TheDukeinthebeginningofhermourningdurstpayhernootherrespectsbutsuchasdecencyrequired；heknewMadamdeClevesenoughtobesensiblethatgreatimportunitiesandeagernesswouldbedisagreeabletoher；butwhathelearnedafterwardsplainlyconvincedhimthatheoughttoobservethesameconductagreatwhilelonger。
　　AservantoftheDuke’sinformedhimthatMonsieurdeCleves’sgentleman，whowashisintimatefriend，hadtoldhim，intheexcessofhisgriefforthelossofhismaster，thatMonsieurdeNemours’sjourneytoColomierswastheoccasionofhisdeath。
　　TheDukewasextremelysurprisedtohearthis；butafterhavingreflecteduponit，heguessedthetruthinpart，andrightlyjudgedwhatMadamdeCleves’ssentimentswouldbeatfirst，andwhatadistanceitwouldthrowhimfromher，ifshethoughtherhusband’sillnesswasoccasionedbyhisjealousy；hewasofopinionthatheoughtnotsomuchastoputherinmindofhisnameverysoon，andheabidedbythatconduct，howeversevereitappearedtohim。
　　HetookajourneytoParis，norcouldheforbearcallingatherhousetoenquirehowshedid。Hewastold，thatshesawnobody，andthatshehadevengivenstrictordersthattheyshouldnottroubleherwithanaccountofanythatmightcometoseeher；
　　thoseverystrictorders，perhaps，weregivenwithaviewtotheDuke，andtopreventherhearinghimspokenof；buthewastoomuchinlovetobeabletolivesoabsolutelydeprivedofthesightofMadamdeCleves；heresolvedtofindthemeans，letthedifficultybewhatitwould，togetoutofaconditionwhichwassoinsupportabletohim。
　　ThegriefofthatPrincessexceededtheboundsofreason；ahusbanddying，anddyingonheraccount，andwithsomuchtendernessforher，neverwentoutofhermind：shecontinuallyrevolvedinherthoughtswhatsheowedhim，andshecondemnedherselffornothavinghadapassionforhim，asifthathadbeenathingwhichdependedonherself；shefoundnoconsolationbutinthethoughtthatshelamentedhimashedeservedtobelamented，andthatshewoulddonothingduringtheremainderofherlife，butwhathewouldhavebeengladsheshouldhavedone，hadhelived。
　　Shehadoftenbeenthinkinghowhecametoknow，thattheDukedeNemourshadbeenatColomiers；shecouldnotsuspectthattheDukehimselfhadtoldit；thoughitwasindifferenttoherwhetherhehadorno，shethoughtherselfsoperfectlycuredofthepassionshehadhadforhim；andyetshewasgrievedatthehearttothinkthathewasthecauseofherhusband’sdeath；andsherememberedwithpainthefearMonsieurdeClevesexpressed，whendying，lestsheshouldmarrytheDuke；butallthesegriefswereswallowedupinthatforthelossofherhusband，andshethoughtshehadnootherbutthatone。
　　Afterseveralmonthstheviolenceofhergriefabated，andshefellintoalanguishingkindofmelancholy。MadamdeMartiguesmadeajourneytoParis，andconstantlyvisitedherduringthetimeshestayedthere：sheentertainedherwithanaccountoftheCourt，andwhatpassedthere；andthoughMadamdeClevesappearedunconcerned，yetstillshecontinuedtalkingonthatsubjectinhopestodiverther。
　　ShetalkedtoheroftheViscount，ofMonsieurdeGuise，andofallothersthatweredistinguishedeitherinpersonormerit。
　　"AsfortheDukedeNemours，"saysshe，"Idon’tknowifStateaffairshavenottakenpossessionofhisheartintheroomofgallantry；heisabundantlylessgaythanheusedtobe，andseemswhollytodeclinethecompanyofwomen；heoftenmakesjourneystoParis，andIbelieveheistherenow。"TheDukedeNemours’snamesurprisedMadamdeCleves，andmadeherblush；shechangedthediscourse，nordidMadamdeMartiguestakenoticeofherconcern。
　　ThenextdayMadamdeCleves，whoemployedherselfinthingssuitabletotheconditionshewasin，wenttoaman’shouseinherneighbourhood，thatwasfamousforworkingsilkafteraparticularmanner，andshedesignedtobespeaksomepiecesforherself；havingseenseveralkindsofhiswork，shespiedachamberdoor，whereshethoughtthereweremore，anddesireditmightbeopened：themasteranswered，hehadnotthekey，andthattheroomwastakenbyaman，whocametheresometimesinthedaytimetodrawtheplansandprospectsofthefinehousesandgardensthatweretobeseenfromhiswindows；"heisoneofthehandsomestmenIeversaw，"addedhe，"anddoesnotlookmuchlikeonethatworksforhisliving；wheneverhecomeshere，I
　　observehealwayslookstowardsthegardensandhouses，butI
　　neverseehimwork。"
　　MadamdeCleveslistenedtothisstoryveryattentively，andwhatMadamdeMartigueshadtoldherofMonsieurdeNemours’scomingnowandthentoParis，sheappliedinherfancytothathandsomeman，whocametoaplacesonearherhouse；andthisgaveheranideaofMonsieurdeNemoursendeavouringtoseeher；whichraisedadisorderinher，ofwhichshedidnotknowthecause：shewenttowardsthewindowstoseewheretheylookedinto，andshefoundtheyoverlookedallhergardens，anddirectlyfacedherapartment：andwhenshewasinherownroom，shecouldeasilyseethatverywindowwhereshewastoldthemancametotakehisprospects。ThethoughtthatitwastheDukedeNemours，entirelychangedthesituationofhermind；shenolongerfoundherselfinthatpensivetranquillitywhichshehadbeguntoenjoy，herspiritswereruffledagainaswithatempest：atlast，notbeingabletostayathome，shewentabroadtotaketheairinagardenwithoutthesuburbs，whereshehopedtobealone；shewalkedaboutagreatwhile，andfoundnolikelihoodofanyone’sbeingthere。
　　Havingcrossedalittlewildernesssheperceivedattheendofthewalk，inthemostremotepartofthegarden，akindofabower，openonallsides，andwenttowardsit；whenshewasnear，shesawamanlyingonthebenches，whoseemedsunkintoadeepcontemplation，andshediscovereditwastheDukedeNemours。
　　Uponthisshestoppedshort：butherattendantsmadesomenoise，whichrousedtheDukeoutofhismusing：hetooknonoticewhothepersonswerethatdisturbedhim，butgotupinordertoavoidthecompanythatwascomingtowardshim，andmakingalowbow，whichhinderedhimfromseeingthosehesaluted，heturnedintoanotherwalk。
　　Ifhehadknownwhomheavoided，withwhateagernesswouldhehavereturned？Buthewalkeddownthealley，andMadamdeClevessawhimgooutatabackdoor，wherehiscoachwaitedforhim。
　　WhataneffectdidthistransientviewproduceintheheartofMadamdeCleves？Whataflamerekindledoutoftheembersofherlove，andwithwhatviolencediditburn？ShewentandsatdowninthesameplacefromwhichMonsieurdeNemourswasnewlyrisen，andseemedperfectlyoverwhelmed；hisimageimmediatelypossessedherfancy，andsheconsideredhimasthemostamiablepersonintheworld，asonewhohadlonglovedherwithapassionfullofvenerationandsincerity，slightingallforher，payingrespecteventohergrief，tohisowntorture，labouringtoseeherwithoutathoughtofbeingseenbyher，quittingtheCourt（thoughtheCourt’sdelight）tocomeandlookonthewallswhereshewasshutup，andtopasshismelancholyhoursinplaceswherehecouldnothopetomeether；inaword，amanwhoseattachmenttoheralonemeritedreturnsoflove，andforwhomshehadsostronganinclination，thatsheshouldhavelovedhim，thoughshehadnotbeenbelovedbyhim；andbesides，onewhosequalitywassuitabletohers：alltheobstaclesthatcouldrisefromdutyandvirtuewerenowremoved，andallthetracethatremainedonhermindoftheirformerconditionwasthepassiontheDukedeNemourshadforher，andthatwhichshehadforhim。
　　Alltheseideaswerenewtoher；herafflictionforthedeathofherhusbandhadlefthernoroomforthoughtsofthiskind，butthesightofMonsieurdeNemoursrevivedthem，andtheycrowdedagainintohermind；butwhenshehadtakenherfillofthem，andrememberedthatthisveryman，whomsheconsideredasapropermatchforher，wasthesameshehadlovedinherhusband’slifetime，andwasthecauseofhisdeath，andthatonhisdeath-bedhehadexpressedafearofhermarryinghim，herseverevirtuewassoshockedattheimagination，thatshethoughtitwouldbeascriminalinhertomarryMonsieurdeNemoursnow，asitwastolovehimbefore：inshort，sheabandonedherselftothesereflectionssopernicioustoherhappiness，andfortifiedherselfinthembytheinconveniencywhichsheforesawwouldattendsuchamarriage。Aftertwohours’stayinthisplaceshereturnedhome，convincedthatitwasindispensablyherdutytoavoidthesightofthemansheloved。
　　Butthisconviction，whichwastheeffectofreasonandvirtue，didnotcarryherheartalongwithit；herheartwassoviolentlyfixedontheDukedeNemours，thatshebecameevenanobjectofcompassion，andwaswhollydeprivedofrest。Neverdidshepassanightinsouneasyamanner；inthemorning，thefirstthingshedidwastoseeiftherewasanybodyatthewindowwhichlookedtowardsherapartment；shesawthereMonsieurdeNemours，andwassosurpriseduponit，andwithdrewsohastily，asmadehimjudgesheknewhim；hehadoftenwishedtobeseenbyher，eversincehehadfoundoutthatmethodofseeingher，andwhenhehadnohopesofobtainingthatsatisfaction，hiswaywastogotomuseinthegardenwhereshefoundhim。
　　Tiredatlastwithsounfortunateanduncertainacondition，heresolvedtoattemptsomethingtodeterminehisfate："WhatshouldIwaitfor？"saidhe。"Ihavelongknownshelovesme；
　　sheisfree；shehasnodutynowtopleadagainstme；whyshouldIsubmitmyselftothehardshipofseeingher，withoutbeingseenbyherorspeakingtoher？Isitpossibleforlovesoabsolutelytohavedeprivedmeofreasonandcourage，andtohaverenderedmesodifferentfromwhatIhavebeeninallmyotheramours？ItwasfitIshouldpayaregardtoMadamdeCleves’sgrief；butI
　　doittoolong，andIgiveherleisuretoextinguishtheinclinationshehadforme。"
　　Afterthesereflections，heconsideredwhatmeasuresheoughttotaketoseeher；hefoundhehadnolongeranyreasontoconcealhispassionfromtheViscountdeChartres；heresolvedtospeaktohimofit，andtocommunicatetohimhisdesignwithregardtohisniece。
　　TheViscountwasthenatParis，thetownbeingextremelyfull，andeverybodybusyinpreparingequipagesanddressestoattendtheKingofNavarre，whowastoconducttheQueenofSpain：
　　MonsieurdeNemours，wenttotheViscount，andmadeaningenuousconfessiontohimofallhehadconcealedhitherto，exceptMadamdeCleves’ssentiments，whichhewouldnotseemtoknow。
　　TheViscountreceivedwhathetoldhimwithagreatdealofpleasure，andassuredhim，thatthoughhewasnotacquaintedwithhissentimentsonthatsubject，hehadoftenthought，sinceMadamdeCleveshadbeenawidow，thatshewastheonlyladythatdeservedhim。MonsieurdeNemoursentreatedhimtogivehimanopportunityofspeakingtoher，andlearningwhatdispositionshewasin。
　　TheViscountproposedtocarryhimtoherhouse，buttheDukewasofopinionshewouldbeshockedatit，becauseasyetshesawnobody；sothattheyagreed，itwouldbebetterfortheViscounttoaskhertocometohim，undersomepretence，andfortheDuketocometothembyaprivatestaircase，thathemightnotbeobserved。Accordinglythiswasexecuted；MadamdeClevescame，theViscountwenttoreceiveher，andledherintoagreatclosetattheendofhisapartment；sometimeafterMonsieurdeNemourscamein，asbychance：MadamdeCleveswasingreatsurprisetoseehim；sheblushedandendeavouredtohideit；theViscountatfirstspokeofindifferentmatters，andthenwentout，asifhehadsomeorderstogive，tellingMadamdeCleveshemustdesirehertoentertaintheDukeinhisstead，andthathewouldreturnimmediately。
　　ItisimpossibletoexpressthesentimentsofMonsieurdeNemours，andMadamdeCleves，whentheysawthemselvesalone，andatlibertytospeaktooneanother，astheyhadneverbeenbefore：theycontinuedsilentawhile；atlength，saidMonsieurdeNemours，"Canyou，Madam，pardontheViscountforgivingmeanopportunityofseeingyou，andspeakingtoyou，anopportunitywhichyouhavealwayssocruellydeniedme？""Ioughtnottopardonhim，"repliedshe，"forhavingforgottheconditionIamin，andtowhatheexposesmyreputation。"Havingspokethesewords，shewouldhavegoneaway；butMonsieurdeNemoursstoppingher，"Fearnot，Madam，"saidhe；"youhavenothingtoapprehend；nobodyknowsIamhere；hearme，Madam，hearme，ifnotoutofgoodness，yetatleastforyourownsake，andtofreeyourselffromtheextravagancieswhichapassionIamnolongermasterofwillinfalliblyhurrymeinto。"MadamdeClevesnowfirstyieldedtotheinclinationshehadfortheDukedeNemours，andbeholdinghimwitheyesfullofsoftnessandcharms，"Butwhatcanyouhopefor，"saysshe，"fromthecomplaisanceyoudesireofme？Youwillperhapsrepentthatyouhaveobtainedit，andIshallcertainlyrepentthatIhavegrantedit。Youdeserveahappierfortunethanyouhavehithertohad，orthanyoucanhaveforthefuture，unlessyouseekitelsewhere。""I，Madam，"saidhe，"seekhappinessanywhereelse？Oristhereanyhappinessforme，butinyourlove？ThoughIneverspokeofitbefore，Icannotbelieve，Madam，thatyouarenotacquaintedwithmypassion，orthatyoudonotknowittobethegreatestandmostsincerethateverwas；whattrialshasitsufferedinthingsyouareastrangerto？Whattrialshaveyouputittobyyourrigour？"
　　"SinceyouaredesirousIshouldopenmyselftoyou，"answeredMadamdeCleves，"I’llcomplywithyourdesire，andI’lldoitwithasinceritythatisrarelytobemetwithinpersonsofmysex：IshallnottellyouthatIhavenotobservedyourpassionforme；perhapsyouwouldnotbelievemeifIshouldtellyouso；
　　Iconfessthereforetoyou，notonlythatIhaveobservedit，butthatIhaveobserveditinsuchlightsasyouyourselfcouldwishitmightappeartomein。""Andifyouhaveseenmypassion，Madam，"saidhe，"isitpossibleforyounottohavebeenmovedbyit？AndmayIventuretoask，ifithasmadenoimpressiononyourheart？""Youshouldhavejudgedofthatfrommyconduct，"repliedshe；"butIshouldbegladtoknowwhatyouthoughtofit。""Ioughttobeinahappiercondition，"
　　repliedhe，"toventuretoinformyou；myfortunewouldcontradictwhatIshouldsay；allIcantellyou，Madam，isthatIheartilywishedyouhadnotacknowledgedtoMonsieurdeCleveswhatyouconcealedfromme，andthatyouhadconcealedfromhimwhatyoumadeappeartome。""Howcameyoutodiscover，"
　　repliedsheblushing，"thatIacknowledgedanythingtoMonsieurdeCleves？""Ilearneditfromyourself，Madam，"repliedhe；
　　"butthatyoumaythebetterpardontheboldnessIshowedinlisteningtowhatyousaid，rememberifIhavemadeanilluseofwhatIheard，ifmyhopesroseuponit，orifIwasthemoreencouragedtospeaktoyou。"
　　HerehebegantorelatehowhehadoverheardherconversationwithMonsieurdeCleves；butsheinterruptedhimbeforehehadfinished；"Saynomoreofit，"saidshe，"Iseehowyoucametobesowellinformed；IsuspectedyouknewthebusinessbuttoowellattheQueen-Dauphin’s，wholearnedthisadventurefromthoseyouhadentrustedwithit。"
　　UponthisMonsieurdeNemoursinformedherinwhatmannerthethingcametopass；"Noexcuses，"saysshe；"Ihavelongforgivenyou，withoutbeinginformedhowitwasbroughtabout；
　　butsinceyouhavelearnedfrommyownselfwhatIdesignedtoconcealfromyouallmylife，IwillacknowledgetoyouthatyouhaveinspiredmewithsentimentsIwasunacquaintedwithbeforeI
　　sawyou，andofwhichIhadsoslenderanidea，thattheygavemeatfirstasurprisewhichstilladdedtothepainthatconstantlyattendsthem：Iamthelessashamedtomakeyouthisconfession，becauseIdoitatatimewhenImaydoitwithoutacrime，andbecauseyouhaveseenthatmyconducthasnotbeengovernedbymyaffections。"
　　"Canyoubelieve，Madam，"saidMonsieurdeNemours，fallingonhisknees，"butIshallexpireatyourfeetwithjoyandtransport？""Ihavetoldyounothing，"saidshesmiling，"butwhatyouknewtoowellbefore。""Ah！Madam，"saidhe，"whatadifferenceistherebetweenlearningitbychance，andknowingitfromyourself，andseeingwithalthatyouarepleasedIknowit。""Itistrue，"answeredshe，"Iwouldhaveyouknowit，andIfindapleasureintellingityou；Idon’tevenknowifIdonottellityoumoreformyownsake，thanforyours；for，afterall，thisconfessionwillhavenoconsequences，andIshallfollowtheaustereruleswhichmydutyimposesuponme。""How！Madam；youarenotofthisopinion，"repliedMonsieurdeNemours；"youarenolongerunderanyobligationofduty；youareatliberty；andifIdurst，Ishouldeventellyou，thatitisinyourpowertoactso，thatyourdutyshallonedayobligeyoutopreservethesentimentsyouhaveforme。""Myduty，"repliedshe，"forbidsmetothinkofanyman，butofyouthelastintheworld，andforreasonswhichareunknowntoyou。""Thosereasonsperhapsarenotunknowntome，"answeredhe，"buttheyarefarfrombeinggoodones。IbelievethatMonsieurdeClevesthoughtmehappierthanIwas，andimaginedthatyouapprovedofthoseextravagancieswhichmypassionledmeintowithoutyourapprobation。""Letustalknomoreofthatadventure，"saidshe；"Icannotbearthethoughtofit，itgivingmeshame，andtheconsequencesofithavebeensuchthatitistoomelancholyasubjecttobespokenof；itisbuttootruethatyouwerethecauseofMonsieurdeCleves’sdeath；thesuspicionswhichyourinconsiderateconductgavehim，costhimhislifeasmuchasifyouhadtakenitawaywithyourownhands：
　　judgewhatIoughttohavedone，hadyoutwofoughtaduel，andhebeenkilled；Iknowverywell，itisnotthesamethingintheeyeoftheworld，butwithmethere’snodifference，sinceIknowthathisdeathwasowingtoyou，andthatitwasonmyaccount。"
　　"Ah！Madam，"saidMonsieurdeNemours，"whatphantomofdutydoyouopposetomyhappiness？What！Madam，shallavainandgroundlessfancyhinderyoufrommakingamanhappy，forwhomyouhaveaninclination？What，haveIhadsomegroundtohopeI
　　mightpassmylifewithyou？hasmyfateledmetolovethemostdeservingladyintheworld？haveIobservedinherallthatcanmakeamistressadorable？Hasshehadnodislikingtome？HaveIfoundinherconducteverythingwhichperhapsIcouldwishforinawife？Forinshort，Madam，youareperhapstheonlypersoninwhomthosetwocharactershaveeverconcurredtothedegreetheyareinyou；thosewhomarrymistresses，bywhomtheyareloved，tremblewhentheymarrythem，andcannotbutfearlesttheyshouldobservethesameconducttowardsotherswhichtheyobservedtowardsthem；butinyou，Madam，Icanfearnothing，I
　　seenothinginyoubutmatterofadmiration：haveIhadaprospectofsomuchfelicityfornootherendbuttoseeitobstructedbyyou？Ah！Madam，youforget，thatyouhavedistinguishedmeaboveothermen；orrather，youhavenotdistinguishedme；youhavedeceivedyourself，andIhaveflatteredmyself。"
　　"Youhavenotflatteredyourself，"repliedshe；"thereasonsofmydutywouldnotperhapsappearsostrongtomewithoutthatdistinctionofwhichyoudoubt，anditisthatwhichmakesmeapprehendunfortunateconsequencesfromyouralliance。""I
　　havenothingtoanswer，Madam，"repliedhe，"whenyoutellmeyouapprehendunfortunateconsequences；butIown，thatafterallyouhavebeenpleasedtosaytome，Ididnotexpectfromyousocruelareason。""Thereasonyouspeakof，"repliedMadamdeCleves，"issolittledisobligingastoyou，thatIdon’tknowhowtotellityou。""Alas！Madam，"saidhe，"howcanyoufearIshouldflattermyselftoomuchafterwhatyouhavebeensayingtome？""Ishallcontinuetospeaktoyou，"saysshe，"withthesamesinceritywithwhichIbegun，andI’lllayasidethatdelicacyandreservethatmodestyobligesonetoinafirstconversation，butIconjureyoutohearmewithoutinterruption。
　　"IthinkIowetheaffectionyouhaveforme，thepoorrecompsensenottohidefromyouanyofmythoughts，andtoletyouseethemsuchastheyreallyare；thisinallprobabilitywillbetheonlytimeIshallallowmyselfthefreedomtodiscoverthemtoyou；andIcannotconfesswithoutablush，thatthecertaintyofnotbeinglovedbyyou，asIam，appearstomesodreadfulamisfortune，thatifIhadnotinvinciblereasonsgroundedonmyduty，Icouldnotresolvetosubjectmyselftoit；
　　Iknowthatyouarefree，thatIamsotoo，andthatcircumstancesaresuch，thatthepublicperhapswouldhavenoreasontoblameeitheryouorme，shouldweuniteourselvesforever；butdomencontinuetolove，whenunderengagementsforlife？OughtItoexpectamiracleinmyfavour？AndshallI
　　placemyselfinaconditionofseeingcertainlythatpassioncometoanend，inwhichIshouldplaceallmyfelicity？MonsieurdeCleveswasperhapstheonlymanintheworldcapableofcontinuingtoloveaftermarriage；itwasmyillfatethatIwasnotabletoenjoythathappiness，andperhapshispassionhadnotlastedbutthathefoundnone，inme；butIshouldnothavethe，samewayofpreservingyours；Ieventhinkyourconstancyisowingtotheobstaclesyouhavemetwith；youhavemetwithenoughtoanimateyoutoconquerthem；andmyunguardedactions，orwhatyoulearnedbychance，gaveyouhopesenoughnottobediscouraged。""Ah！Madam，"repliedMonsieurdeNemours，"I
　　cannotkeepthesilenceyouenjoinedme；youdometoomuchinjustice，andmakeitappeartooclearlythatyouarefarfrombeingprepossessedinmyfavour。""Iconfess，"answeredshe，"thatmypassionsmayleadme，buttheycannotblindme；nothingcanhindermefromknowingthatyouarebornwithadispositionforgallantry，andhaveallthequalitiespropertogivesuccess；
　　youhavealreadyhadagreatmanyamours，andyouwillhavemore；
　　Ishouldnolongerbesheyouplacedyourhappinessin；Ishouldseeyouaswarmforanotherasyouhadbeenforme；thiswouldgrievouslyvexme，andIamnotsureIshouldnothavethetormentofjealousy；Ihavesaidtoomuchtoconcealfromyouthatyouhavealreadymademeknowwhatjealousyis，andthatI
　　sufferedsuchcruelinquietudestheeveningtheQueengavemeMadamdeThemines’sletter，whichitwassaidwasaddressedtoyou，thattothismomentIretainanideaofit，whichmakesmebelieveitistheworstofallills。
　　"Thereisscarceawomanbutoutofvanityorinclinationdesirestoengageyou；thereareveryfewwhomyoudonotplease，andmyownexperiencewouldmakemebelieve，thattherearenonewhomitisnotinyourpowertoplease；Ishouldthinkyoualwaysinloveandbeloved，norshouldIbeoftenmistaken；andyetinthiscaseIshouldhavenoremedybutpatience，nayIquestionifIshoulddaretocomplain：alovermaybereproached；butcanahusbandbeso，whenonehasnothingtourge，butthathelovesonenolonger？ButadmitIcouldaccustommyselftobearamisfortuneofthisnature，yethowcouldIbearthatofimaginingIconstantlysawMonsieurdeCleves，accusingyouofhisdeath，reproachingmewithhavinglovedyou，withhavingmarriedyou，andshowingmethedifferencebetwixthisaffectionandyours？
　　Itisimpossibletoover-rulesuchstrongreasonsasthese；I
　　mustcontinueintheconditionIamin，andintheresolutionI
　　havetakennevertoalterit。""Doyoubelieveyouhavethepowertodoit，Madam？"criedtheDukedeNemours。"Doyouthinkyourresolutioncanholdoutagainstamanwhoadores，andwhohasthehappinesstopleaseyou？Itismoredifficultthanyouimagine，Madam，toresistapersonwhopleasesandlovesoneatthesametime；youhavedoneitbyanausterityofvirtue，whichisalmostwithoutexample；butthatvirtuenolongeropposesyourinclinations，andIhopeyouwillfollowtheminspiteofyourself。""IknownothingcanbemoredifficultthanwhatIundertake，"repliedMadamdeCleves；"Idistrustmystrengthinthemidstofmyreasons；whatIthinkIowetothememoryofMonsieurdeCleveswouldbeaweakconsideration，ifnotsupportedbytheinterestofmyeaseandrepose；andthereasonsofmyreposehaveneedtobesupportedbythoseofmyduty；butthoughIdistrustmyself，IbelieveIshallneverovercomemyscruples，nordoIsomuchashopetoovercometheinclinationIhaveforyou；thatinclinationwillmakemeunhappy，andIwilldenymyselfthesightofyou，whateverviolenceitistome：Iconjureyou，byallthepowerIhaveoveryou，toseeknooccasionofseeingme；Iaminaconditionwhichmakesthatcriminalwhichmightbelawfulatanothertime；
　　decencyforbidsallcommercebetweenus。"MonsieurdeNemoursthrewhimselfatherfeet，andgavealoosetoalltheviolentmotionswithwhichhewasagitated；heexpressedbothbyhiswordsandtearstheliveliestandmosttenderpassionthateverheartwastouchedwith；norwastheheartofMadamdeClevesinsensible；shelookeduponhimwitheyesswelledwithtears：
　　"Whywasit，"criesshe，"thatIcanchargeyouwithMonsieurdeCleves’sdeath？WhydidnotmyfirstacquaintancewithyoubeginsinceIhavebeenatliberty，orwhydidnotIknowyoubeforeIwasengaged？Whydoesfateseparateusbysuchinvincibleobstacles？""Therearenoobstacles，Madam，"
　　repliedMonsieurdeNemours；"itisyoualoneopposemyhappiness；youimposeonyourselfalawwhichvirtueandreasondonotrequireyoutoobey。""’Tistrue，"saysshe，"I
　　sacrificeagreatdealtoadutywhichdoesnotsubsistbutinmyimagination；havepatience，andexpectwhattimemayproduce；
　　MonsieurdeClevesisbutjustexpired，andthatmournfulobjectistooneartoleavemeclearanddistinctviews；inthemeantimeenjoythesatisfactiontoknowyouhavegainedtheheartofapersonwhowouldneverhavelovedanyone，hadshenotseenyou：
　　believetheinclinationIhaveforyouwilllastforever，andthatitwillbeuniformandthesame，whateverbecomesofme：
　　Adieu，"saidshe；"thisisaconversationIoughttoblushfor；
　　however，giveanaccountofittotheViscount；Iagreetoit，anddesireyoutodoit。"
　　Withthesewordsshewentaway，norcouldMonsieurdeNemoursdetainher。InthenextroomshemetwiththeViscount，whoseeingherundersomuchconcernwouldnotspeaktoher，butledhertohercoachwithoutsayingaword；hereturnedtoMonsieurdeNemours，whowassofullofjoy，grief，admiration，andofallthoseaffectionsthatattendapassionfullofhopeandfear，thathehadnottheuseofhisreason。ItwasalongtimeeretheViscountcouldgetfromhimanaccountoftheconversation；
　　atlasttheDukerelatedittohim，andMonsieurdeChartres，withoutbeinginlove，nolessadmiredthevirtue，witandmeritofMadamdeCleves，thandidMonsieurdeNemourshimself；theybegantoexaminewhatissuecouldreasonablybehopedforinthisaffair；andhoweverfearfultheDukedeNemourswasfromhislove，heagreedwiththeViscount，thatitwasimpossibleMadamdeClevesshouldcontinueintheresolutionshewasin；theywereofopinionneverthelessthatitwasnecessarytofollowherorders，forfear，uponthepublic’sperceivingtheinclinationhehadforher，sheshouldmakedeclarationsandenterintoengagementswithrespecttotheworld，thatshewouldafterwardsabideby，lestitshouldbethoughtshelovedhiminherhusband’slifetime。
　　MonsieurdeNemoursdeterminedtofollowtheKing；itwasajourneyhecouldnotwellexcusehimselffrom，andsoheresolvedtogowithoutendeavouringtoseeMadamdeClevesagainfromthewindowoutofwhichhehadsometimesseenher；hebeggedtheViscounttospeaktoher；andwhatdidhenotdesirehimtosayinhisbehalf？Whataninfinitenumberofreasonsdidhefurnishhimwith，topersuadehertoconquerherscruples？Inshort，greatpartofthenightwasspentbeforehethoughtofgoingaway。
　　AsforMadamdeCleves，shewasinnoconditiontorest；itwasathingsonewtohertohavebrokeloosefromtherestraintsshehadlaidonherself，tohaveenduredthefirstdeclarationsoflovethateverweremadetoher，andtohaveconfessedthatsheherselfwasinlovewithhimthatmadethem，allthiswassonewtoher，thatsheseemedquiteanotherperson；shewassurprisedatwhatshehaddone；sherepentedofit；shewasgladofit；allherthoughtswerefullofanxietyandpassion；sheexaminedagainthereasonsofherduty，whichobstructedherhappiness；shewasgrievedtofindthemsostrong，andwassorrythatshehadmadethemoutsocleartoMonsieurdeNemours：thoughshehadentertainedthoughtsofmarryinghim，assoonasshebeheldhiminthegardenofthesuburbs，yetherlateconversationwithhimmadeamuchgreaterimpressiononhermind；atsomemomentsshecouldnotcomprehendhowshecouldbeunhappybymarryinghim，andshewasreadytosayinherheart，thatherscruplesastowhatwaspast，andherfearsforthefuture，wereequallygroundless：atothertimes，reasonandherdutyprevailedinherthoughts，andviolentlyhurriedherintoaresolutionnottomarryagain，andnevertoseeMonsieurdeNemours；butthiswasaresolutionhardtobeestablishedinaheartsosoftenedashers，andsolatelyabandonedtothecharmsoflove。Atlast，togiveherselfalittleease，sheconcludedthatitwasnotyetnecessarytodoherselftheviolenceofcomingtoanyresolution，anddecencyallowedheraconsiderabletimetodeterminewhattodo：howeversheresolvedtocontinuefirminhavingnocommercewithMonsieurdeNemours。TheViscountcametoseeher，andpleadedhisfriend’scausewithallthewitandapplicationimaginable，butcouldnotmakeheralterherconduct，orrecallthesevereordersshehadgiventoMonsieurdeNemours；shetoldhimherdesignwasnottochangehercondition；thatsheknewhowdifficultitwastostandtothatdesign，butthatshehopedsheshouldbeabletodoit；shemadehimsosensiblehowfarshewasaffectedwiththeopinionthatMonsieurdeNemourswasthecauseofherhusband’sdeath，andhowmuchshewasconvincedthatitwouldbecontrarytoherdutytomarryhim，thattheViscountwasafraiditwouldbeverydifficulttotakeawaythoseimpressions；
　　hedidnot，however，telltheDukewhathethought，whenhegavehimanaccountofhisconversationwithher，butlefthimasmuchhopeasamanwhoislovedmayreasonablyhave。
　　Theysetoutthenextday，andwentaftertheKing；theViscountwrotetoMadamdeClevesatMonsieurdeNemours’srequest，andinasecondletter，whichsoonfollowedthefirst，theDukewrotealineortwoinhisownhand；butMadamdeClevesdeterminednottodepartfromtherulesshehadprescribedherself，andfearingtheaccidentsthatmighthappenfromletters，informedtheViscountthatshewouldreceivehislettersnomore，ifhecontinuedtospeakofMonsieurdeNemours，anddiditinsoperemptoryamanner，thattheDukedesiredhimnottomentionhim。
　　DuringtheabsenceoftheCourt，whichwasgonetoconducttheQueenofSpainasfarasPoitou，MadamdeClevescontinuedathome；andthemoredistantshewasfromMonsieurdeNemours，andfromeverythingthatcouldputherinmindofhim，themoresherecalledthememoryofthePrinceofCleves，whichshemadeitherglorytopreserve；thereasonsshehadnottomarrytheDukedeNemoursappearedstrongwithrespecttoherduty，butinvinciblewithrespecttoherquiet；theopinionshehad，thatmarriagewouldputanendtohislove，andthetormentsofjealousy，whichshethoughttheinfallibleconsequencesofmarriage，gavehertheprospectofacertainunhappinessifsheconsentedtohisdesires；ontheotherhand，shethoughtitimpossible，ifhewerepresent，torefusethemostamiablemanintheworld，themanwholovedher，andwhomsheloved，andtoopposehiminathingthatwasneitherinconsistentwithvirtuenordecency：shethoughtthatnothingbutabsenceanddistancecouldgiveherthepowertodoit；andshefoundshestoodinneedofthem，notonlytosupportherresolutionnottomarry，buteventokeepherfromseeingMonsieurdeNemours；sheresolvedthereforetotakealongjourney，inordertopassawaythetimewhichdecencyobligedhertospendinretirement；thefineestateshehadnearthePyreneesseemedthemostproperplaceshecouldmakechoiceof；shesetoutafewdaysbeforetheCourtreturned，andwroteatpartingtotheViscounttoconjurehimnottothinkofonceenquiringafterher，orofwritingtoher。
　　MonsieurdeNemourswasasmuchtroubledatthisjourneyasanotherwouldhavebeenforthedeathofhismistress；thethoughtofbeingdeprivedsolongatimeofthesightofMadamdeClevesgrievedhimtothesoul，especiallyasithappenedatatimewhenhehadlatelyenjoyedthepleasureofseeingher，andofseeinghermovedbyhispassion；howeverhecoulddonothingbutafflicthimself，andhisafflictionincreasedeveryday。
　　MadamdeCleves，whosespiritshadbeensomuchagitated，wasnosoonerarrivedathercountryseat，butshefelldesperatelyill；
　　thenewsofitwasbroughttoCourt；MonsieurdeNemourswasinconsolable；hisgriefproceededeventodespairandextravagance；theViscounthadmucha-dotohinderhimfromdiscoveringhispassioninpublic，andasmucha-dotokeephimfromgoinginpersontoknowhowshedid；therelationandfriendshipbetweenherandtheViscountservedasanexcuseforsendingfrequentmessengers；atlasttheyheardshewasoutoftheextremityofdangershehadbeenin，butcontinuedinalanguishingmaladythatleftbutlittlehopesoflife。
　　Thenatureofherdiseasegaveheraprospectofdeathbothnear，andatadistance，andshowedherthethingsofthislifeinaverydifferentviewfromthatinwhichtheyareseenbypeopleinhealth；thenecessityofdying，towhichshesawherselfsonear，taughthertoweanherselffromtheworld，andthelingeringnessofherdistemperbroughthertoahabitinit；yetwhenshewasalittlerecovered，shefoundthatMonsieurdeNemourswasnoteffacedfromherheart；buttodefendherselfagainsthim，shecalledtoheraidallthereasonswhichshethoughtshehadnevertomarryhim；afteralongconflictinherself，shesubduedtherelicsofthatpassionwhichhadbeenweakenedbythesentimentsherillnesshadgivenher；thethoughtsofdeathhadreproachedherwiththememoryofMonsieurdeCleves，andthisremembrancewassoagreeabletoherduty，thatitmadedeepimpressionsinherheart；thepassionsandengagementsoftheworldappearedtoherinthelight，inwhichtheyappeartopersonswhohavemoregreatandmoredistantviews。Theweaknessofherbody，whichwasbroughtverylow，aidedherinpreservingthesesentiments；
　　butassheknewwhatpoweropportunitieshaveoverthewisestresolutions，shewouldnothazardthebreachofthoseshehadtaken，byreturningintoanyplacewhereshemightseehimsheloved；sheretired，underpretenceofchangeofair，intoaconvent，butwithoutdeclaringasettledresolutionofquittingtheCourt。
　　Uponthefirstnewsofit，MonsieurdeNemoursfelttheweightofthisretreat，andsawtheimportanceofit；hepresentlythoughthehadnothingmoretohope，butomittednotanythingthatmightobligehertoreturn；heprevailedwiththeQueentowrite；hemadetheViscountnotonlywrite，butgotoher，butalltonopurpose；theViscountsawher，butshedidnottellhimshehadfixedherresolution；andyethejudged，shewouldneverreturntoCourt；atlastMonsieurdeNemourshimselfwenttoher，underpretenceofusingthewaters；shewasextremelygrievedandsurprisedtohearhewascome，andsenthimwordbyapersonofmeritabouther，thatshedesiredhimnottotakeitillifshedidnotexposeherselftothedangerofseeinghim，andofdestroyingbyhispresencethosesentimentsshewasobligedtopreserve；thatshedesiredheshouldknow，thathavingfounditbothagainstherdutyandpeaceofmindtoyieldtotheinclinationshehadtobehis，allthingselsewerebecomesoindifferenttoher，thatshehadrenouncedthemforever；thatshethoughtonlyofanotherlife，andhadnosentimentremainingastothis，butthedesireofseeinghiminthesamedispositionsshewasin。
　　MonsieurdeNemourswasliketohaveexpiredinthepresenceoftheladywhotoldhimthis；hebeggedherathousandtimestoreturntoMadamdeCleves，andtogetleaveforhimtoseeher；
　　butshetoldhimthePrincesshadnotonlyforbiddenhertocomebackwithanymessagefromhim，buteventoreporttheconversationthatshouldpassbetweenthem。AtlengthMonsieurdeNemourswasobligedtogoback，oppressedwiththeheaviestgriefamaniscapableof，whohaslostallhopesofeverseeingagainaperson，whomhelovednotonlywiththemostviolent，butmostnaturalandsincerepassionthateverwas；yetstillhewasnotutterlydiscouraged，butusedallimaginablemethodstomakeheralterherresolution；atlast，afterseveralyears，timeandabsenceabatedhisgrief，andextinguishedhispassion。
　　MadamdeCleveslivedinamannerthatleftnoprobabilityofhereverreturningtoCourt；shespentonepartoftheyearinthatreligioushouse，andtheotheratherown，butstillcontinuedtheausterityofretirement，andconstantlyemployedherselfinexercisesmoreholythantheseverestconventscanpretendto；
　　andherlife，thoughitwasshort，leftexamplesofinimitablevirtues。