapers。Itoldhimhelied，atwhichheroseandlefttheplaceinarage，givingmeaglancethemeaningofwhichisnotdoubtful。Ifollowedhimtobringhimtoreasonortogivehimsatisfaction；buthewoulddonothingandIsuspecthewenttothepolicetocomplain。IshallhavetoleaveTurinearlyto—morrowmorning。"
"You’reaFrenchman，andasyoucanclaimtheprotectionofyourambassadoryouwillbewrongtoleavesosuddenly。"
"Inthefirstplacetheambassadorisaway，andinthesecondmycruelfatherdisavowsme。No，Iwouldrathergo，andwaitforyouatLyons。AllIwantisforyoutolendmeahundredcrowns，forwhichIwillgiveyouanaccount。"
"Itwillbeaneasyaccounttokeep，"saidI，"butalongtimebeforeitissettled。"
"Possibly；butifitisinmypowerIwillshewmygratitudeforthekindnessesyouhavedoneme。"
Igavehimahundredcrownsandwishedhimapleasantjourney，tellinghimthatIshouldstopsometimeatLyons。
IgotaletterofcreditonanAugsburghouse，andthreedaysafterIleftTurinIwasatChamberi。Therewasonlyoneinnthereinthosedays，soIwasnotmuchpuzzledtochoosewhereI
wouldgo，butforallthatIfoundmyselfverycomfortable。
AsIenteredmyroom，Iwasstruckbyseeinganextremelyprettygirlcomingoutofanadjacentroom。
"Whoisthatyounglady？"saidItothechambermaidwhowasescortingme。
"That’sthewifeofayounggentlemanwhohastokeephisbedtogetcuredofasword—thrustwhichhereceivedfourdaysagoonhiswayfromFrance。"
Icouldnotlookatherwithoutfeelingthestingofconcupiscence。AsIwasleavingmyroomIsawthedoorhalfopen，andIstoppedshortandofferedmyservicesasaneighbour。Shethankedmepolitely，andaskedmein。Isawahandsomeyoungmansittingupinbed，soIwentuptoenquirehowhefelt。
"Thedoctorwillnotlethimtalk，"saidtheyounglady，"onaccountofasword—thrustinthechesthereceivedathalfaleaguefromhere。Wehopehewillbeallrightinafewdays，andthenwecancontinueourjourney。"
"Whereareyougoing，madam？"
"ToGeneva。"
JustasIwasleaving，amaidcametoaskmeifIwouldtakesupperinmyownroomorwiththelady。Ilaughedatherstupidity，andsaidIwouldsupinmyownapartment，addingthatI
hadnotthehonourofthelady’sacquaintance。
AtthistheyoungladysaiditwouldgivehergreatpleasureifI
wouldsupwithher，andthehusbandrepeatedthisassuranceinawhisper。Iacceptedtheinvitationgratefully，andIthoughtthattheywerereallypleased。Theladyescortedmeoutasfarasthestairs，andItookthelibertyofkissingherhand，whichinFranceisadeclarationoftenderthoughrespectfulaffection。
Atthepost—officeIfoundaletterfromValenglard，tellingmethatMadameMorinwouldwaitonmeatChamberiifIwouldsendheracarriage，andanotherfromDesarmoisesdatedfromLyons。HetoldmethatashewasonhiswayfromChamberihehadencounteredhisdaughterincompanywitharascalwhohadcarriedheroff。Hehadburiedhisswordinhisbody，andwouldhavekilledthemifhehadbeenabletostoptheircarriage。HesuspectedthattheyhadbeenstayinginChamberi，andhebeggedmetotryandpersuadehisdaughtertoreturntoLyons；andheaddedthatifshewouldnotdosoIoughttoobligehimbysendingherbackbyforce。Heassuredmethattheywerenotmarried，andhebeggedmetoanswerhisletterbyexpress，forwhichpurposehesentmehisaddress。
Iguessedatoncethatthisdaughterofhiswasmyfairneighbour，butIdidnotfeelatallinclinedtocometotheaidofthefatherinthewayhewished。
AssoonasIgotbacktotheinnIsentoffLeDucinatravellingcarriagetoMadameMorin，whomIinformedbyletterthatasIwasonlyatChamberiforhersakeIwouldawaitherconvenience。Thisdone，IabandonedmyselftothedelightIfeltattheromanticadventurewhichfortunehadputinmyway。
IrepeatedMdlle。Desarmoisesandherravisher，andIdidnotcaretoenquirewhetherIwasimpelledinwhatIdidbyvirtueorvice；
butIcouldnothelpperceivingthatmymotiveswereofamixednature；forifIwereamorous，Iwasalsoverygladtobeofassistancetotwoyounglovers，andallthemorefrommyknowledgeofthefather’scriminalpassion。
OnenteringtheirroomIfoundtheinvalidinthesurgeon’shands。
Hepronouncedthewoundnottobedangerous，inspiteofitsdepth；suppurationhadtakenplacewithoutsettingupinflammation——inshort，theyoungmanonlywantedtimeandrest。
WhenthedoctorhadgoneIcongratulatedthepatientonhiscondition，advisinghimtobecarefulwhatheate，andtokeepsilent。IthengaveMdlle。Desarmoisesherfather’sletter，andIsaidfarewellforthepresent，tellingthemthatIwouldgotomyownroomtillsupper—time。Ifeltsurethatshewouldcomeandspeaktomeafterreadingherfather’sletter。
Inaquarterofanhoursheknockedtimidlyatmydoor，andwhenI
letherinshegavemebacktheletterandaskedmewhatIthoughtofdoing。
"Nothing。Ishallbeonlytoohappy，however，ifIcanbeofanyservicetoyou。"
"Ah！Ibreatheagain！"
"Couldyouimaginemepursuinganyotherlineofconduct？Iammuchinterestedinyou，andwilldoallinmypowertohelpyou。
Areyoumarried？"
"Notyet，butwearegoingtobemarriedwhenwegettoGeneva。"
"Sitdownandtellmeallaboutyourself。Iknowthatyourfatherisunhappilyinlovewithyou，andthatyouavoidhisattentions。"
"Hehastoldyouthatmuch？Iamgladofit。AyearagohecametoLyons，andassoonasIknewhewasinthetownItookrefugewithafriendofmymother’s，forIwasawarethatIcouldnotstayinthesamehousewithmyfatherforanhourwithoutexposingmyselftothemosthorribleoutrage。TheyoungmaninbedisthesonofarichGenevamerchant。Myfatherintroducedhimtometwoyearsago，andwesoonfellinlovewitheachother。MyfatherwentawaytoMarseilles，andmyloveraskedmymothertogivemeinmarriagetohim；butshedidnotfeelauthorizedtodosowithoutmyfather’sconsent。Shewroteandaskedhim，butherepliedthathewouldannouncehisdecisionwhenhereturnedtoLyons。MyloverwenttoGeneva，andashisfatherapprovedofthematchhereturnedwithallthenecessarydocumentsandastrongletterofcommendationfromM。Tolosan。WhenmyfathercametoLyonsIescaped，asItoldyou，andmylovergotM。Tolosantoaskmyhandforhimofmyfather。Hisreplywas，’Icangivenoanswertillshereturnstomyhouse！’
M。Tolosanbroughtthisreplytome，andItoldhimthatIwasreadytoobeyifmymotherwouldguaranteemysafety。Shereplied，however，thatsheknewherhusbandtoowelltodaretohaveusbothunderthesameroof。AgaindidM。Tolosanendeavourtoobtainmyfather’sconsent，buttonopurpose。AfewdaysafterheleftLyons，tellingusthathewasfirstgoingtoAixandthentoTurin，andasitwasevidentthathewouldnevergivehisconsentmyloverproposedthatIshouldgooffwithhim，promisingtomarrymeassoonaswereachedGeneva。ByillluckwetravelledthroughSavoy，andthusmetmyfather。Assoonashesawushestoppedthecarriageandcalledtometogetout。I
begantoshriek，andmylovertakingmeinhisarmstoprotectmemyfatherstabbedhiminthechest。Nodoubthewouldhavekilledhim，butseeingthatmyshriekswerebringingpeopletoourrescue，andprobablybelievingthatmyloverwasasgoodasdead，hegotonhorsebackagainandrodeoffatfullspeed。Icanchewyoutheswordstillcoveredwithblood。"
"Iamobligedtoanswerthisletterofhis，andIamthinkinghowIcanobtainhisconsent。"
"That’sofnoconsequence；wecanmarryandbehappywithoutit。"
"True，butyououghtnottodespiseyourdower。"
"Goodheavens！whatdower？Hehasnomoney！
"Butonthedeathofhisfather，theMarquisDesarmoises……
"That’sallalie。MyfatherhasonlyasmallyearlypensionforhavingservedthirtyyearsasaGovernmentmessenger。Hisfatherhasbeendeadthesethirtyyears，andmymotherandmysisteronlylivebytheworktheydo。"
Iwasthunderstruckattheimpudenceofthefellow，who，afterimposingonmesolong，hadhimselfputmeinapositiontodiscoverhisdeceit。Isaidnothing。Justthenweweretoldthatsupperwasready，andwesatattableforthreehourstalkingthematterover。Thepoorwoundedmanhadonlytolistentometoknowmyfeelingsonthesubject。Hisyoungmistress，aswittyasshewaspretty，jestedonthefoolishpassionofherfather，whohadlovedhermadlyeversinceshewaseleven。
"Andyouwerealwaysabletoresisthisattempts？"saidI。
"Yes，wheneverhepushedthingstoofar。"
"Andhowlongdidthisstateofthingscontinue？"
"Fortwoyears。WhenIwasthirteenhethoughtIwasripe，andtriedtogatherthefruit；butIbegantoshriek，andescapedfromhisbedstarknaked，andIwenttotakerefugewithmymother，whofromthatdayforthwouldnotletmesleepwithhimagain。"
"Youusedtosleepwithhim？Howcouldyourmotherallowit？"
"Sheneverthoughtthattherewasanythingcriminalinhisaffectionforme，andIknewnothingaboutit。Ithoughtthatwhathedidtome，andwhathemademedotohim，weremeretrifles。"
"Butyouhavesavedthelittletreasure？"
"Ihavekeptitformylover。"
Thepoorlover，whowassufferingmorefromtheeffectsofhungerthanfromhiswounds，laughedatthisspeechofhers，andsherantohimandcoveredhisfacewithkisses。Allthisexcitedmeintensely。Herstoryhadbeentoldwithtoomuchsimplicitynottomoveme，especiallywhenIhadherbeforemyeyes，forshepossessedalltheattractionswhichawomancanhave，andIalmostforgaveherfatherforforgettingshewashisdaughterandfallinginlovewithher。
WhensheescortedmebacktomyroomImadeherfeelmyemotion，andshebegantolaugh；butasmyservantswereclosebyIwasobligedtolethergo。
EarlynextmorningIwrotetoherfatherthathisdaughterhadresolvednottoleaveherlover，whowasonlyslightlywounded，thattheywereinperfectsafetyandundertheprotectionofthelawatChamberi，andfinallythathavingheardtheirstory，andjudgingthemtobewellmatched，Icouldonlyapproveofthecoursetheyhadtaken。WhenIhadfinishedIwentintotheirroomandgavethemthelettertoread，andseeingthefairrunawayatalosshowtoexpressher’gratitude，Ibeggedtheinvalidtoletmekissher。
"Beginwithme，"saidhe，openinghisarms。
Myhypocriticallovemaskeditselfundertheguiseofpaternalaffection。Iembracedthelover，andthenmoreamorouslyI
performedthesameofficeforthemistress，andskewedthemmypursefullofgold，tellingthemitwasattheirservice。Whilethiswasgoingonthesurgeoncamein，andIretiredtomyroom。
Ateleveno’clockMadameMorinandherdaughterarrived，precededbyLeDuconhorseback，whoannouncedtheirapproachbynumeroussmacksofhiswhip。Iwelcomedherwithopenarms，thankingherforobligingme。
ThefirstpieceofnewsshegavemewasthatMdlle。RomanhadbecomemistresstoLouisXV。，thatshelivedinabeautifulhouseatPassi，andthatshewasfivemonthsgonewithchild。ThusshewasinafairwaytobecomequeenofFrance，asmydivineoraclehadpredicted。
"AtGrenoble，"sheadded，"youarethesoletopicofconversation；
andIadviseyounottogothereunlessyouwishtosettleinthecountry，fortheywouldneverletyougo。Youwouldhaveallthenobilityatyourfeet，andaboveall，theladiesanxioustoknowthelotoftheirdaughters。Everybodybelievesinjudicialastrologynow，andValenglardtriumphs。HehasbetahundredLouistofiftythatmyniecewillbedeliveredofayoungprince，andheiscertainofwinning；thoughtobesure，ifheloses，everybodywilllaughathim。"
"Don’tbeafraidofhislosing。"
"Isitquitecertain？"
"Hasnotthehoroscopeprovedtruthfulintheprincipalparticular？Iftheothercircumstancesdonotfollow，Imusthavemadeagreatmistakeinmycalculations。"
"Iamdelightedtohearyousayso。"
"IamgoingtoParisandIhopeyouwillgivemealetterofintroductiontoMadameVarnier，sothatImayhavethepleasureofseeingyourniece。"
"Youshallhavetheletterto—morrowwithoutfail。"
IintroducedMdlle。Desarmoisestoherunderthefamilynameofherlover，andinvitedhertodinewithMadameMorinandmyself。
Afterdinnerwewenttotheconvent，andM————M————camedownverysurprisedatthisunexpectedvisitfromheraunt；butwhenshesawmeshehadneedofallherpresenceofmind。Whenherauntintroducedmetoherbyname，sheobservedwithtruefemininetactthatduringherstayatAixshehadseenmefiveorsixtimesatthefountain，butthatIcouldnotrememberherfeaturesasshehadalwayswornherveil。Iadmiredherwitasmuchasherexquisitefeatures。Ithoughtshehadgrownprettierthanever，andnodoubtmylookstoldherasmuch。WespentanhourintalkingaboutGrenobleandheroldfriends，whomshegladlyrecalledtohermemory，andthenshewenttofetchayounggirlwhowasboardingattheconvent，whomshelikedandwantedtopresenttoheraunt。
IseizedtheopportunityoftellingMadameMorinthatIwasastonishedatthelikeness，thatherveryvoicewaslikethatofmyVenetianM————M—————，andIbeggedhertoobtainmetheprivilegeofbreakfastingwithherniecethenextday，andofpresentingherwithadozenpoundsofcapitalchocolate。IhadbroughtitwithmefromGenoa。
"Youmustmakeherthepresentyourself，"saidMadameMorin，"forthoughshe’sanunshe’sawoman，andwewomenmuchpreferapresentfromaman’sthanfromawoman’shand。"
M————M————returnedwiththesuperioroftheconvent，twoothernuns，andtheyoungboarder，whocamefromLyons，andwasexquisitelybeautiful。Iwasobligedtotalktoallthenuns，andMadameMorintoldherniecethatIwantedhertotrysomeexcellentchocolateIhadbroughtfromGenoa，butthatIhopedherlay—sisterwouldmakeit。
"Sir，"saidM————M————，"kindlysendmethechocolate，andto—
morrowwewillbreakfasttogetherwiththesedearsisters。"
AssoonasIgotbacktomyinnIsentthechocolatewitharespectfulnote，andItooksupperinMadameMorin’sroomwithherdaughterandMdlle。Desarmoises，ofwhomIwasfeelingmoreandmoreamorous，butItalkedofM————M————allthetime，andI
couldseethattheauntsuspectedthattheprettynunwasnotaltogetherastrangertome。
IbreakfastedattheconventandIrememberthatthechocolate，thebiscuits，andthesweetmeatswereservedwithanicetywhichsavouredsomewhatoftheworld。WhenwehadfinishedbreakfastI
toldM————M————thatshewouldnotfinditsoeasytogivemeadinner，withtwelvepersonssittingdowntotable，butIaddedthathalfthecompanycouldbeintheconventandhalfintheparlour，separatedfromtheconventbyalightgrating。
"It’sasightIshouldliketosee，"saidI，"ifyouwillallowmetopayallexpenses。"
"Certainly，"repliedM————M—————，andthisdinnerwasfixedforthenextday。
M————M————tookchargeofthewholething，andpromisedtoasksixnuns。MadameMorin，whoknewmytastes，toldhertosparenothing，andIwarnedherthatIwouldsendinthenecessarywines。
IescortedMadameMorin，herdaughter，andMdlle。Desarmoisesbacktothehotel，andIthencalledonM。Magnan，towhomIhadbeenrecommendedbytheChevalierRaiberti。Iaskedhimtogetmesomeofthebestwine，andhetookmedowntohiscellar，andtoldmetotakewhatIliked。Hiswinesprovedtobeadmirable。
ThisM。Magnanwasacleverman，ofapleasantappearance，andverycomfortablyoff。Heoccupiedanextremelylargeandconvenienthouseoutsidethetown，andtherehisagreeablewifedispensedhospitality。Shehadtenchildren，amongstwhomtherewerefourprettydaughters；theeldest，whowasnineteen，wasespeciallygood—looking。
Wewenttotheconventateleveno’clock，andafteranhour’sconversationweweretoldthatdinnerwasready。Thetablewasbeautifullylaid，coveredwithafairwhitecloth，andadornedwithvasesfilledwithartificialflowerssostronglyscentedthattheairoftheparlourwasquitebalmy。ThefatalgrillwasheavierthanIhadhoped。IfoundmyselfseatedtotheleftofM————M————，andtotallyunabletoseeher。ThefairDesarmoiseswasatmyright，andsheentertainedusallthetimewithheramusingstories。
WeintheparlourwerewaitedonbyLeDucandCosta，andthenunswereservedbytheirlay—sisters。Theabundantprovision，theexcellentwines，thepleasantthoughsometimesequivocalconversation，keptusallmerrilyemployedforthreehours。Mirthhadthemasteryoverreason，or，tospeakmoreplainly，wewerealldrunk；andifithadnotbeenforthefatalgrill，Icouldhavehadthewholeelevenladieswithoutmuchtrouble。TheyoungDesarmoiseswassogay，indeed，thatifIhadnotrestrainedhershewouldprobablyhavescandalisedallthenuns，whowouldhavelikednothingbetter。Iwaslongingtohavehertomyself，thatI
mightquenchtheflameshehadkindledinmybreast，andIhadnodoubtofmysuccessonthefirstattempt。Aftercoffeehadbeenserved，wewentintoanotherparlourandstayedtheretillnightcameon。MadameMorintookleaveofherniece，andthehand—
shakings，thanks，andpromisesofremembrancebetweenmeandthenuns，lastedforagoodquarterofanhour。AfterIhadsaidaloudtoM————M————thatIhopedtohavethepleasureofseeingherbeforeIleft，wewentbacktotheinninhighgoodhumourwithourcuriouspartywhichIstillrememberwithpleasure。
MadameMoringavemealetterforhercousinMadameVarnier，andI
promisedtowritetoherfromParis，andtellherallaboutthefairMdlle。Roman。Ipresentedthedaughterwithabeautifulpairofear—rings，andIgaveMadameMorintwelvepoundsofgoodchocolatewhichM。Magnangotme，andwhichtheladythoughthadcomefromGenoa。Shewentoffateighto’clockprecededbyLeDuc，whohadorderstogreetthedoorkeeper’sfamilyonmybehalf。
AtMagnan’sIhadadinnerworthyofLucullus，andIpromisedtostaywithhimwheneverIpassedChamberi，whichpromiseIhavefaithfullyperformed。
Onleavingthegourmand’sIwenttotheconvent，andM————M————
camedownalonetothegrating。Shethankedmeforcomingtoseeher，andaddedthatIhadcometodisturbherpeaceofmind。
"Iamquiteready，dearest，toclimbthehardenwall，andIshalldoitmoredexterouslythanyourwretchedhumpback。"
"Alas！thatmaynotbe，for，trustme，youarealreadyspiedupon。EverybodyhereissurethatwekneweachotheratAix。
Letusforgetall，andthusspareourselvesthetormentsofvaindesires。"
"Givemeyourhand。"
"No。Allisover。Iloveyoustill，probablyIshallalwaysloveyou；butIlongforyoutogo，andbydoingso，youwillgivemeaproofofyourlove。"
"Thisisdreadful；youastonishme。Youappeartomeinperfecthealth，youareprettierthanever，youaremadefortheworshipofthesweetestofthegods，andIcan’tunderstandhow，withatemperamentlikeyours，youcanliveincontinualabstinence。"
"Alas！lackingtherealityweconsoleourselvesbypretending。I
willnotconcealfromyouthatIlovemyyoungboarder。Itisaninnocentpassion，andkeepsmymindcalm。Hercaressesquenchtheflamewhichwouldotherwisekillme。"
"Andthatisnotagainstyourconscience？"
"Idonotfeelanydistressonthesubject。"
"Butyouknowitisasin。"
"Yes，soIconfessit。"
"Andwhatdoestheconfessorsay？"
"Nothing。Heabsolvesme，andIamquitecontent:"
"Anddoestheprettyboarderconfess，too？"
"Certainly，butshedoesnottellthefatherofamatterwhichshethinksisnosin。"
"Iwondertheconfessorhasnottaughther，forthatkindofinstructionisagreatpleasure。"
"Ourconfessorisawiseoldman。"
"AmItoleaveyou，then，withoutasinglekiss？"
"Notone。"
"MayIcomeagainto—morrow？Imustgothedayafter。"
"Youmaycome，butIcannotseeyoubymyselfasthenunsmighttalk。Iwillbringmylittleonewithmetosaveappearances。
Comeafterdinner，butintotheotherparlour。"
IfIhadnotknownM————M————atAix，herreligiousideaswouldhaveastonishedme；butsuchwashercharacter。ShelovedGod，anddidnotbelievethatthekindFatherwhomadeuswithpassionswouldbetooseverebecausewehadnotthestrengthtosubduethem。Ireturnedtotheinn，feelingvexedthattheprettynunwouldhavenomoretodowithme，butsureofconsolationfromthefairDesarmoises。
Ifoundhersittingonherlover’sbed；hispoordietandthefeverhadlefthiminastateofgreatweakness。Shetoldmethatshewouldsupinmyroomtoleavehiminquiet，andtheworthyyoungmanshookmyhandintokenofhisgratitude。
AsIhadagooddinneratMagnan’sIateverylittlesupper，butmycompanionwhohadonlyhadalightmealateanddranktoanamazingextent。Igazedatherinakindofwonder，andsheenjoyedmyastonishment。WhenmyservantshadlefttheroomI
challengedhertodrinkabowlofpunchwithme，andthisputherintoamoodwhichaskedfornothingbutlaughter，andwhichlaughedtofinditselfdeprivedofreasoningpower。Nevertheless，Icannotaccusemyselfoftakinganadvantageofhercondition，forinhervoluptuousexcitementsheenteredeagerlyintothepleasuretowhichIexcitedhertilltwoo’clockinthemorning。
Bythetimeweseparatedwewerebothofusexhausted。
Islepttilleleven，andwhenIwenttowishhergooddayIfoundhersmilingandasfreshasarose。Iaskedherhowshehadpassedtherestofthenight。
"Verypleasantly，’saidshe，"likethebeginningofthenight。"
"Whattimewouldyouliketohavedinner？"
"Iwon’tdine；Iprefertokeepmyappetiteforsupper。"
Hereherloverjoinedin，sayinginaweakvoice，——
"Itisimpossibletokeepupwithher。"
"Ineatingordrinking？"Iasked。
"Ineating，drinking，andinotherthings，"hereplied，withasmile。Shelaughed，andkissedhimaffectionately。
ThisshortdialogueconvincedmethatMdlle。Desarmoisesmustadoreherlover；forbesideshisbeingahandsomeyoungman，hisdispositionwasexactlysuitabletohers。Idinedbymyself，andLeDuccameinasIwashavingdessert。Hetoldmethatthedoor—
keeper’sdaughtersandtheirprettycousinhadmadehimwaitforthemtowritetome，andhegavemethreelettersandthreedozenofgloveswhichtheyhadpresentedme。Thelettersurgedmetocomeandspendamonthwiththem，andgavemetounderstandthatI
shouldbewellpleasedwithmytreatment。Ihadnotthecouragetoreturntoatown，wherewithmyreputationIshouldhavebeenobligedtodrawhoroscopesforalltheyoungladiesortomakeenemiesbyrefusing。
AfterIhadreadthelettersfromGrenobleIwenttotheconventandannouncedmypresence，andthenenteredtheparlourwhichM————M————hadindicated。Shesooncamedownwiththeprettyboarder，whofeeblysustainedmypartinheramorousecstacies。
Shehadnotyetcompletedhertwelfthyear，butshewasextremelytallandwelldevelopedforherage。Gentleness，liveliness，candour，andwitwereunitedinherfeatures，andgaveherexpressionanexquisitecharm。Sheworeawell—madecorsetwhichdisclosedawhitethroat，towhichthefancyeasilyaddedthetwosphereswhichwouldsoonappearthere。Herentrancingface，herravenlocks，andherivorythroatindicatedwhatmightbeconcealed，andmyvagrantimaginationmadeherintoabuddingVenus。Ibeganbytellingherthatshewasverypretty，andwouldmakeherfuturehusbandahappyman。Iknewshewouldblushatthat。Itmaybecruel，butitisthusthatthelanguageofseductionalwaysbegins。Agirlofheragewhodoesnotblushatthementionofmarriageiseitheranidiotoralreadyanexpertinprofligacy。Inspiteofthis，however，theblushwhichmountstoayounggirl’scheekattheapproachofsuchideasisapuzzlingproblem。Whencedoesitarise？Itmaybefrompuresimplicity，itmaybefromshame，andoftenfromamixtureofbothfeelings。
Thencomesthefightbetweenviceandvirtue，anditisusuallyvirtuewhichhastogivein。Thedesires——theservantsofvice——
usuallyattaintheirends。AsIknewtheyoungboarderfromM————
M————’sdescription，Icouldnotbeignorantofthesourceofthoseblusheswhichaddedafreshattractiontoheryouthfulcharms。
Pretendingnottonoticeanything，ItalkedtoM————M————forafewmoments，andthenreturnedtotheassault。Shehadregainedhercalm。
"Whatageareyou，prettyone？"saidI。
"Iamthirteen。"
"Youarewrong，"saidM————M————，"youhavenotyetcompletedyourtwelfthyear。"
"Thetimewillcome，"saidI，"whenyouwilldiminishthetaleofyouryearsinsteadofincreasingit。"
"Ishallnevertellalie，sir；Iamsureofthat。"
"Soyouwanttobeanun，doyou？"
"Ihavenotyetreceivedmyvocation；butevenifIliveintheworldIneednotbealiar。"
"Youarewrong；youwillbegintolieassoonasyouhavealover。"
"Willmylovertelllies，too？"
"Certainlyhewill。"
"Ifthematterwerereallyso，then，Ishouldhaveabadopinionoflove；butIdonotbelieveit，forIlovemysweethearthere，andIneverconcealthetruthfromher。"
"Yes，butlovingamanisadifferentthingtolovingawoman。"
"No，itisn’t；it’sjustthesame。"
"Notso，foryoudonotgotobedwithawomanandyoudowithyourhusband。"
"That’snomatter，mylovewouldbethesame。"
"What？YouwouldnotrathersleepwithmewithM————M————？"
"No，indeedIshouldnot，becauseyouareamanandwouldseeme。"
"Youdon’twantamantoseeyou，then？"
"No。"
"Doyouthinkyouaresougly，then？"
AtthissheturnedtoM————M————andsaid，withevidentvexation，"Iamnotreallyugly，amI？"
"No，darling，"saidM————M————，burstingwithlaughter，"itisquitetheotherway；youareverypretty。"Withthesewordsshetookheronherkneeandembracedhertenderly。
"Yourcorsetistootight；youcan’tpossiblyhavesuchasmallwaistasthat。"
"Youmakeamistake，youcanputyourhandthereandseeforyourself。"
"Ican’tbelieveit。"
M————M————thenheldherclosetothegrillandtoldmetoseeformyself。Atthesamemomentsheturnedupherdress。
"Youwereright，"saidI，"andIoweyouanapology；"butinmyheartIcursedthegratingandthechemise。
"Myopinionis，"saidItoM————M————，"thatwehaveherealittleboy。"
Ididnotwaitforareply，butsatisfiedmyselfbymysenseoftouchastohersex，andIcouldseethatthelittleoneandhergovernesswerebothpleasedthatmymindwasatrestonthesubject。
Idrewmyhandaway，andthelittlegirllookedatM————M————，andreassuredbyhersmilingairaskedifshemightgoawayforamoment。Imusthavereducedhertoastateinwhichamoment’ssolitudewasnecessary，andImyselfwasinaveryexcitedcondition。
AssoonasshewasgoneIsaidtoM————M————，"Doyouknowthatwhatyouhaveshewnmehasmademeunhappy？"
"Hasit？Why？"
"Becauseyourboarderischarming，andIamlongingtoenjoyher。"
"Iamsorryforthat，foryoucan’tpossiblygoanyfurther；andbesides，Iknowyou，andevenifyoucouldsatisfyyourpassionwithoutdangertoher，Iwouldnotgiveheruptoyou，youwouldspoilher。"
"How？"
"Doyouthinkthatafterenjoyingyoushewouldcaretoenjoyme？
Ishouldlosetooheavilybythecomparison。"
"Givemeyourhand。"
"No。"
"Stay，onemoment。"
"Idon’twanttoseeanything。"
"Notalittlebit？"
"Nothingatall。"
"Areyouangrywithme，then？"
"Notatall。IfyouhavebeenpleasedIamglad，andifyouhavefilledherwithdesiresshewilllovemeallthebetter。"
"Howpleasantitwouldbe，sweetheart，ifwecouldallthreeofusbetogetheraloneandatliberty！"
"Yes；butitisimpossible。"
"Areyousurethatnoinquisitiveeyeislookinguponus？"
"Quitesure。"
"Theheightofthatfatalgrillhasdeprivedmeofthesightofmanycharms。"
"Whydidn’tyougototheotherparlouritismuchlowerthere。"
"Letusgothere，then。"
"Notto—day；Ishouldnotbeabletogiveanyreasonforthechange。"
"Iwillcomeagainto—morrow，andstartforLyonsintheevening。"
Thelittleboardercameback，andIstoodupfacingher。Ihadanumberofbeautifulsealsandtrinketshangingfrommywatch—
chain，andIhadnothadthetimetoputmyselfinastateofperfectdecencyagain。
Shenoticedit，andbywayofpretextsheaskedifshemightlookatthem。
"Aslongasyoulike；youmaylookatthemandtouchthemaswell。"
M————M————foresawwhatwouldhappenandlefttheroom，sayingthatshewouldsoonbeback。Ihadintendedtodeprivetheyoungboarderofallinterestinmysealsbyshewingheracuriosityofanotherkind。Shedidnotconcealherpleasureinsatisfyingherinquisitivenessonanobjectwhichwasquitenewtoher，andwhichshewasabletoexamineminutelyforthefirsttimeinherlife。
Butsoonaneffusionchangedhercuriosityintosurprise，andI
didnotinterruptherinherdelightedgaze。
IsawM————M————comingbackslowly，andIloweredmyshirtagain，andsatdown。Mywatchandchainswerestillontheledgeofthegrating，andM————M————askedheryoungfriendifthetrinketshadpleasedher。
"Yes，"shereplied，butinadreamyandmelancholyvoice。Shehadlearntsomuchinthecourseoflessthantwohoursthatshehadplentytothinkover。IspenttherestofthedayintellingM————
M————theadventuresIhadencounteredsinceIhadlefther；butasIhadnottimetofinishmytaleIpromisedtoreturnthenextdayatthesametime。
Thelittlegirl，whohadbeenlisteningtomeallthetime，thoughIappearedtobeonlyaddressingherfriend，saidthatshelongedtoknowtheendofmyadventurewiththeDukeofMatelone’smistress。
IsuppedwiththefairDesarmoises，andaftergivinghersundryproofsofmyaffectiontillmidnight，andtellingherthatIonlystoppedonforhersake，Iwenttobed。
ThenextdayafterdinnerIreturnedtotheconvent，andhavingsentupmynametoM————M————Ienteredtheroomwherethegratingwasmoreconvenient。
BeforelongM————M————arrivedalone，butsheanticipatedmythoughtsbytellingmethatherprettyfriendwouldsoonjoinher。
"Youhavefiredherimagination。Shehastoldmeallaboutit，playingathousandwantontricks，andcallingmeherdearhusband。
Youhaveseducedthegirl，andIamverygladyouaregoingorelseyouwoulddrivehermad。Youwillseehowshehasdressedherself。"
"Areyousureofherdiscretion？"
"Perfectly，butIhopeyouwon’tdoanythinginmypresence。WhenIseethetimecomingIwillleavetheroom。"
"Youareanangel，dearest，butyoumightbesomethingbetterthanthatifyouwould——"
"Iwantnothingformyself；itisoutofthequestion。"
"Youcould——"
"No，Iwillhavenothingtodowithapastimewhichwouldrekindlefiresthatarehardlyyetquenched。Ihavespoken；Isuffer，butletussaynomoreaboutit。"
Atthismomenttheyoungadeptcameinsmiling，withhereyesfulloffire。Shewasdressedinashortpelisse，openinfront，andanembroideredmuslinskirtwhichdidnotgobeyondherknees。
Shelookedlikeasylph。
Wehadscarcelysatdownwhensheremindedmeoftheplacewheremytalehadstopped。Icontinuedmyrecital，andwhenIwastellingthemhowDonnaLucreziashewedmeLeonildanaked，M————
M————wentout，andtheslylittlepussaskedmehowIassuredmyselfthatmydaughterwasamaid。
Itookboldofherthroughthefatalgrating，againstwhichsheplacedherprettybody，andshewedherhowassuredmyselfofthefact，andthegirllikeditsomuchthatshepressedmyhandtothespot。ShethengavemeherhandthatImightshareherpleasure，andwhilstthisenjoyableoccupationwasinprogressM————M————appeared。Mysweetheartsaidhastily，——
"Nevermind，Itoldherallaboutit。Sheisagoodcreatureandwillnotbevexed。"AccordinglyM————M————pretendednottoseeanything，andtheprecociouslittlegirlwipedherhandinakindofvoluptuousecstacy，whichshewedhowwellshewaspleased。
Iproceededwithmyhistory，butwhenIcametotheepisodeofthepoorgirlwhowas’tied’，describingallthetroubleIhadvainlytakenwithher，thelittleboardergotsocuriousthatsheplacedherselfinthemostseducingattitudesothatImightbeabletoshewherwhatIdid。SeeingthisM————M————madeherescape。
"Kneeldownontheledge，andleavetheresttome，"saidthelittlewanton。
Thereaderwillguesswhatshemeant，andIhavenodoubtthatshewouldhavesucceededinherpurposeifthefirewhichconsumedmehadnotdistilleditselfawayjustatthehappymoment。
Thecharmingnovicefeltherselfsprinkled，butafterascertainingthatnothingmorecouldbedoneshewithdrewinsomevexation。Myfingers，however，consoledherforthedisappointment，andIhadthepleasureofseeingherlookhappyoncemore。
Ileftthesecharmingcreaturesintheevening，promisingtovisitthemagaininayear，butasIwalkedhomeIcouldnothelpreflectinghowoftentheseasylums，supposedtobedevotedtochastityandprayer，containinthemselvesthehiddengermsofcorruption。Howmanyatimorousandtrustfulmotherispersuadedthatthechildofheraffectionwillescapethedangersoftheworldbytakingrefugeinthecloister。Butbehindtheseboltsandbarsdesiresgrowtoafrenziedextreme；theycraveinvaintobesatisfied。
WhenIreturnedtotheinnItookleaveofthewoundedman，whomI
washappytoseeoutofdanger。InvainIurgedhimtomakeuseofmypurse；hetoldme，withanaffectionateembrace，thathehadsufficientmoney，andifnot，hehadonlytowritetohisfather。
IpromisedtostopatLyons，andtoobligeDesarmoisestodesistfromanystepshemightbetakingagainstthem，tellingthemIhadapoweroverhimwhichwouldcompelhimtoobey。Ikeptmyword。
Afterwehadkissedandsaidgood—bye，Itookhisfuturebrideintomyroomthatwemightsuptogetherandenjoyourselvestillmidnight；butshecouldnothavebeenverypleasedwithmyfarewellsalute，forIwasonlyabletoprovemyloveforheronce，asM————M————’syoungfriendhadnearlyexhaustedme。
Istartedatday—break，andthenextdayIreachedthe"HotelduParc，"atLyons。IsentforDesarmoises，andtoldhimplainlythathisdaughter’scharmshadseducedme，thatIthoughtherloverworthyofher，andthatIexpectedhimoutoffriendshipformetoconsenttothemarriage。Iwentfurther，andtoldhimthatifhedidnotconsenttoeverythingthatveryinstantIcouldnolongerbehisfriend，andatthishegavein。Heexecutedtherequisitedocumentinthepresenceoftwowitnesses，andIsentittoChamberibyanexpressmessenger。
Thisfalsemarquismademedinewithhiminhispoorhouse。Therewasnothingabouthisyoungerdaughtertoremindmeoftheelder，andhiswifeinspiredmewithpity。BeforeIleftImanagedtowrapupsixLouisinapieceofpaper，andgaveittoherwithouttheknowledgeofherhusband。Agratefullookshewedmehowwelcomethepresentwas。
IwasobligedtogotoParis，soIgaveDesarmoisessufficientmoneyforhimtogotoStrasburg，andawaitmethereincompanywithmySpaniard。
IthoughtmyselfwiseinonlytakingCosta，buttheinspirationcamefrommyevilgenius。
ItooktheBourbonnaisway，andonthethirddayIarrivedatParis，andlodgedattheHotelduSt。Esprit，inthestreetofthesamename。
BeforegoingtobedIsentCostawithanotetoMadamed’Urfe，promisingtocomeanddinewithherthenextday。Costawasagood—lookingyoungfellow，andashespokeFrenchbadlyandwasratherafoolIfeltsurethatMadamed’Urfewouldtakehimforsomeextraordinarybeing。Shewrotetosaythatshewasimpatientlyexpectingme。
"Howdidtheladyreceiveyou，Costa？"
"Shelookedintoamirror，sir，andsaidsomewordsIcouldmakenothingof；thenshewentroundtheroomthreetimesburningincense；thenshecameuptomewithamajesticairandlookedmeintheface；andatlastshesmiledverypleasantly，andtoldmetowaitforareplyintheante—chamber。"
EndMEMOIRSOFJACQUESCASANOVAdeSEINGALT1725—1798
ADVENTURESINTHESOUTH，Volume4d——BACKAGAINTOPARIS
THERAREUNABRIDGEDLONDONEDITIONOF1894TRANSLATEDBYARTHUR
MACHENTOWHICHHASBEENADDEDTHECHAPTERSDISCOVERED
BYARTHURSYMONS。
BACKAGAINTOPARIS
CHAPTERXIII
MyStayatParisandMyDepartureforStrasburg，WhereIFindtheRenaud——MyMisfortunesatMunichandMySadVisittoAugsburgAtteno’clockinthemorning，cheeredbythepleasantfeelingofbeingoncemoreinthatPariswhichissoimperfect，butwhichistheonlytruetownintheworld，IcalledonmydearMadamed’Urfe，whoreceivedmewithopenarms。ShetoldmethattheyoungCountd’Arandawasquitewell，andifIlikedshewouldaskhimtodinnerthenextday。ItoldherIshouldbedelightedtoseehim，andthenIinformedherthattheoperationbywhichshewastobecomeamancouldnotbeperformedtillQuerilinto，oneofthethreechiefsoftheFraternityoftheRosyCross，wasliberatedfromthedungeonsoftheInquisition，atLisbon。
"Thisisthereason，"Iadded，"thatIamgoingtoAugsburginthecourseofnextmonth，whereIshallconferwiththeEarlofStormontastotheliberationoftheadept，underthepretextofamissionfromthePortugueseGovernment。ForthesepurposesIshallrequireagoodletterofcredit，andsomewatchesandsnuff—boxestomakepresentswith，asweshallhavetowinovercertainoftheprofane。"
"Iwillgladlyseetoallthat，butyouneednothurryyourselfastheCongresswillnotmeettillSeptember。"
"Believeme，itwillnevermeetatall，buttheambassadorsofthebelligerentpowerswillbethereallthesame。If，contrarytomyexpectation，theCongressisheld，IshallbeobligedtogotoLisbon。Inanycase，Ipromisetoseeyouagainintheensuingwinter。ThefortnightthatIhavetospendherewillenablemetodefeataplotofSt。Germain’s。"
"St。Germain——hewouldneverdaretoreturntoParis。"
"Iamcertainthatheishereindisguise。ThestatemessengerwhoorderedhimtoleaveLondonhasconvincedhimtheEnglishministerwasnotdupedbythedemandforhispersontobegivenup，madebytheComted’AfriinthenameofthekingtotheStates—General。"
Allthiswasmereguess—work，anditwillbeseenthatIguessedrightly。
Madamed’UrfethencongratulatedmeonthecharminggirlwhomI
hadsentfromGrenobletoParis。Valenglardhadtoldherthewholestory。
"Thekingadoresher，"saidshe，"andbeforelongshewillmakehimafather。IhavebeentoseeheratPassiwiththeDuchessede1’Oraguais。"
"ShewillgivebirthtoasonwhowillmakeFrancehappy，andinthirtyyearstimeyouwillseewondrousthings，ofwhich，unfortunately，Icantellyounothinguntilyourtransformation。
Didyoumentionmynametoher？"
"No，Ididnot；butIamsureyouwillbeabletoseeher，ifonlyatMadameVarnier’s。"
Shewasnotmistaken；butshortlyafterwardsaneventhappenedwhichmadethemadnessofthisexcellentwomanmuchworse。
Towardsfouro’clock，asweweretalkingovermytravelsandourdesigns，shetookafancytowalkintheBoisduBoulogne。Shebeggedmetoaccompanyher，andIaccededtoherrequest。Wewalkedintothedeepestrecessesofthewoodandsatdownunderatree。"Itiseighteenyearsago，"saidshe，"sinceIfellasleeponthesamespotthatwenowoccupy。DuringmysleepthedivineHorosmadiscamedownfromthesunandstayedwithmetillIawoke。
AsIopenedmyeyesIsawhimleavemeandascendtoheaven。Heleftmewithchild，andIboreagirlwhichhetookawayfrommeyearsago，nodoubttopunishmefor，havingsofarforgottenmyselfastoloveamortalafterhim。MylovelyIriasiswaslikehim。"
"YouarequitesurethatM。d’Urfewasnotthechild’sfather？"
"M。d’UrfedidnotknowmeafterhesawmelyingbesidethedivineAnael。"
"That’sthegeniusofVenus。Didhesquint？"
"Toexcess。Youareaware，then，thathesquints？"
"Yes，andIknowthatattheamorouscrisisheceasestosquint。"
"Ididnotnoticethat。Hetoo，leftmeonaccountofmysinningwithanArab。"
"TheArabwassenttoyoubyanenemyofAnael’s，thegeniusofMercury。"
"Itmusthavebeenso；itwasagreatmisfortune。"
"Onthecontrary，itrenderedyoumorefitfortransformation。"
WewerewalkingtowardsthecarriagewhenallatoncewesawSt。
Germain，butassoonashenoticedusheturnedbackandwelostsightofhim。
"Didyouseehim？"saidI。"Heisworkingagainstus，butourgeniemakeshimtremble。"
"Iamquitethunderstruck。IwillgoandimpartthispieceofnewstotheDucdeChoiseulto—morrowmorning。IamcurioustohearwhathewillsaywhenItellhim。"
AsweweregoingbacktoParisIleftMadamed’Urfe，andwalkedtothePorteSt。Denistoseemybrother。Heandhiswifereceivedmewithcriesofjoy。Ithoughtthewifeveryprettybutverywretched，forProvidencehadnotallowedmybrothertoprovehismanhood，andshewasunhappilyinlovewithhim。Isayunhappily，becauseherlovekeptherfaithfultohim，andifshehadnotbeeninloveshemighteasilyhavefoundacureforhermisfortuneasherhusbandallowedherperfectliberty。Shegrievedbitterly，forshedidnotknowthatmybrotherwasimpotent，andfanciedthatthereasonofhisabstentionwasthathedidnotreturnherlove；andthemistakewasanexcusableone，forhewaslikeaHercules，andindeedhewasone，exceptwhereitwasmosttobedesired。Hergriefthrewherintoaconsumptionofwhichshediedfiveorsixyearslater。Shedidnotmeanherdeathtobeapunishmenttoherhusband，butweshallseethatitwasso。
ThenextdayIcalledonMadameVarniertogiveherMadameMorin’sletter。Iwascordiallywelcomed，andMadameVarnierwaskindenoughtosaythatshehadratherseemethananybodyelseintheworld；herniecehadtoldhersuchstrangethingsaboutmethatshehadgotquitecurious。This，asiswellknown，isaprevailingcomplaintwithwomen。
"Youshallseemyniece，"shesaid，"andshewilltellyouallaboutherself。"
Shewroteheranote，andputMadameMorin’sletterunderthesameenvelope。
"Ifyouwanttoknowwhatmyniece’sansweris，"saidMadameVarnier，"youmustdinewithme。"
Iacceptedtheinvitation，andsheimmediatelytoldherservantthatshewasnotathometoanyone。
ThesmallmessengerwhohadtakenthenotetoPassireturnedatfouro’clockwiththefollowingepistle:
"ThemomentinwhichIseetheChevalierdeSeingaltoncemorewillbeoneofthehappiestofmylife。Askhimtobeatyourhouseatteno’clockthedayaftertomorrow，andifhecan’tcomethenpleaseletmeknow。"
Afterreadingthenoteandpromisingtokeeptheappointment，I
leftMadameVarnierandcalledonMadamedeRumain，whotoldmeI
mustspendawholedaywithherasshehadseveralquestionstoputtomyoracle。
NextdayMadamed’UrfetoldmethereplyshehadfromtheDucdeChoiseul，whenshetoldhimthatshehadseentheComtedeSt。
GermainintheBoisduBoulogne。
"Ishouldnotbesurprised，"saidtheminister，"consideringthathespentthenightinmycloset。"
Thedukewasamanofwitandamanoftheworld。Heonlykeptsecretswhentheywerereallyimportantones；verydifferentfromthosemake—believediplomatists，whothinktheygivethemselvesimportancebymakingamysteryoftriflesofnoconsequence。ItistruethattheDucdeChoiseulveryseldomthoughtanythingofgreatimportance；and，inpointoffact，iftherewerelessintrigueandmoretruthaboutdiplomacy（asthereoughttobe），concealmentwouldberatherridiculousthannecessary。
ThedukehadpretendedtodisgraceSt。GermaininFrancethathemightusehimasaspyinLondon；butLordHalifaxwasbynomeanstakeninbythisstratagem。However，allgovernmentshavethepolitenesstoaffordoneanothertheseservices，sothatnoneofthemcanreproachtheothers。
ThesmallConted’Arandaaftercaressingmeaffectionatelybeggedmetocomeandbreakfastwithhimathisboarding—house，tellingmethatMdlle。Viarwouldbegladtoseeme。
ThenextdayItookcarenottofailinmyappointmentwiththefairlady。IwasatMadameVarnier’saquarterofanhourbeforethearrivalofthedazzlingbrunette，andIwaitedforherwithabeatingattheheartwhichshewedmethatthesmallfavoursshehadgivenmehadnotquenchedtheflameoflove。Whenshemadeherappearancethestoutnessofherfigurecarriedrespectwithit，sothatIdidnotfeelasifIcouldcomeforwardandgreethertenderly；butshewasfarfromthinkingthatmorerespectwasduetoherthanwhenshewasatGrenoble，poorbutalsopure。Shekissedmeaffectionatelyandtoldmeasmuch。
"TheythinkIamhappy，"saidshe，"andenvymylot；butcanonebehappyafterthelossofone’sself—respect？ForthelastsixmonthsIhaveonlysmiled，notlaughed；whileatGrenobleI
laughedheartilyfromtruegladness。Ihavediamonds，lace，abeautifulhouse，asuperbcarriage，alovelygarden，waiting—
maids，andamaidofhonourwhoperhapsdespisesme；andalthoughthehighestCourtladiestreatmelikeaprincess，Idonotpassasingledaywithoutexperiencingsomemortification。"
"Mortification？"
"Yes；peoplecomeandbringpleasbeforeme，andIamobligedtosendthemawayasIdarenotaskthekinganything。"
"Whynot？"
"BecauseIcannotlookonhimasmyloveronly；heisalwaysmysovereign，too。Ah！happinessistobesoughtforinsimplehomes，notinpompouspalaces。"
"Happinessisgainedbycomplyingwiththedutiesofwhateverconditionoflifeoneisin，andyoumustconstrainyourselftorisetothatexaltedstationinwhichdestinyhasplacedyou。"
"Icannotdoit；IlovethekingandIamalwaysafraidofvexinghim。Iamalwaysthinkingthathedoestoomuchforme，andthusIdarenotaskforanythingforothers。"
"ButIamsurethekingwouldbeonlytoogladtoshewhisloveforyoubybenefitingthepersonsinwhomyoutakeaninterest。"
"Iknowhewould，andthatthoughtmakesmehappy，butIcannotovercomemyfeelingofrepugnancetoaskingfavours。Ihaveahundredlouisamonthforpin—money，andIdistributeitinalmsandpresents，butwithdueeconomy，sothatIamnotpennilessattheendofthemonth。IhaveafoolishnotionthatthechiefreasonthekinglovesmeisthatIdonotimportunehim。"
"Anddoyoulovehim？"
"HowcanIhelpit？Heisgood—hearted，kindly，handsome，andpolitetoexcess；inshort，hepossessesallthequalitiestocaptivateawoman’sheart。
"HeisalwaysaskingmeifIampleasedwithmyfurniture，myclothes，myservants，andmygarden，andifIdesireanythingaltered。Ithankhimwithakiss，andtellhimthatIampleasedwitheverything。"
"Doesheeverspeakofthescionyouaregoingtopresenttohim？"
"HeoftensaysthatIoughttobecarefulofmyselfinmysituation。Iamhopingthathewillrecognizemysonasaprinceoftheblood；heoughtinjusticetodoso，asthequeenisdead。"
"Tobesurehewill。"
"IshouldbeveryhappyifIhadason。IwishIfeltsurethatI
wouldhaveone。ButIsaynothingaboutthistoanyone。IfI
daredspeaktothekingaboutthehoroscope，Iamcertainhewouldwanttoknowyou；butIamafraidofeviltongues。"
"SoamI。Continueinyourdiscreetcourseandnothingwillcometodisturbyourhappiness，whichmaybecomegreater，andwhichI
ampleasedtohaveprocuredforyou。"
Wedidnotpartwithouttears。Shewasthefirsttogo，afterkissingmeandcallingmeherbestfriend。IstayedashorttimewithMadameVarniertocomposemyfeelings，andItoldherthatI
shouldhavemarriedherinsteadofdrawingherhoroscope。
"Shewouldnodoubthavebeenhappier。Youdidnotforesee，perhaps，hertimidityandherlackofambition。"
"IcanassureyouthatIdidnotreckonuponhercourageorambition。Ilaidasidemyownhappinesstothinkonlyofhers。
Butwhatisdonecannotberecalled，andIshallbeconsoledifI
seeherperfectlyhappyatlast。Ihope，indeed，shewillbeso，aboveallifsheisdeliveredofason。"
IdinedwithMadamed’Urfe，andwedecidedtosendbackArandatohisboarding—schoolthatwemightbemorefreetopursueourcabalisticoperations；andafterwardsIwenttotheopera，wheremybrotherhadmadeanappointmentwithme。HetookmetosupatMadameVanloo’s，andshereceivedmeinthefriendliestmannerpossible。
"YouwillhavethepleasureofmeetingMadameBlondelandherhusband，"saidshe。
ThereaderwillrecollectthatMadameBlondelwasManonBaletti，whomIwastohavemarried。
"DoessheknowIamcoming？"Ienquired。