Thesyndichavingpronouncedmyname，shesaid，——
　　"Ah！then，you，sir，arethepersonwhodiscussedsomeverysingularquestionswithmycousin，thepastor’sniece。Iamdelightedtomakeyouracquaintance。"
　　"Iamequallypleasedtomakeyours，butIhopethepastor’sniecesaidnothingagainstme。"
　　"Notatall；shehasaveryhighopinionofyou。"
　　"Iamgoingtodinewithherto—morrow，andIshalltakecaretothankher。"
　　"To—morrow！Ishouldliketobethere，forIenjoyphilosophicaldiscussionsthoughIneverdaretoputawordin。"
　　ThesyndicpraisedherdiscretionandwisdominsuchamannerthatIwasconvincedhewasinlovewithher，andthathehadeitherseducedherorwastryingtodoso。HernamewasHelen。IaskedtheyoungladiesifHelenwastheirsister。Theeldestreplied，withaslysmile，thatshewasasister，butasyetshehadnobrother；andwiththisexplanationsheranuptoHelenandkissedher。ThenthesyndicandIviedwitheachotherinpayinghercompliments，tellingherthatwehopedtobeherbrothers。Sheblushed，butgavenoanswertoourgallantries。Ithendrewforthmycasket，andseeingthatallthegirlswereenchantedwiththerings，Itoldthemtochoosewhichonestheylikedbest。ThecharmingHelenimitatedtheirexample，andrepaidmewithamodestkiss。Soonaftersheleftus，andwewereoncemorefree，asinoldtimes。
　　ThesyndichadgoodcausetoshewforhisloveofHelen。Shewasnotmerelypleasing，shewasmadetoinspireaviolentpassion。
　　However，thethreefriendshadnohopeofmakingherjoinintheirpleasures，fortheysaidthatshehadinvinciblefeelingsofmodestywheremenwereconcerned。
　　Wesuppedmerrily，andaftersupperwebeganoursportsagain，thesyndicremainingasusualamerelooker—on，andwellpleasedwithhispart。Itreatedeachofthethreenymphstotwocourses，deceivingthemwheneverIwasforcedbynaturetodoso。Atmidnightwebrokeup，andtheworthysyndicescortedmetothedoorofmylodging。
　　ThedayfollowingIwenttothepastor’sandfoundanumerouspartyassembled，amongstothersM。d’HarcourtandM。deXimenes，whotoldmethatM。deVoltaireknewthatIwasatGenevaandhopedtoseeme。Irepliedbyaprofoundbow。Mdlle。Hedvig，thepastor’sniece，complimentedme，butIwasstillbetterpleasedtoseehercousinHelen。Thetheologianoftwenty—twowasfairandpleasanttotheeyes，butshehadnotthat’jenesaisquoi’，thatshadeofbitter—sweet，whichaddszesttohopeaswellaspleasure。However，theevidentfriendshipbetweenHedvigandHelengavemegoodhopesofsuccesswiththelatter。
　　Wehadanexcellentdinner，andwhileitlastedtheconversationwasrestrictedtoordinarytopics；butatdessertthepastorbeggedM。deXimenestoaskhisniecesomequestions。Knowinghisworldwidereputation，Iexpectedhimtoputhersomeproblemingeometry，butheonlyaskedwhetheraliecouldbejustifiedontheprincipleofamentalreservation。
　　Hedvigrepliedthattherearecasesinwhichalieisnecessary，butthattheprincipleofamentalreservationisalwaysacheat。
　　"ThenhowcouldChristhavesaidthatthetimeinwhichtheworldwastocometoanendwasunknowntoHim？"
　　"Hewasspeakingthetruth；itwasnotknowntoHim。"
　　"ThenhewasnotGod？"
　　"Thatisafalsededuction，forsinceGodmaydoallthings，Hemaycertainlybeignorantofaneventinfuturity。"
　　Ithoughtthewayinwhichshebroughtintheword"futurity"
　　almostsublime。Hedvigwasloudlyapplauded，andherunclewentallroundthetabletokissher。Ihadaverynaturalobjectiononthetipofmytongue，whichshemighthavefounddifficulttoanswer，butIwantedtogetintohergoodgracesandIkeptmyowncounsel。
　　M。d’Harcourtwasurgedtoaskhersomequestions，butherepliedinthewordsofHorace，’Nullamihireligioest’。ThenHedvigturnedtomeandaskedmetoputhersomehardquestion，"somethingdifficult，whichyoudon’tknowyourself。"
　　"Ishallbedelighted。Doyougrantthatagodpossessesinasupremedegreethequalitiesofman？"
　　"Yes，exceptingman’sweaknesses。"
　　"Doyouclassthegenerativepowerasaweakness？"
　　"No。"
　　"Willyoutellme，then，ofwhatnaturewouldhavebeentheoffspringofaunionbetweenagodandamortalwoman？"
　　Hedviglookedasredasfire。
　　Thepastorandtheotherguestslookedateachother，whileI
　　gazedfixedlyattheyoungtheologian，whowasreflecting。M。
　　d’HarcourtsaidthatweshouldhavetosendforVoltairetosettleaquestionsodifficult，butasHedvighadcollectedherthoughtsandseemedreadytospeakeverybodywassilent。
　　"Itwouldbeabsurd，"saidshe，"tosupposethatadeitycouldperformsuchanactionwithoutitshavinganyresults。Attheendofninemonthsawomanwouldbedeliveredamalechild，whichwouldbethreepartsmanandonepartgod。"
　　Atthesewordsalltheguestsapplauded，M。deXimenesexpressedhisadmirationofthewaythequestionhadbeensolved，adding，——
　　"Naturally，ifthesonofthewomanmarried，hischildrenwouldbeseven—eighthsmenandone—eighthgods。"
　　"Yes，"saidI，"unlesshemarriedagoddess，whichwouldhavemadetheproportiondifferent。"
　　"Tellmeexactly，"saidHedvig，"whatproportionofdivinitytherewouldbeinachildofthesixteenthgeneration。"
　　"GivemeapencilandIwillsoontellyou，"saidM。deXimenes。
　　"Thereisnoneedtocalculateit，"saidI；"thechildwouldhavesomesmallshareofthewitwhichyouenjoy。"
　　Everybodyapplaudedthisgallantspeech，whichdidnotbyanymeansoffendtheladytowhomitwasaddressed。
　　Thisprettyblondewaschieflydesirableforthecharmsofherintellect。Werosefromthetableandmadeacircleroundher，butshetolduswithmuchgracenottopayheranymorecompliments。
　　ItookHelenaside，andtoldhertogethercousintochoosearingfrommycasket，whichIgaveher，andsheseemedgladtoexecutethecommission。AquarterofanhourafterwardsHedvigcametoshewmeherhandadornedwiththeringshehadchosen。I
　　kisseditrapturously，andshemusthaveguessedfromthewarmthofmykisseswithwhatfeelingsshehadinspiredme。
　　IntheeveningHelentoldthesyndicandthethreegirlsallaboutthemorning’sdiscussionwithoutleavingoutthesmallestdetail。
　　Shetoldthestorywitheaseandgrace，andIhadnooccasiontoprompther。Webeggedhertostaytosupper，butshewhisperedsomethingtothethreefriends，andtheyagreedthatitwasimpossible；butshesaidthatshemightspendacoupleofdayswiththemintheircountryhouseonthelake，iftheywouldaskhermother。
　　Atthesyndic’srequestthegirlscalledonthemotherthenextday，andthedayafterthattheywentoffwithHelen。Thesameeveningwewentandsuppedwiththem，butwecouldnotsleepthere。Thesyndicwastotakemetoahouseatashortdistanceoff，whereweshouldbeverycomfortable。Thisbeingthecasetherewasnohurry，andtheeldestgirlsaidthatthesyndicandI
　　couldleavewheneverweliked，butthattheyweregoingtobed。
　　SosayingshetookHelentoherroom，whilethetwootherssleptinanotherroom。SoonafterthesyndicwentintotheroomwhereHelenwas，andIvisitedthetwoothers。
　　Ihadscarcelybeenwithmytwosweetheartsforanhourwhenthesyndicinterruptedmyeroticexploitsbybeggingmetogo。
　　"WhathaveyoudonewithHelen？"Iasked。
　　"Nothing；she’sasimpleton，andanintractableone。Shehidunderthesheetsandwouldnotlookatmyperformancewithherfriend。"
　　"Yououghttogotoherdirect。"
　　"Ihavedoneso，butsherepulsedmeagainandagain。Ihavegivenitup，andshallnottryitagain，unlessyouwilltameherforme。"
　　"Howisittobedone？"
　　"Cometodinnerto—morrow。IshallbeawayatGeneva。Ishallbebackbysupper—time。Iwishwecouldgivehertoomuchtodrink！"
　　"Thatwouldbeapity。LetmeseewhatIcando。"
　　Iaccordinglywenttodinewiththembymyselfthenextday，andtheyentertainedmeinalltheforceoftheword。Afterdinnerwewentforawalk，andthethreefriendsunderstandingmyaimsleftmealonewiththeintractablegirl，whoresistedmycaressesinamannerwhichalmostmademegiveupthehopeoftamingher。
　　"Thesyndic，"saidI，"isinlovewithyou，andlastnight……
　　"Lastnight，"shesaid，"heamusedhimselfwithhisoldfriend。I
　　amforeveryone’sfollowingtheirowntastes，butIexpecttobeallowedtofollowmine。"
　　"IfIcouldgainyourheartIshouldbehappy。"
　　"Whydon’tyouinvitethepastorandmycousintodinewithyou？
　　Icouldcometoo，forthepastormakesmuchofeveryonewholoveshisniece。"
　　"Iamgladtohearthat。Hasshealover？"
　　"No。"
　　"Icanscarcelybelieveit。Sheisyoung，pretty，agreeable，andveryclever。"
　　"Youdon’tunderstandGenevanways。Itisbecausesheissocleverthatnoyoungmanfallsinlovewithher。Thosewhomightbeattractedbyherpersonalcharmsholdthemselvesaloofonaccountofherintellectualcapacities，astheywouldhavetositinsilencebeforeher。"
　　"AretheyoungGenevanssoignorant，then？"
　　"Asaruletheyare。Someofthemhavereceivedexcellenteducations，butinageneralwaytheyarefullofprejudice。
　　Nobodywishestobeconsideredafoolorablockhead，butcleverwomenarenotappreciated；andifagirliswittyorwelleducatedsheendeavorstohideherlights，atleastifshedesirestobemarried。"
　　"Ah！nowIseewhyyoudidnotopenyourlipsduringourdiscussion。"
　　"No，IknowIhavenothingtohide。Thiswasnotthemotivewhichmademekeepsilence，butthepleasureoflistening。Iadmiredmycousin，whowasnotafraidtodisplayherlearningonasubjectwhichanyothergirlwouldhaveaffectedtoknownothingabout。"
　　"Yes，affected，thoughshemightveryprobablyknowasmuchashergrandmother。"
　　"That’samatterofmorals，orratherofprejudices。"
　　"Yourreasoningisadmirable，andIamalreadylongingforthepartyyousocleverlysuggested:"
　　"Youwillhavethepleasureofbeingwithmycousin。"
　　"Idoherjustice。Hedvigiscertainlyaveryinterestingandagreeablegirl，butbelievemeitisyourpresencethatwillconstitutemychiefenjoyment。"
　　"AndhowifIdonotbelieveyou？"
　　"Youwouldwrongmeandgivemepain，forIloveyoudearly。"
　　"Inspiteofthatyouhavedeceivedme。Iamsurethatyouhavegivenmarksofyouraffectiontothosethreeyoungladies。FormypartIpitythem。"
　　"Why？"
　　"Becauseneitherofthemcanflatterherselfthatyouloveher，andheralone。"
　　"Anddoyouthinkthatyourdelicacyoffeelingmakesyouhappierthantheyare？"
　　"Yes，Ithinksothoughofcourse，Ihavenoexperienceinthematter。Tellmetruly，doyouthinkIamright？"
　　"Yes，Ido。"
　　"Iamdelightedtohearit；butyoumustconfessthattoassociatemewiththeminyourattentionswouldnotbegivingmethegreatestpossibleproofofyourlove。"
　　"Yes，Idoconfessit，andIbegyourpardon。ButtellmehowI
　　shouldsettoworktoaskthepastortodinner。"
　　"Therewillbenodifficulty。Justcallonhimandaskhimtocome，andifyouwishmetobeofthepartybeghimtoaskmymotherandmyself。"
　　"Whyyourmother？"
　　"Becausehehasbeeninlovewithherthesetwentyyears，andlovesherstill。"
　　"AndwhereshallIgivethisdinner？"
　　"IsnotM。Tronchinyourbanker？"
　　"Yes。"
　　"Hehasanicepleasurehouseonthelake；askhimtolendityoufortheday；hewillbedelightedtodoso。Butdon’ttellthesyndicorhisthreefriendsanythingaboutit；theycanhearofitafterwards。"
　　"Butdoyouthinkyourlearnedcousinwillbegladtobeinmycompany？"
　　"Morethanglad，youmaybesure。"
　　"Verygood，everythingwillbearrangedbytomorrow。Thedayafter，youwillbereturningtoGeneva，andthepartywilltakeplacetwoorthreedayslater。"
　　Thesyndiccamebackinduecourse，andwehadaverypleasantevening。Aftersuppertheladieswenttobedasbefore，andI
　　wentwiththeeldestgirlwhilethesyndicvisitedthetwoyoungerones。IknewthatitwouldbeofnousetotrytodoanythingwithHelen，soIcontentedmyselfwithafewkisses，afterwhichI
　　wishedthemgoodnightandpassedontothenextroom。Ifoundtheminadeepsleep，andthesyndicseemedvisiblybored。HedidnotlookmorecheerfulwhenItoldhimthatIhadhadnosuccesswithHelen。
　　"Isee，"saidhe，"thatIshallwastemytimewiththelittlefool。IthinkIshallgiveherup。"
　　"Ithinkthat’sthebestthingyoucoulddo，"Ireplied，"foramanwholanguishesafterawomanwhoiseitherdevoidoffeelingorfullofcaprice，makeshimselfherdupe。Blissshouldbeneithertooeasynortoohardtobewon。"
　　ThenextdaywereturnedtoGeneva，andM。Tronchinseemeddelightedtoobligeme。Thepastoracceptedmyinvitation，andsaidIwassuretobecharmedwithHelen’smother。Itwaseasytoseethattheworthymancherishedatendernessforher，andifsherespondedatallitwouldbeallthebetterformypurposes。
　　IwasthinkingofsuppingwiththecharmingHelenandherthreefriendsatthehouseonthelake，butanexpresssummonedmetoLausanne。MadameLebel，myoldhousekeeper，invitedmetosupwithherandherhusband。ShewrotethatshehadmadeherhusbandpromisetotakehertoLausanneassoonasshegotmyletter，andsheaddedshewassurethatIwouldresigneverythingtogiveherthepleasureofseeingme。Shenotifiedthehouratwhichshewouldbeathermother’shouse。
　　MadameLebelwasoneofthetenortwelvewomenforwhominmyhappyyouthIcherishedthegreatestaffection。Shehadallthequalitiestomakeamanagoodwife，ifithadbeenmyfatetoexperiencesuchfelicity。ButperhapsIdidwellnottotiemyselfdownwithirrevocablebonds，thoughnowmyindependenceisanothernameforslavery。ButifIhadmarriedawomanoftact，whowouldhaveruledmeunawarestomyself，Ishouldhavetakencareofmyfortuneandhavehadchildren，insteadofbeinglonelyandpennilessinmyoldage。
　　ButImustindulgenolongerindigressionsonthepastwhichcannotberecalled，andsincemyrecollectionsmakemehappyI
　　shouldbefoolishtocherishidleregrets。
　　IcalculatedthatifIstarteddirectlyIshouldgettoLausanneanhourbeforeMadameLebel，andIdidnothesitatetogiveherthisproofofmyregard。Imustherewarnmyreaders，that，thoughIlovedthiswomanwell，Iwasthenoccupiedwithanotherpassion，andnovoluptuousthoughtmingledwithmydesireofseeingher。Myesteemforherwasenoughtoholdmypassionsincheck，butIesteemedLebeltoo，andnothingwouldhaveinducedmetodisturbthehappinessofthismarriedpair。
　　Iwroteinhastetothesyndic，tellinghimthatanimportantandsuddencallobligedmetostartforLausanne，butthatIshouldhavethepleasureofsuppingwithhimandhisthreefriendsatGenevaonthefollowingday。
　　IknockedatMadameDubois’sdooratfiveo’clock，almostdyingwithhunger。Hersurprisewasextreme，forshedidnotknowthatherdaughterwasgoingtomeetmeatherhouse。WithoutmoreadoIgavehertwolouistogetusagoodsupper。
　　Atseveno’clock，MadameLebel，herhusband，andachildofeighteenmonths，whomIeasilyrecognizedasmyown，arrived。Ourmeetingwasahappyoneindeed；wespenttenhoursattable，andmirthandjoyprevailed。Atday—breakshestartedforSoleure，whereLebelhadbusiness。M。deChavignihaddesiredtoberememberedmostaffectionatelytome。Lebelassuredmethattheambassadorwasextremelykindtohiswife，andhethankedmeheartilyforhavinggivensuchawomanuptohim。Icouldeasilyseethathewasahappyhusband，andthathiswifewasashappyashe。
　　Mydearhousekeepertalkedtomeaboutmyson。Shesaidthatnobodysuspectedthetruth，butthatneithershenorLebel（whohadfaithfullykepthispromise，andhadnotconsummatedthemarriageforthetwomonthsagreedupon）hadanydoubts。
　　"Thesecret，"saidLebeltome，"willneverbeknown，andyoursonwillbemysoleheir，orwillsharemypropertywithmychildrenifIeverhaveany，whichIdoubt。"
　　"Mydear，"saidhiswife，"thereissomebodywhohasverystrongsuspicionsonthesubject，andthesesuspicionswillgainstrengthasthechildgrowsolder；butwehavenothingtofearonthatscore，assheiswellpaidtokeepthesecret。"
　　"Andwhoisthisperson？"saidI。
　　"Madame————。Shehasnotforgottenthepast，andoftenspeaksofyou。"
　　"Willyoukindlyremembermetoher？"
　　"Ishallbedelightedtodoso，andIamsurethemessagewillgivehergreatpleasure。"
　　Lebelshewedmemyring，andIshewedhimhis，andgavehimasuperbwatchformyson。
　　"Youmustgiveithim，"Isaid，"whenyouthinkheisoldenough。"
　　Weshallhearoftheyounggentlemanintwenty—oneyearsatFontainebleau。
　　IpassedthreehoursintellingthemofalltheadventuresIhadduringthetwenty—sevenmonthssincewehadseenoneanother。Astotheirhistory，itwassoontold；ithadallthecalmwhichbelongstohappiness。
　　MadameLebelwasasprettyasever，andIcouldseenochangeinher，butIwasnolongerthesameman。Shethoughtmelesslivelythanofold，andshewasright。TheRenaudhadblastedme，andthepretendedLascarishadgivenmeagreatdealoftroubleandanxiety。
　　Weembracedeachothertenderly，andtheweddedpairreturnedtoSoleureandItoGeneva；butfeelingthatIwantedrestIwrotetothesyndicthatIwasnotwellandcouldnotcometillthenextday，andafterIhaddonesoIwenttobed。
　　Thenextday，theeveofmydinnerparty，Iorderedarepastinwhichnoexpensewastobespared。Ididnotforgettotellthelandlordtogetmethebestwines，thechoicestliqueurs，ices，andallthematerialsforabowlofpunch。Itoldhimthatweshouldbesixinnumber，forIforesawthatM。Tronchinwoulddinewithus。Iwasright；Ifoundhimathisprettyhousereadytoreceiveus，andIhadnotmuchtroubleininducinghimtostay。
　　IntheeveningIthoughtitaswelltotellthesyndicandhisthreefriendsaboutitinHelen’spresence，whileshe，feigningignorance，saidthathermotherhadtoldhertheyweregoingsomewhereorothertodinner。
　　"Iamdelightedtohearit，"saidI；"itmustbeatM。Tronchin’s。"
　　Mydinnerwouldhavesatisfiedthemostexactinggourmet，butHedvigwasitsrealcharm。Shetreateddifficulttheologicalquestionswithsomuchgrace，andrationalisedsoskilfully，thatthoughonemightnotbeconvinceditwasimpossibletohelpbeingattracted。Ihaveneverseenanytheologianwhocouldtreatthemostdifficultpointswithsomuchfacility，eloquence，andrealdignity，andatdinnershecompletedherconquestofmyself。M。
　　Tronchin，whohadneverheardherspeakbefore，thankedmeahundredtimesforhavingprocuredhimthispleasure，andbeingobligedtoleaveusbythecallofbusinessheaskedustomeetagainintwodays’time。
　　IwasmuchinterestedduringthedessertbytheevidenttendernessofthepastorforHelen’smother。Hisamorouseloquencegrewinstrengthasheirrigatedhisthroatwithchampagne，Greekwine，andeasternliqueurs。Theladyseemedpleased，andwasamatchforhimasfarasdrinkingwasconcerned，whilethetwogirlsandmyselfonlydrankwithsobriety。However，themixtureofwines，andaboveallthepunch，haddonetheirwork，andmycharmerswereslightlyelevated。Theirspiritsweredelightful，butratherpronounced。
　　ItookthisfavourableopportunitytoaskthetwoagedloversifI
　　mighttaketheyoungladiesforawalkinthegardenbythelake，andtheytoldusenthusiasticallytogoandenjoyourselves。Wewentoutarminarm，andinafewminuteswewereoutofsightofeveryone。
　　"Doyouknow，"saidItoHedvig，"thatyouhavemadeaconquestofM。Tronchin？"
　　"HaveI？Theworthybankeraskedmesomeverysillyquestions。"
　　"Youmustnotexpecteveryonetobeabletocontendwithyou。"
　　"Ican’thelptellingyouthatyourquestionpleasedmebestofall。Abigotedtheologianattheendofthetableseemedscandalizedatthequestionandstillmoreattheanswer。"
　　"Andwhy？"
　　"HesaysIoughttohavetoldyouthatadeitycouldnotimpregnateawoman。HesaidthathewouldexplainthereasontomeifIwereaman，butbeingawomanandamaidhecouldnotwithproprietyexpoundsuchmysteries。Iwishyouwouldtellmewhatthefoolmeant。"
　　"Ishouldbeveryglad，butyoumustallowmetospeakplainly，andIshallhavetotakeforgrantedthatyouareacquaintedwiththephysicalconformationofaman。"
　　"Yes，speakasplainlyasyoulike，forthereisnobodytohearwhatwesay；butImustconfessthatIamonlyacquaintedwiththepeculiaritiesofthemalebytheoryandreading。Ihavenopracticalknowledge。Ihaveseenstatues，butIhaveneverseenorexaminedarealliveman。Haveyou，Helen？"
　　"Ihaveneverwishedtodoso。"
　　"Whynot？Itisgoodtoknoweverything。"
　　"Well，Hedvig，yourtheologianmeanttosaythatagodwasnotcapableofthis。"
　　"Whatisthat？"
　　"Givemeyourhand。"
　　"Icanfeelit，andhavethoughtitwouldbesomethinglikethat；
　　withoutthisprovisionofnaturemanwouldnotbeabletofecundatehismate。Andhowcouldthefoolishtheologianmaintainthatthiswasanimperfection？"
　　"Becauseitistheresultofdesire，Hedvig，anditwouldnothavetakenplaceinmeifIhadnotbeencharmedwithyou，andifIhadnotconceivedthemostseducingideasofthebeautiesthatI
　　cannotseefromtheviewofthebeautiesIcansee。Tellmefranklywhetherfeelingthatdidnotgiveyouanagreeablesensation。"
　　"Itdid，andjustintheplacewhereyourhandisnow。Don’tyoufeelapleasantticklingthere，Helen，afterwhatthegentlemanhasbeensayingtous？"
　　"Yes，Ifeelit，butIoftendo，withoutanythingtoexciteme。"
　　"Andthen，"saidI，"naturemakesyouappeaseit……thus？"
　　"Notatall。"
　　"Oh，yes！"saidHedvig。"Evenwhenweareasleepourhandsseekthatspotasifbyinstinct，andifitwerenotforthatsolaceI
　　thinkweshouldgetterriblyill。"
　　Asthisphilosophicaldiscourse，conductedbytheyoungtheologianinquiteaprofessionalmanner，proceeded，wereachedabeautifulbasinofwater，withaflightofmarblestepsforbathers。
　　Althoughtheairwascoolourheadswerehot，andIconceivedtheideaoftellingthemthatitwoulddothemgoodtobathetheirfeet，andthatiftheywouldallowmeIwouldtakeofftheirshoesandstockings。
　　"Ishouldliketosomuch，"saidHedvig。
　　"AndItoo，"saidHelen。
　　"Thensitdown，ladies，onthefirststep。"
　　TheyproceededtositdownandIbegantotakeofftheirshoes，praisingthebeautyoftheirlegs，andpretendingforthepresentnottowanttogofartherthantheknee。Whentheygotintothewatertheywereobligedtopickuptheirclothes，andIencouragedthemtodoso。
　　"Well，well，"saidHedvig，"menhavethighstoo。"
　　Helen，whowouldhavebeenashamedtobebeatenbyhercousin，wasnotbackwardinshewingherlegs。
　　"Thatwilldo，charmingmaids，"saidI，"youmightcatchcoldifyoustayedlongerinthewater。"
　　Theywalkedupbackwards，stillholdinguptheirclothesforfearofwettingthem，anditwasthenmydutytowipethemdrywithallthehandkerchiefsIhad。Thispleasanttaskleftmeatfreedomtotouchandsee，andthereaderwillimaginethatIdidmybestinthatdirection。ThefairtheologiantoldmeIwantedtoknowtoomuch，butHelenletmedowhatIlikedwithsuchatenderandaffectionateexpressionthatitwasasmuchasIcoulddotokeepwithinbounds。Atlast，whenIhaddrawnontheirshoesandstockings，ItoldthemthatIwasdelightedtohaveseenthehiddencharmsofthetwoprettiestgirlsinGeneva。
　　"Whateffecthaditonyou？"askedHedvig。
　　"Idaren’ttellyoutolook，butfeel，bothofyou。"
　　"Doyoubathe，too。"
　　"It’soutofthequestion，aman’sundressingtakessomuchtrouble。"
　　"Butwehavestilltwohoursbeforeus，inwhichweneednotfearanyinterruption。"
　　ThisreplygavemeaforetasteoftheblissIhadtogain，butI
　　didnotwishtoexposemyselftoanillnessbygoingintothewaterinmypresentstate。Inoticedasummer—houseatalittledistance，andfeelingsurethatM。Tronchinhadleftthedooropen，Itookthetwogirlsonmyarmandledthemtherewithoutgivingthemanyhintofmyintentions。Thesummer—housewasscentedwithvasesofpot—pourriandadornedwithengravings；but，bestofall，therewasalargecouchwhichseemedmadeforreposeandpleasure。Isatdownonitbetweenmytwosweethearts，andasIcaressedthemItoldthemIwasgoingtoshewthemsomethingtheyhadneverseenbefore，andwithoutmoreadoIdisplayedtotheirgazetheprincipalagentinthepreservationofthehumanrace。Theygotuptoadmireit，andtakingahandofeachoneI
　　procuredthemsomeenjoyment，butinthemiddleoftheirlaboursanabundantflowofliquidthrewthemintothegreatestastonishment。
　　"That，"saidI，"istheWordwhichmakesmen。"
　　"It’sbeautiful！"criedHelen，laughingattheterm"word。"
　　"Ihaveawordtoo，"saidHedvig，"andIwillshewittoyouifyouwillwaitaminute。"
　　"Come，Hedvig，andIwillsaveyouthetroubleofmakingityourself，andwilldoitbetter。"
　　"Idaresay，butIhaveneverdoneitwithaman。"
　　"NomorehaveI，"saidHelen。
　　PlacingtheminfrontofmeIgavethemanotherecstacy。Wethensatdown，andwhileIfeltalltheircharmsIletthemtouchmeasmuchastheylikedtillIwateredtheirhandsasecondtime。
　　Wemadeourselvesdecentoncemore，andspenthalfanhourinkissesandcaresses，andIthentoldthemthattheyhadmademehappyonlyinpart，butthatIhopedtheywouldmakemyblisscompletebypresentingmewiththeirmaidenheads。Ishewedthemthelittlesafety—bagsinventedbytheEnglishintheinterestsofthefairsex。TheyadmiredthemgreatlywhenIexplainedtheiruse，andthefairtheologianremarkedtohercousinthatshewouldthinkitover。Wewerenowclosefriends，andsoonpromisedtobesomethingmore；andwewalkedbackandfoundthepastorandHelen’smotherstrollingbythesideofthelake。
　　WhenIgotbacktoGenevaIwenttospendtheeveningwiththethreefriends，butItookgoodcarenottotellthesyndicanythingaboutmyvictorywithHelen。Itwouldonlyhaveservedtorenewhishopes，andhewouldhavehadthistroublefornothing。EvenIwouldhavedonenogoodwithouttheyoungtheologian；butasHelenadmiredhershedidnotliketoappearherinferiorbyrefusingtoimitateherfreedom。
　　IdidnotseeHelenthatevening，butIsawherthenextdayathermother’shouse，forIwasinmerepolitenessboundtothanktheoldladyforthehonourshehaddoneme。Shegavemeamostfriendlyreception，andintroducedmetotwoveryprettygirlswhowereboardingwithher。TheymighthaveinterestedmeifIhadbeenstoppinglonginGeneva，butasifwasHelenclaimedallmyattraction。
　　"To—morrow，"saidthecharminggirl，"IshallbeabletogetawordwithyouatMadameTronchin’sdinner，andIexpectHedvigwillhavehitonsomewayforyoutosatisfyyourdesires。"
　　Thebankergaveusanexcellentdinner。Heproudlytoldmethatnoinn—keepercouldgivesuchagooddinnerasarichgentlemanwhohasagoodcook，agoodcellar，goodsilverplate，andchinaofthebestquality。Weweretwentyofusattable，andthefeastwasgivenchieflyinhonourofthelearnedtheologianandmyself，asarichforeignerwhospentmoneyfreely。M。deXimenes，whohadjustarrivedfromFerneywasthere，andtoldmethatM。deVoltairewasexpectingme，butIhadfoolishlydeterminednottogo。
　　Hedvigshoneinsolvingthequestionsputtoherbythecompany。
　　M。deXimenesbeggedhertojustifyasbestshecouldourfirstmother，whohaddeceivedherhusbandbygivinghimthefatalappletoeat。
　　"Eve，"shesaid，"didnotdeceiveherhusband，sheonlycajoledhimintoeatingitinthehopeofgivinghimonemoreperfection。
　　BesidesEvehadnotbeenforbiddentoeatthefruitbyGod，butonlybyAdam，andinallprobabilityherwoman’ssensepreventedherregardingtheprohibitionasserious。"
　　Atthisreply，whichIfoundfullofsenseandwit，twoscholarsfromGenevaandevenHedvig’sunclebegantomurmurandshaketheirheads。MadameTronchinsaidgravelythatEvehadreceivedtheprohibitionfromGodhimself，butthegirlonlyansweredbyahumble"Ibegyourpardon，madam。"Atthissheturnedtothepastorwithafrightenedmanner，andsaid，——
　　"Whatdoyousaytothis？"
　　"Madam，mynieceisnotinfallible。"
　　"Excuseme，dearuncle，IamasinfallibleasHolyWritwhenI
　　speakaccordingtoit。"
　　"BringaBible，andletmesee。"
　　"Hedvig，mydearHedvig，youarerightafterall。Hereitis。
　　Theprohibitionwasgivenbeforewomanwasmade。"
　　Everybodyapplauded，butHedvigremainedquitecalm；itwasonlythetwoscholarsandMadameTronchinwhostillseemeddisturbed。
　　Anotherladythenaskedherifitwasallowabletobelievethehistoryoftheappletobesymbolical。Shereplied，——
　　"Idonotthinkso，becauseitcouldonlybeasymbolofsexualunion，anditisclearthatsuchdidnottakeplacebetweenAdamandEveintheGardenofEden。"
　　"Thelearneddifferonthispoint。"
　　"Alltheworseforthem，madam，theScriptureisplainenough。Inthefirstverseofthefourthchapteritiswritten，thatAdamknewhiswifeaftertheyhadbeendrivenfromtheGarden，andthatinconsequencesheconceivedCain。"
　　"Yes，buttheversedoesnotsaythatAdamdidnotknowherbeforeandconsequentlyhemighthavedoneso。"
　　"Icannotadmittheinference，asinthatcaseshewouldhaveconceived；foritwouldbeabsurdtosupposethattwocreatureswhohadjustleftGod’shands，andwereconsequentlyasnearlyperfectasispossible，couldperformtheactofgenerationwithoutitshavinganyresult。"
　　Thisreplygainedeveryone’sapplause，andcomplimentstoHedvigmadetheroundofthetable。
　　Mr。TronchinaskedherifthedoctrineoftheimmortalityofthesoulcouldbegatheredfromtheOldTestamentalone。
　　"TheOldTestament，"shereplied，"doesnotteachthisdoctrine；
　　but，nevertheless，humanreasonteachesit，asthesoulisasubstance，andthedestructionofanysubstanceisanunthinkableproposition。"
　　"ThenIwillaskyou，"saidthebanker，"iftheexistenceofthesoulisestablishedintheBible。"
　　"Wherethereissmokethereisalwaysfire。"
　　"Tellme，then，ifmattercanthink。"
　　"Icannotanswerthatquestion，foritisbeyondmyknowledge。I
　　canonlysaythatasIbelieveGodtobeallpowerful，IcannotdenyHimthepowertomakemattercapableofthought。"
　　"Butwhatisyourownopinion？"
　　"IbelievethatIhaveasoulendowedwiththinkingcapacities，butIdonotknowwhetherIshallrememberthatIhadthehonourofdiningwithyouto—dayafterIdie。"
　　"Thenyouthinkthatthesoulandthememorymaybeseparable；butinthatcaseyouwouldnotbeatheologian。"
　　"Onemaybeatheologianandaphilosopher，forphilosophynevercontradictsanytruth，andbesides，tosay’Idonotknow’isnotthesameas’Iamsure’"
　　Threepartsoftheguestsburstintocriesofadmiration，andthefairphilosopherenjoyedseeingmelaughforpleasureattheapplause。Thepastorweptforjoy，andwhisperedsomethingtoHelen’smother。Allatonceheturnedtome，saying，——
　　"Askmyniecesomequestion。"
　　"Yes，"saidHedvig，"butitmustbesomethingquitenew。"
　　"Thatisahardtask，"Ireplied，"forhowamItoknowthatwhatIaskisnewtoyou？However，tellmeifonemuststopatthefirstprincipleofathingonewantstounderstand。"
　　"Certainly，andthereasonisthatinGodthereisnofirstprinciple，andHeisthereforeincomprehensible。"
　　"Godbepraised！thatishowIwouldhaveyouanswer。CanGodhaveanyself—consciousness？"
　　"Theremylearningisbaffled。Iknownotwhattoreply。Youshouldnotaskmesohardathingasthat。"
　　"Butyouwishedforsomethingnew。Ithoughtthenewestthingwouldbetoseeyouataloss。"
　　"That’sprettilysaid。Bekindenoughtoreplyforme，gentlemen，andteachmewhattosay。"
　　Everybodytriedtoanswer，butnothingwassaidworthyofrecord。
　　Hedvigatlastsaid，——
　　"MyopinionisthatsinceGodknowsall，HeknowsofHisownexistence，butyoumustnotaskmehowHeknowsit。"
　　"That’swellsaid，"Ianswered；andnobodycouldthrowanyfurtherlightonthematter。
　　AllthecompanylookedonmeasapoliteAtheist，sosuperficialisthejudgmentofsociety，butitdidnotmattertomewhethertheythoughtmeanAtheistornot。
　　M。deXimenesaskedHedvigifmatterhadbeencreated。
　　"Icannotrecognizetheword’created，’"shereplied。"Askmewhethermatterwasformed，andIshallreplyintheaffirmative。
　　Theword’created’cannothaveexistence，fortheexistenceofanythingmustbepriortothewordwhichexplainsit。"
　　"Thenwhatmeaningdoyouassigntotheword’created’？"
　　"Madeoutofnothing。Youseetheabsurdity，fornothingmusthavefirstexisted。Iamgladtoseeyoulaugh。Doyouthinkthatnothingnesscouldbecreated？"
　　"Youareright。"
　　"Notatall，notatall，"saidoneoftheguests，superciliously。
　　"Kindlytellmewhowasyourteacher？"saidM。deXimenes。
　　"Myunclethere。"
　　"Notatall，mydearniece。Icertainlynevertaughtyouwhatyouhavebeentellingusto—day。Butmyniece，gentlemen，readsandreflectsoverwhatshehasread，perhapswithrathertoomuchfreedom，butIloveherallthesame，becauseshealwaysendsbyacknowledgingthatsheknowsnothing。"
　　AladywhohadnotopenedherlipshithertoaskedHedvigforadefinitionofspirit。
　　"Yourquestionisapurelyphilosophicalone，andImustanswerthatIdonotknowenoughofspiritormattertobeabletogiveasatisfactorydefinition。"
　　"ButsinceyouacknowledgetheexistenceofDeityandmustthereforehaveanabstractideaofspirit，youmusthavesomenotionsonthesubject，andshouldbeabletotellmehowitactsonmatter。"
　　"Nosolidfoundationcanbebuiltonabstractideas。Hobbescallssuchideasmerefantasms。Onemayhavethem，butifonebeginstoreasononthem，oneislandedincontradiction。IknowthatGodseesme，butIshouldlabourinvainifIendeavouredtoproveitbyreasoning，forreasontellsusnoonecanseeanythingwithoutorgansofsight；andGodbeingapurespirit，andthereforewithoutorgans，itisscientificallyimpossiblethatHecanseeusanymorethanwecanseeHim。ButMosesandseveralothershaveseenHim，andIbelieveitso，withoutattemptingtoreasononit。"
　　"Youarequiteright，"saidI，"foryouwouldbeconfrontedbyblankimpossibility。ButifyoutaketoreadingHobbesyouareindangerofbecominganAtheist。"
　　"Iamnotafraidofthat。IcannotconceivethepossibilityofAtheism。"
　　Afterdinnereverybodycrowdedroundthistrulyastonishinggirl，sothatIhadnoopportunityofwhisperingmylove。However，I
　　wentapartwithHelen，whotoldmethatthepastorandhisnieceweregoingtosupwithhermotherthefollowingday。
　　"Hedvig，"sheadded，"willstaythenightandsleepwithmeasshealwaysdoeswhenshecomestosupperwithheruncle。ItremainstobeseenifyouarewillingtohideinaplaceIwillshewyouateleveno’clocktomorrow，inordertosleepwithus。Callonmymotheratthathourto—morrow，andIwillfindanopportunityofshewingyouwhereitis。Youwillbesafethoughnotcomfortable，andifyougrowwearyyoucanconsoleyourselfbythinkingthatyouareinourminds。"
　　"ShallIhavetostaytherelong？"
　　"Fourhoursatthemost。Atseveno’clockthestreetdoorisshut，andonlyopenedtoanyonewhorings。"
　　"IfIhappentocoughwhileIaminhidingmightIbeheard？"
　　"Yes，thatmighthappen。"
　　"There’sagreathazard。Alltherestisofnoconsequence；butnomatter，Iwillriskallforthesakeofsogreathappiness。"
　　InthemorningIpaidthemotheravisit，andasHelenwasescortingmeoutsheshewedmeadoorbetweenthetwostairs。
　　"Atseveno’clock，"saidshe，"thedoorwillbeopen，andwhenyouareinputonthebolt。Takecarethatnooneseesyouasyouareenteringthehouse。"
　　AtaquartertosevenIwasalreadyaprisoner。Ifoundaseatinmycell，otherwiseIshouldneitherhavebeenabletoliedownortostandup。Itwasaregularhole，andIknewbymysenseofsmellthathamsandcheeseswereusuallykeptthere；butitcontainednoneatpresent，forIfellallroundtoseehowthelandlay。AsIwascautiouslysteppingroundIfeltmyfootencountersomeresistance，andputtingdownmyhandIrecognizedthefeeloflinen。Itwasanapkincontainingtwoplates，aniceroastfowl，bread，andasecondnapkin。SearchingagainIcameacrossabottleandaglass。Iwasgratefultomycharmersforhavingthoughtofmystomach，butasIhadpurposelymadealateandheavymealIdeterminedtodefertheconsumptionofmycoldcollationtillalaterhour。
　　Atnineo’clockIbegan，andasIhadneitheraknifenoracorkscrewIwasobligedtobreaktheneckofthebottlewithabrickwhichIwasfortunatelyabletodetachfromthemoulderingfloor。ThewinewasdeliciousoldNeuchatel，andthefowlwasstuffedwithtruffles，andIfeltconvincedthatmytwonymphsmusthavesomerudimentaryideasonthesubjectofstimulants。I
　　shouldhavepassedthetimepleasantlyenoughifithadnotbeenfortheoccasionalvisitsofarat，whonearlymademesickwithhisdisgustingodour。IrememberedthatIhadbeenannoyedinthesamewayatCologneundersomewhatsimilarcircumstances。
　　Atlastteno’clockstruck，andIheardthepastor’svoiceashecamedownstairstalking；hewarnedthegirlsnottoplayanytrickstogether，andtogotosleepquietly。ThatbroughtbacktomymemoryM。RoseleavingMadameOrio’shouseatVenicetwenty—twoyearsbefore；andreflectingonmycharacterIfoundmyselfmuchchanged，thoughnotmorereasonable；butifIwasnotsosensibletothecharmsofthesex，thetwobeautieswhowereawaitingmeweremuchsuperiortoMadameOrio’snieces。
　　InmylongandprofligatecareerinwhichIhaveturnedtheheadsofsomehundredsofladies，Ihavebecomefamiliarwithallthemethodsofseduction；butmyguidingprinciplehasbeennevertodirectmyattackagainstnovicesorthosewhoseprejudiceswerelikelytoproveanobstacleexceptinthepresenceofanotherwoman。Isoonfoundoutthattimiditymakesagirlaversetobeingseduced，whileincompanywithanothergirlsheiseasilyconquered；theweaknessoftheonebringsonthefalloftheother。Fathersandmothersareofthecontraryopinion，buttheyareinthewrong。Theywillnottrusttheirdaughtertotakeawalkorgotoaballwithayoungman，butifshehasanothergirlwithherthereisnodifficultymade。Irepeat，theyareinthewrong；iftheyoungmanhastherequisiteskilltheirdaughterisalostwoman。Afeelingoffalseshamehindersthemfrommakinganabsoluteanddeterminedresistance，andthefirststeponcetakentherestcomesinevitablyandquickly。Thegirlgrantssomesmallfavour，andimmediatelymakesherfriendgrantamuchgreateronetohideherownblushes；andiftheseduceriscleverathistradetheyounginnocentwillsoonhavegonetoofartobeabletodrawback。Besidesthemoreinnocenceagirlhas，thelesssheknowsofthemethodsofseduction。Beforeshehashadtimetothink，pleasureattractsher，curiositydrawsheralittlefarther，andopportunitydoestherest。
　　Forexample，ImightpossiblyhavebeenabletoseduceHedvigwithoutHelen，butIamcertainIshouldneverhavesucceededwithHelenifshehadnotseenhercousintakelibertieswithmewhichshenodoubtthoughtcontrarytothefeelingsofmodestywhicharespectableyoungwomanoughttohave。
　　ThoughIdonotrepentofmyamorousexploits，Iamfarfromwishingthatmyexampleshouldservefortheperversionofthefairsex，whohavesomanyclaimsonmyhomage。IdesirethatwhatIsaymaybeawarningtofathersandmothers，andsecuremeaplaceintheiresteematanyrate。
　　SoonafterthepastorhadgoneIheardthreelightknocksonmyprisondoor。Iopenedit，andmyhandwasfoldedinapalmassoftassatin。Allmybeingwasmoved。ItwasHelen’shand，andthathappymomenthadalreadyrepaidmeformylongwaiting。
　　"Followmeontiptoe，"shewhispered，assoonasshehadshutthedoor；butinmyimpatienceIclaspedherinmyarms，andmadeherfeeltheeffectwhichhermerepresencehadproducedonme，whileatthesametimeIassuredmyselfofherdocility。"There，"shesaid，"nowcomeupstairssoftlyafterme。"
　　IfollowedherasbestIcouldinthedarkness，andshetookmealongagalleryintoadarkroom，andthenintoalightedonewhichcontainedHedvigalmostinastateofnudity。Shecametomewithopenarmsassoonasshesawme，and，embracingmeardently，expressedhergratitudeformylonganddrearyimprisonment。
　　"DivineHedvig，"Ianswered，"ifIhadnotlovedyoumadlyIwouldnothavestayedaquarterofanhourinthatdismalcell，butIamreadytospendfourhoursthereeverydaytillIleaveGenevaforyoursake。Butwemustnotloseanytime；letusgotobed。"
　　"Doyoutwogotobed，"saidHelen；"Iwillsleeponthesofa。"
　　"No，no，"criedHedvig，"don’tthinkofit；ourfatemustbeexactlyequal。"
　　"Yes，darlingHelen，"saidI，embracingher；"Iloveyoubothwithequalardour，andtheseceremoniesareonlywastingthetimeinwhichIoughttobeassuringyouofmypassion。Imitatemyproceedings。Iamgoingtoundress，andthenIshalllieinthemiddleofthebed。Comeandliebesideme，andI’llshewyouhowIloveyou。IfallissafeIwillremainwithyoutillyousendmeaway，butwhateveryoudodonotputoutthelight。"
　　Inthetwinklingofaneye，discussingthetheoryofshamethewhilewiththetheologicalHedvig，IpresentedmyselftotheirgazeinthecostumeofAdam。Hedvigblushedandpartedwiththelastshredofhermodesty，citingtheopinionofSt。ClementAlexandrinusthattheseatofshameisintheshirt。Ipraisedthecharmingperfectionofhershape，inthehopeofencouragingHelen，whowasslowlyundressingherself；butanaccusationofmockmodestyfromhercousinhadmoreeffectthanallmypraises。
　　AtlastthisVenusstoodbeforemeinastateofnature，coveringhermostsecretpartswithherhand，andhidingonebreastwiththeother，andappearingwoefullyashamedofwhatshecouldnotconceal。Hermodestconfusion，thisstrifebetweendepartingmodestyandrisingpassion，enchantedme。
　　HedvigwastallerthanHelen；herskinwaswhiter，andherbreastsdoublethesizeofHelen’s；butinHelentherewasmoreanimation，hershapewasmoregentlymoulded，andherbreastmighthavebeenthemodelfortheVenusdeMedicis。
　　Shegotbolderbydegrees，andwespentsomemomentsinadmiringeachother，andthenwewenttobed。Naturespokeoutloudly，andallwewantedwastosatisfyitsdemands。WithmuchcoolnessI
　　madeawomanofHedvig，andwhenallwasovershekissedmeandsaidthatthepainwasnothingincomparisonwiththepleasure。
　　TheturnofHelen（whowassixyearsyoungerthanHedvig）nowcame，butthefinestfleecethatIhaveeverseenwasnotwonwithoutdifficulty。Shewasjealousofhercousin’ssuccess，andhelditopenwithhertwohands；andthoughshehadtosubmittogreatpainbeforebeinginitiatedintotheamorousmysteries，hersighsweresighsofhappiness，assherespondedtomyardentefforts。Hergreatcharmsandthevivacityofhermovementsshortenedthesacrifice，andwhenIleftthesanctuarymytwosweetheartssawthatIneededrepose。
　　Thealterwaspurifiedofthebloodofthevictims，andweallwashed，delightedtoserveoneanother。
　　Lifereturnedtomeundertheircuriousfingers，andthesightfilledthemwithjoy。ItoldthemthatIwishedtoenjoythemeverynighttillIleftGeneva，buttheytoldmesadlythatthiswasimpossible。
　　"Infiveorsixdaystime，perhaps，theopportunitymayrecuragain，butthatwillbeall。"
　　"Askustosupatyourinnto—morrow，"saidHedvig；"andmaybe，chancewillfavourthecommissionofasweetfelony。"
　　Ifollowedthisadvice。
　　Ioverwhelmedthemwithhappinessforseveralhours，passingfiveorsixtimesfromonetotheotherbeforeIwasexhausted。Intheintervals，seeingthemtobedocileanddesirous，ImadethemexecuteAretin’smostcomplicatedpostures，whichamusedthembeyondwords。Wekissedwhatevertookourfancy，andjustasHedvigappliedherlipstothemouthofthepistol，itwentoffandthedischargeinundatedherfaceandherbosom。Shewasdelighted，andwatchedtheprocesstotheendwithallthecuriosityofadoctor。Thenightseemedshort，thoughwehadnotlostamoment’stime，andatdaybreakwehadtopart。IlefttheminbedandIwasfortunateenoughtogetawaywithoutbeingobserved。
　　Islepttillnoon，andthenhavingmademytoiletteIwenttocallonthepastor，towhomIpraisedHedvigtotheskies。ThiswasthebestwaytogethimtocometosupperatBalancesthenextday。
　　"Weshallbeinthetown，"saidI，"andcanremaintogetheraslongasweplease，butdonotforgettobringtheamiablewidowandhercharmingdaughter。"
　　Hepromisedhewouldbringthemboth。
　　IntheeveningIwenttoseethesyndicandhisthreefriends，whonaturallyfoundmeratherinsensibletotheircharms。IexcusedmyselfbysayingthatIhadabadheadache。ItoldthemthatI
　　hadaskedtheyoungtheologiantosupper，andinvitedthegirlsandthesyndictocometoo；but，asIhadforeseen，thelatterwouldnothearoftheirgoingasitwouldgiverisetogossip。
　　Itookcarethatthemostexquisitewinesshouldformanimportantfeatureofmysupper。Thepastorandthewidowwerebothsturdydrinkers，andIdidmybesttopleasethem。WhenIsawthattheywereprettymellowandweregoingovertheiroldrecollections，I
　　madeasigntothegirls，andtheyimmediatelywentoutasiftogotoaretiring—room。UnderpretextofshewingthemthewayI
　　wentouttoo，andtookthemintoaroomtellingthemtowaitforme。
　　Iwentbacktothesupper—room，andfindingtheoldfriendstakenupwitheachotherandscarcelyconsciousofmypresence，Igavethemsomepunch，andtoldthemthatIwouldkeeptheyoungladiescompany；theywerelookingatsomepictures，Iexplained。Ilostnotime，andshewedthemsomeextremelyinterestingsights。Thesestolensweetshaveawonderfulcharm。Whenweweretosomeextentsatisfied，wewentback，andIpliedthepunch—ladlemoreandmorefreely。Helenpraisedthepicturestohermother，andaskedhertocomeandlookatthem。
　　"Idon’tcareto，"shereplied。
　　"Well，"saidHelen，"letusgoandseethemagain。"
　　Ithoughtthisstratagemadmissible，andgoingoutwithmytwosweetheartsIworkedwonders。Hedvigphilosophisedoverpleasure，andtoldmeshewouldneverhaveknownitifIhadnotchancedtomeetheruncle。Helendidnotspeak；shewasmorevoluptuousthanhercousin，andswelledoutlikeadove，andcametolifeonlytoexpireamomentafterwards。Iwonderedatherastonishingfecundity；whileIwasengagedinoneoperationshepassedfromdeathtolifefourteentimes。Itistruethatitwasthesixthtimewithme，soImademyprogressratherslowertoenjoythepleasureshetookinit。
　　BeforewepartedIagreedtocallonHelen’smothereverydaytoascertainthenightIcouldspendwiththembeforeIleftGeneva。
　　Webrokeupourpartyattwoo’clockinthemorning。
　　Threeorfourdaysafter，HelentoldmebrieflythatHedvigwastosleepwithherthatnight，andthatshewouldleavethedooropenatthesametimeasbefore。
　　"Iwillbethere。"
　　"AndIwillbetheretoshutyouup，butyoucannothavealightastheservantmightseeit。"
　　Iwasexacttothetime，andwhenteno’clockstrucktheycametofetchmeinhighglee。
　　"Iforgottotellyou，"saidHelen，"thatyouwouldfindafowlthere。"
　　Ifelthungry，andmadeshortworkofit，andthenwegaveourselvesuptohappiness。
　　Ihadtosetoutonmytravelsintwodays。IhadreceivedacoupleoflettersfromM。Raiberti。InthefirsthetoldmethathehadfollowedmyinstructionsastotheCorticelli，andinthesecondthatshewouldprobablyhepaidfordancingatthecarnivalasfirst’figurante’。IhadnothingtokeepmeatGeneva，andMadamed’Urfe，accordingtoouragreement，wouldbewaitingformeatLyons。Iwasthereforeobligedtogothere。ThusthenightthatIwastopasswithmytwocharmerswouldbemylast。
　　Mylessonshadtakeneffect，andIfoundtheyhadbecomepastmistressesintheartofpleasure。Butnowandagainjoygaveplacetosadness。
　　"Weshallbewretched，sweetheart，"saidHedvig，"andifyoulikewewillcomewithyou。"
　　"Ipromisetocomeandseeyoubeforetwoyearshaveexpired，"
　　saidI；andinfacttheyhadnotsolongtowait。
　　Wefellasleepatmidnight，andwakingatfourrenewedoursweetbattlestillsixo’clock。HalfanhourafterIleftthem，wornoutwithmyexertions，andIremainedinbedallday。IntheeveningIwenttoseethesyndicandhisyoungfriends。IfoundHelenthere，andshewascunningenoughtofeignnottobemorevexedatmydeparturethantheothers，andtofurtherthedeceptionsheallowedthesyndictokissher。Ifollowedsuit，andbeggedhertobidfarewellformetoherlearnedcousinandtoexcusemytakingleaveofherinperson。
　　ThenextdayIsetoutintheearlymorning，andonthefollowingdayIreachedLyons。Madamed’Urfewasnotthere，shehadgonetoanestateofhersatBresse。Ifoundaletterinwhichshesaidthatshewouldbedelightedtoseeme，andIwaitedonherwithoutlosinganytime。
　　Shegreetedmewithherordinarycordiality，andItoldherthatI
　　wasgoingtoTurintomeetFredericGualdo，theheadoftheFraternityoftheRosyCross，andIrevealedtoherbytheoraclethathewouldcomewithmetoMarseilles，andthattherehewouldcompleteherhappiness。AfterhavingreceivedthisoracleshewouldnotgotoParisbeforeshesawus。TheoraclealsobadeherwaitformeatLyonswithyoungd’Aranda；whobeggedmetotakehimwithmetoTurin。ItmaybeimaginedthatIsucceededinputtinghimoff。
　　Madamed’UrfehadtowaitafortnighttogetmefiftythousandfrancswhichImightrequireonmyjourney。InthecourseofthisfortnightImadetheacquaintanceofMadamePernon，andspentagooddealofmoneywithherhusband，arichmercer，inrefurnishingmywardrobe。MadamePernonwashandsomeandintelligent。ShehadaMilaneselover，namedBono，whodidbusinessforaSwissbankernamedSacco。ItwasthroughMadamePeronthatBonogotMadamed’UrfethefiftythousandfrancsI
　　required。ShealsogavemethethreedresseswhichshehadpromisedtotheCountessofLascaris，butwhichthatladyhadneverseen。
　　Oneofthesedresseswasfurred，andwasexquisitelybeautiful。I
　　leftLyonsequippedlikeaprince，andjourneyedtowardsTurin，whereIwastomeetthefamousGualdo，whowasnoneotherthanAscanioPogomas，whomIhadsummonedfromBerne。IthoughtitwouldbeeasytomakethefellowplaythepartIhaddestinedforhim，butIwascruellydeceivedasthereaderwillsee。
　　IcouldnotresiststoppingatChamberitoseemyfairnun，whomI
　　foundlookingbeautifulandcontented。Shewasgrieving，however，aftertheyoungboarder，whohadbeentakenfromtheconventandmarried。
　　IgottoTurinatthebeginningofDecember，andatRivoliIfoundtheCorticelli，whohadbeenwarnedbytheChevalierdeRaibertiofmyarrival。Shegavemealetterfromthisworthygentleman，givingtheaddressofthehousehehadtakenformeasIdidnotwanttoputupataninn。Iimmediatelywenttotakepossessionofmynewlodging。
　　CHAPTERXVII
　　MyOldFriends——Pacienza——Agatha——CountBoryomeo——TheBall——LordPercyTheCorticelliwasasgentleasalamb，andleftmeaswegotintoTurin。IpromisedIwouldcomeandseeher，andimmediatelywenttothehousetheChevalierhadtaken，whichIfoundconvenientineveryway。
　　TheworthyChevalierwasnotlongincallingonme。HegavemeanaccountofthemoneyshehadspentontheCorticelli，andhandedovertheresttome。
　　"Iamflushofmoney，"Isaid，"andIintendtoinvitemyfriendstosupperfrequently。Canyoulayyourhandsonagoodcook？"
　　"Iknowapearlamongstcooks，"saidhe，"andyoucanhavehimdirectly。"
　　"You，chevalier，arethepearlofmen。Getmethiswonder，tellhimIamhardtoplease，andagreeonthesumIamtopayhimpermonth。"
　　Thecook，whowasanexcellentone，camethesameevening。
　　"Itwouldbeagoodidea，"saidRaiberti，"tocallontheCountd’Aglie。HeknowsthattheCorticelliisyourmistress，andhehasgivenaformalordertoMadamePacienza，theladywithwhomshelives，thatwhenyoucomeandseeheryouarenottobeleftalonetogether。"
　　Thisorderamusedme，andasIdidnotcareabouttheCorticelliitdidnottroublemeintheleast，thoughRaiberti，whothoughtI
　　wasinlovewithher，seemedtopityme。
　　"Sinceshehasbeenhere，"hesaid，"herconducthasbeenirreproachable。"
　　"Iamgladtohearthat。"
　　"Youmightlethertakesomelessonsfromthedancing—masterDupre，"saidhe。"Hewillnodoubtgivehersomethingtodoatthecarnival。"
　　Ipromisedtofollowhisadvice，andIthenpaidavisittothesuperintendentofpolice。
　　Hereceivedmewell，complimentedmeonmyreturntoTurin，andthenaddedwithasmile:——
　　"IwarnyouthatIhavebeeninformedthatyoukeepamistress，andthatIhavegivenstrictorderstotherespectablewomanwithwhomshelivesnottoleaveheralonewithyou。"
　　"Iamgladtohearit，"Ireplied，"andthemoreasIfearhermotherisnotapersonofveryrigidmorals。IadvisedtheChevalierRaibertiofmyintentionswithregardtoher，andIamgladtoseethathehascarriedthemoutsowell。Ihopethegirlwillshewherselfworthyofyourprotection。"
　　"Doyouthinkofstayingherethroughoutthecarnival？"
　　"Yes，ifyourexcellencyapproves。"
　　"Itdependsentirelyonyourgoodconduct。"
　　"Afewpeccadilloesexcepted，myconductisalwaysabovereproach。"
　　"Therearesomepeccadilloeswedonottoleratehere。HaveyouseentheChevalierOsorio？"
　　"Ithinkofcallingonhimto—dayorto—morrow。"
　　"Ihopeyouwillremembermetohim。"
　　Heranghisbell，bowed，andtheaudiencewasover。
　　TheChevalierOsorioreceivedmeathisoffice，andgavemeamostgraciousreception。AfterIhadgivenhimanaccountofmyvisittothesuperintendent，heaskedme，withasmile，ifIfeltinclinedtosubmitwithdocilitytonotseeingmymistressinfreedom。