Onhisdeath—bedhebecameaCatholicoutofdeferencetothetearsofhiswife；butashischildrencouldnotinherithisfortythousandpoundsinvestedinEngland，withoutconformingtotheChurchofEngland，thefamilyreturnedtoLondon，wherethewidowcompliedwithalltheobligationsofthelawofEngland。Whatwillpeoplenotdowhentheirinterestsareatstake！thoughinacaselikethisthereisnoneedtoblameapersonforyielding，toprejudiceswhichhadthesanctionofthelaw。
Itwasnowthebeginningoftheyear1758，andfiveyearsbefore，whenIwasatPadua，Ifellinlovewiththeeldestdaughter，butafewmonthsafter，whenwewereatVenice，MadameX。C。V。thoughtgoodtoexcludemefromherfamilycircle。Theinsultwhichthemotherputuponmewassoftenedbythedaughter，whowrotemeacharmingletter，whichIlovetoreadevennow。Imayaswellconfessthatmygriefwastheeasiertobearasmytimewastakenupbymyfairnun，M————M————，andmydearC————C—————。Nevertheless，Mdlle。X。C。V。，thoughonlyfifteen，wasofaperfectbeauty，andwasallthemorecharminginthattoherphysicaladvantagesshejoinedthoseofaculturedmind。
CountAlgarotti，theKingofPrussia’schamberlain，gaveherlessons，andseveralyoungnobleswereamonghersuitors，herpreferenceapparentlybeinggiventotheheirofthefamilyofMemmodeSt。
Marcuola。Hediedayearafterwards，whilehewasprocurator。
Mysurpriseatseeingthisfamilyatsuchatimeandplacemaybeimagined。Mdlle。X。C。V。sawmedirectly，andpointedmeouttohermother，whomadeasigntomewithherfantocometotheirbox。
Shereceivedmeinthefriendliestmannerpossible，tellingmethatwewerenotatVenicenow，andthatshehopedIwouldoftencomeandseethematthe\"HoteldeBretagne，\"intheRueSt。AndredesArts。
ItoldthemthatIdidnotwishtorecallanyeventswhichmighthavehappenedatVenice，andherdaughterhavingjoinedherentreatiestothoseofhermother，Ipromisedtoaccepttheirinvitation。
Mdlle。X。C。V。struckmeasprettierthanever；andmylove，aftersleepingforfiveyears，awoketofreshstrengthandvigour。TheytoldmethattheyweregoingtopasssixmonthsatParisbeforereturningtoVenice。InreturnIinformedthemthatIintendedmakingParismyhome，thatIhadjustleftHolland，thatIwasgoingtoVersaillesthenextday，sothatIcouldnotpaymyrespectstothemtillthedayafter。Ialsobeggedthemtoacceptmyservices，inamannerwhichletthemknowIwasapersonofsomeimportance。
Mdlle。X。C。V。saidthatshewasawarethattheresultsofmyDutchmissionshouldrendermedeartoFrance，thatshehadalwayslivedinhopesofseeingmeoncemore，thatmyfamousflightfromTheLeadshaddelightedthem；\"for，\"sheadded，\"wehavealwaysbeenfondofyou。\"
\"Ifancyyourmotherhaskeptherfondnessformeverymuchtoherself，\"Iwhisperedtoher。
\"Wewon’tsayanythingaboutthat，\"saidsheinthesametone。\"WelearntallthecircumstancesofyourwonderfulflightfromaletterofsixteenpagesyouwrotetoM。Memmo。Wetrembledwithjoyandshudderedwithfearaswereadit。\"
\"HowdidyouknowIhavebeeninHolland？\"
\"M。delaPopelinieretoldusaboutityesterday。\"
M。delaPopeliniere，thefermier—general，whomIhadknownsevenyearsagoatPassi，cameintotheboxjustashisnamewasspoken。
AftercomplimentingmehesaidthatifIcouldcarrythroughthesameoperationfortheIndiaCompanymyfortunewouldbemade。
\"Myadvicetoyouis，\"hesaid，\"togetyourselfnaturalizedbeforeitbecomesgenerallyknownthatyouhavemadehalfamillionofmoney。\"
\"Halfamillion！IonlywishIhad！\"
\"Youmusthavemadethatatthelowestcalculation。\"
\"Onthecontrary，Igiveyoumyassurance，thatifmyclaimforbrokerageisnotallowed，thetransactionwillproveabsolutelyruinoustome。\"
\"Ah！nodoubtyouarerighttotakethattone。Meanwhile，everyonewantstomakeyouracquaintance，forFranceisdeeplyindebtedtoyou。Youhavecausedthefundstorecoverinaverymarkeddegree。\"
AftertheplaywasoverIwenttoSilvia’s，whereIwasreceivedasifIhadbeenthefavouritechildofthefamily；butontheotherhandIgavethemcertainproofsthatIwishedtoberegardedinthatlight。IwasimpressedwiththeideathattotheirunshakenfriendshipIowedallmygoodluck，andImadethefather，mother，thedaughter，andthetwosons，receivethepresentsIhadgotforthem。Thebestwasforthemother，whohandeditontoherdaughter。
Itwasapairofdiamondear—ringsofgreatbeauty，forwhichIhadgivenfifteenthousandfrancs。ThreedaysafterIsentheraboxcontainingfinelinenfromHolland，andchoiceMechlinandAlenconlace。Mario，wholikedsmoking，gotagoldpipe；thefatherachoicegoldandenamelledsnuff—box，andIgavearepeatertotheyoungerson，ofwhomIwasveryfond。Ishallhaveoccasionlaterontospeakofthislad，whosenaturalqualitieswerefarsuperiortohispositioninlife。But，youwillask，wasIrichenoughtomakesuchpresents？No，Iwasnot，andIknewitperfectlywell；butIgavethesepresentsbecauseIwasafraidofnotbeingabletodosoifI
waited。
IsetoutforVersaillesatday—break，andM。deChoiseulreceivedmeasbefore，hishairwasbeingdressed，butforamomenthelaiddownhispen，whichshewedthatIhadbecomeapersonofgreaterimportanceinhiseyes。Afteraslightbutgratefulcompliment，hetoldmethatifIthoughtmyselfcapableofnegotiatingaloanofahundredmillionstobearinterestatfourpercent。，hewoulddoallinhispowertohelpme。MyanswerwasthatIwouldthinkitoverwhenIheardhowmuchIwastohaveforwhatIhaddonealready。
\"Buteverybodysaysthatyouhavemadetwohundredthousandflorinsbyit。\"
\"Thatwouldnotbesobad；halfamillionoffrancswouldbeafairfoundationonwhichtobuildafortune；butIcanassureyourexcellencethatthereisnotawordoftruthinthereport。Idefyanyonetoproveit；andtillsomesubstantialproofisoffered，I
thinkIcanlayclaimtobrokerage。\"
\"True，true。Gotothecomptroller—generalandstateyourviewstohim。\"
M。deBoulognestoppedtheoccupationonwhichhewasengagedtogivemeamostfriendlygreeting，butwhenIsaidthatheowedmeahundredthousandflorinshesmiledsardonically。
\"Ihappentoknow，\"hesaid，\"thatyouhavebillsofexchangetotheamountofahundredthousandcrownspayabletoyourself。\"
\"Certainly，butthatmoneyhasnoconnectionwithmymission，asI
canprovetoyoubyreferringyoutoM。d’Afri。Ihaveinmyheadaninfallibleprojectforincreasingtherevenuebytwentymillions，inamannerwhichwillcausenoirritation。\"
\"Youdon’tsayso！Communicateyourplan，andIpromisetogetyouapensionofahundredthousandfrancs，andlettersofnobilityaswell，ifyouliketobecomeaFrenchman。\"
\"Iwillthinkitover。\"
OnleavingM。deBoulogneIwenttothePalace，whereaballetwasgoingonbeforetheMarquisedePompadour。
Shebowedtomeassoonasshesawme，andonmyapproachinghershetoldmethatIwasanablefinancier，andthatthe\"gentlemenbelow\"
couldnotappreciatemymerits。ShehadnotforgottenwhatIhadsaidtohereightyearsbeforeinthetheatreatFontainebleau。I
repliedthatallgoodgiftswerefromabove，whither，withherhelp，Ihopedtoattain。
OnmyreturntoParisIwenttothe\"HotelBourbon\"toinformmypatronoftheresultofmyjourney。HisadvicetomewastocontinuetoservetheGovernmentwell，asitsgoodfortunewouldcometobemine。OnmytellinghimofmymeetingwiththeX。C。V。’s，hesaidthatM。delaPopelinierewasgoingtomarrytheelderdaughter。
WhenIgottomyhousemysonwasnowheretobefound。Mylandladytoldmethatagreatladyhadcometocallonmylord，andthatshehadtakenhimawaywithher。GuessingthatthiswasMadamed’Urfe，I
wenttobedwithouttroublingmyselfanyfurther。Earlynextmorningmyclerkbroughtmealetter。Itcamefromtheoldattorney，uncletoGaetan’swife，whomIhadhelpedtoescapefromthejealousfuryofherbrutalhusband。Theattorneybeggedmetocomeandspeaktohimatthecourts，ortomakeanappointmentatsomeplacewherehecouldseeme。Iwenttothecourtsandfoundhimthere。
\"Myniece，\"hebegan，\"foundherselfobligedtogointoaconvent；
andfromthisvantagegroundsheispleadingagainstherhusband，withtheaidofabarrister，whowillberesponsibleforthecosts。
However，towinourcase，werequiretheevidenceofyourself，CountTiretta，andotherservantswhowitnessedthesceneattheinn。\"
IdidallIcould，andfourmonthsafterwardsGaetansimplifiedmattersbyafraudulentbankruptcy，whichobligedhimtoleaveFrance:induetimeandplace，Ishallhavesomethingmoretosayabouthim。Asforhiswife，whowasyoungandpretty，shepaidhercounselinlove’smoney，andwasveryhappywithhim，andmaybehappystillforallIknow，butIhaveentirelylostsightofher。
AftermyinterviewwiththeoldattorneyIwenttoMadame————toseeTiretta，whowasout。Madamewasstillinlovewithhim，andhecontinuedtomakeavirtueofnecessity。Ileftmyaddress，andwenttothe\"HoteldeBretagne\"topaymyfirstcallonMadameX。C。V。
Thelady，thoughshewasnotoverfondofme，receivedmewithgreatpoliteness。Ipossiblycutabetterfigureinhereyeswhenrich，andatParis，thenwhenwewereinVenice。Weallknowthatdiamondshavethestrangepoweroffascination，andthattheyformanexcellentsubstituteforvirtue！
MadameX。C。V。hadwithheranoldGreeknamedZandiri，brothertoM。deBragadin’smajor—domo，whowasjustdead。Iutteredsomeexpressionsofsympathy，andtheboordidnottakethetroubletoanswerme，butIwasavengedforhisfoolishstiffnessbytheenthusiasmwithwhichIwaswelcomedbyeveryoneelse。Theeldestgirl，hersisters，andthetwosons，almostoverwhelmedmewithfriendliness。Theeldestsonwasonlyfourteen，andwasayoungfellowofcharmingmanners，butevidentlyextremelyindependent，andsighedforthetimewhenhewouldbeabletodevotehimselftoacareerofprofligacyforwhichhewaswellfitted。Mdlle。X。C。V。
wasbothbeautifulandcharminginhermanner，andhadreceivedanexcellenteducationofwhich，however，shemadenoparade。Onecouldnotstayinherpresencewithoutlovingher，butshewasnoflirt，andIsoonsawthatsheheldoutnovainhopestothosewhohadthemisfortunenottopleaseher。Withoutbeingrudesheknewhowtobecold，anditwasalltheworseforthosewhomhercoldnessdidnotshewthattheirquestwasuseless。
ThefirsthourIpassedinhercompanychainedmeacaptivetohertriumphantcar。Itoldherasmuch，andsherepliedthatshewasgladtohavesuchacaptive。ShetooktheplaceinmyheartwhereEstherhadreignedaweekbefore，butIfreelyconfessthatEstheryieldedonlybecauseshewasaway。AstomyattachmenttoSylvia’sdaughter，itwasofsuchanatureasnottohindermefallinginlovewithanyotherwomanwhochancedtotakemyfancy。Inthelibertine’sheartlovecannotexistwithoutsubstantialfood，andwomenwhohavehadsomeexperienceoftheworldarewellawareofthisfact。TheyouthfulBalettiwasabeginner，andsoknewnothingofthesethings。
M。Farsetti，aVenetianofnoblebirth，aknightofMalta，agreatstudentoftheoccultsciences，andagoodLatinversifier，cameinatoneo’clock。DinnerwasjustreadyandMadameX。C。V。beggedhimtostay。Sheaskedmealsotodinewiththem，butwishingtodinewithMadamed’UrfeIrefusedtheinvitationforthenonce。
M。Farsetti，whohadknownmeverywellatVenice，onlynoticedmebyaside—glance，andwithoutshewinganyvexationIpaidhimbackinthesamecoin。HesmiledatMdlle。X。C。V。’spraiseofmycourage。
Shenoticedhisexpression，andasiftopunishhimforitwentontosaythatIhadnowtheadmirationofeveryVenetian，andthattheFrenchwereanxioustohavethehonourofcallingmeafellow—
citizen。M。Farsettiaskedmeifmypostatthelotterypaidwell。I
replied，coolly，\"Oh，yes，wellenoughformetopaymyclerks’salaries。\"
Heunderstoodthedriftofmyreply，andMdlle。X。C。V。smiled。
IfoundmysupposedsonwithMadamed’Urfe，orratherinthatamiablevisionary’sarms。Shehastenedtoapologizeforcarryinghimoff，andIturneditoffwithajest，havingnoothercoursetotake。
\"Imadehimsleepwithme，\"shesaid，\"butIshallbeobligedtodeprivemyselfofthisprivilegeforthefuture，unlesshepromisestobemorediscreet。\"
Ithoughttheideaagrandone，andthelittlefellow，inspiteofhisblushes，beggedhertosayhowhehadoffended。
\"WeshallhavetheComtedeSt。Germain，\"saidMadamed’Urfe，\"todinner。Iknowheamusesyou，andIlikeyoutoenjoyyourselfinmyhouse。\"
\"Forthat，madam，yourpresenceisallIneed；nevertheless，Ithankyouforconsideringme。\"
InduecourseSt。Germainarrived，andinhisusualmannersathimselfdown，nottoeatbuttotalk。Withafaceofimperturbablegravityhetoldthemostincrediblestories，whichonehadtopretendtobelieve，ashewasalwayseithertheheroofthetaleoraneyewitnessoftheevent。Allthesame，IcouldnothelpburstingintolaughterwhenhetoldusofsomethingthathappenedashewasdiningwiththeFathersoftheCouncilofTrent。
Madamed’Urfeworeonherneckalargemagnet。Shesaidthatitwouldonedayhappenthatthismagnetwouldattractthelightning，andthatshewouldconsequentlysoarintothesun。Ilongedtotellherthatwhen，shegotthereshecouldbenohigherupthanontheearth，butIrestrainedmyself；andthegreatcharlatanhastenedtosaythattherecouldbenodoubtaboutit，andthathe，andheonly，couldincreasetheforceofthemagnetathousandtimes。Isaid，dryly，thatIwouldwagertwentythousandcrownshewouldnotsomuchasdoubleitsforce，butMadamed’Urfewouldnotletusbet，andafterdinnershetoldmeinprivatethatIshouldhavelost，asSt。
Germainwasamagician。OfcourseIagreedwithher。
Afewdayslater，themagiciansetoutforChambord，wherethekinghadgivenhimasuiteofroomsandahundredthousandfrancs，thathemightbeatlibertytoworkonthedyeswhichweretoassurethesuperiorityofFrenchmaterialsoverthoseofanyothercountry。St。
Germainhadgotoverthekingbyarrangingalaboratorywhereheoccasionallytriedtoamusehimself，thoughheknewlittleaboutchemistry，butthekingwasthevictimofanalmostuniversalweariness。Toenjoyaharemrecruitedfromamongstthemostravishingbeauties，andoftenfromtheranksofneophytes，withwhompleasurehaditsdifficulties，onewouldhaveneededtobeagod，andLouisXV。wasonlyamanafterall。
Itwasthefamousmarquisewhohadintroducedtheadepttothekinginthehopeofhisdistractingthemonarch’sweariness，bygivinghimatasteforchemistry。IndeedMadamedePompadourwasundertheimpressionthatSt。Germainhadgivenherthewaterofperpetualyouth，andthereforefeltobligedtomakethechemistagoodreturn。
Thiswondrouswater，takenaccordingtothecharlatan’sdirections，couldnotindeedmakeoldageretireandgivewaytoyouth，butaccordingtothemarquiseitwouldpreserveoneinstatuquoforseveralcenturies。
Asamatteroffact，thewater，orthegiverofit，hadworkedwonders，ifnotonherbody，atleastonhermind；sheassuredthekingthatshewasnotgettingolder。Thekingwasasmuchdeludedbythisgrandimpostorasshewas，foronedayheshewedtheDucdesDeux—Pontsadiamondofthefirstwater，weighingtwelvecarats，whichhefanciedhehadmadehimself。\"Imelteddown，\"saidLouisXV。，\"smalldiamondsweighingtwenty—fourcarats，andobtainedthisonelargeoneweighingtwelve。\"ThusitcametopassthattheinfatuatedmonarchgavetheimpostorthesuiteformerlyoccupiedbyMarshalSaxe。TheDucdesDeux—Pontstoldmethisstorywithhisownlips，oneevening，whenIwassuppingwithhimandaSwede，theComtedeLevenhoop，atMetz。
BeforeIleftMadamed’Urfe，Itoldherthattheladmightbehewhoshouldmakehertobebornagain，butthatshewouldspoilallifshedidnotwaitforhimtoattaintheageofpuberty。Afterwhatshehadsaidabouthismisbehavior，thereaderwillguesswhatmademesaythis。ShesenthimtoboardwithViar，gavehimmastersoneverything，anddisguisedhimunderthenameoftheComted’Aranda，althoughhewasbornatBayreuth，andthoughhismotherneverhadanythingtodowithaSpaniardofthatname。ItwasthreeorfourmonthsbeforeIwenttoseehim，asIwasafraidofbeinginsultedonaccountofthenamewhichthevisionaryMadamed’Urfehadgivenhim。
OnedayTirettacametoseemeinafinecoach。Hetoldmethathiselderlymistresswantedtobecomehiswife，butthathewouldnothearofit，thoughsheofferedtoendowhimwithallherworldlygoods。Itoldhimthatifhegaveinhemightpayhisdebts，returntoTrevisa，andlivepleasantlythere；buthisdestinywouldnotallowhimtotakemyadvice。
Ihadresolvedontakingacountryhouse，andfixedononecalled\"LittlePoland，\"whichpleasedmebetterthanalltheothersIhadseen。Itwaswellfurnished，andwasahundredpacesdistantfromtheMadeleineGate。Itwassituatedonslightlyelevatedgroundneartheroyalpark，behindtheDucdeGrammont’sgarden，anditsownerhadgivenitthenameof\"PleasantWarsaw。\"Ithadtwogardens，oneofwhichwasonalevelwiththefirstfloor，threereceptionrooms，largestables，coachhouses，baths，agoodcellar，andasplendidkitchen。Themasterwascalled\"TheButterKing，\"andalwayswrotehimselfdownso；thenamehadbeengiventohimbyLouisXV。onthemonarch’sstoppingatthehouseandlikingthebutter。The\"ButterKing\"letmehishouseforahundredLouisperannum，andhegavemeanexcellentcookcalled\"ThePearl，\"atrueblue—ribbonoftheorderofcooks，andtoherhegavechargeofallhisfurnitureandtheplateIshouldwantforadinnerofsixpersons，engagingtogetmeasmuchplateasIwantedatthehireofasousanounce。HealsopromisedtoletmehavewhatwineIwanted，andsaidallhehadwasofthebest，and，moreover，cheaperthanIcouldgetitatParis，ashehadnogate—moneytopayonit。
Mattershavingbeenarrangedontheseterms，inthecourseofaweekIgotagoodcoachman，twofinecarriages，fivehorses，agroom，andtwofootmen。Madamed’Urfe，whowasmyfirstguest，wasdelightedwithmynewabode，andassheimaginedthatIhaddoneitallforher，Ileftherinthatflatteringopinion。Inevercouldbelieveinthemoralityofsnatchingfrompoormortalmanthedelusionswhichmakethemhappy。Ialsoletherretainthenotionthatyoungd’Aranda，thecountofherownmaking，wasascionofthenobility，thathewasbornforamysteriousoperationunknowntotherestofmankind，thatIwasonlyhiscaretaker（hereIspokethetruth），andthathemustdieandyetnotceasetolive。Allthesewhimsicalideasweretheproductsofherbrain，whichwasonlyoccupiedwiththeimpossible，andIthoughtthebestthingIcoulddowastoagreewitheverything。IfIhadtriedtoundeceiveher，shewouldhaveaccusedmeofwantoftrustinher，forshewasconvincedthatallherknowledgewasrevealedtoherbyhergenius，whospoketoheronlybynight。AftershehaddinedwithmeItookherbacktoherhouse，fullofhappiness。
Camillesentmealotteryticket，whichshehadinvestedinatmyoffice，andwhichprovedtobeawinningone，Ithink，forathousandcrownsorthereabouts。Sheaskedmetocomeandsupwithher，andbringthemoneywithme。Iacceptedherinvitation，andfoundhersurroundedbyallthegirlssheknewandtheirlovers。AftersupperIwasaskedtogototheoperawiththem，butwehadscarcelygottherewhenIlostmypartyinthecrowd。Ihadnomaskon，andI
soonfoundmyselfattackedbyablackdomino，whomIknewtobeawoman，andasshetoldmeahundredtruthsaboutmyselfinafalsettovoice，Iwasinterested，anddeterminedonfindingoutwhoshewas。
AtlastIsucceededinpersuadinghertocomewithmeintoabox，andassoonaswewereinandIhadtakenoffhermaskIwasastonishedtofindshewasMdlle。X。C。V。
\"Ihavecometotheball，\"saidshe，\"withoneofmysisters，myelderbrother，andM。Farsetti。Ileftthemtogointoaboxandchangemydomino:
\"Theymustfeelveryuneasy。\"
\"Idaresaytheydo，butIamnotgoingtotakepityonthemtilltheendoftheball。\"
Findingmyselfalonewithher，andcertainofhavingherinmycompanyfortherestofthenight，Ibegantotalkofouroldlove—
making；andItookcaretosaythatIwasmoreinlovewithherthanever。Shelistenedtomekindly，didnotopposemyembraces，andbythefewobstaclessheplacedinmywayIjudgedthatthehappymomentwasnotfaroff。NeverthelessIfeltthatImustpracticerestraintthatevening，andsheletmeseethatshewasobligedtome。
\"IheardatVersailles，mydearmademoiselle，thatyouaregoingtomarryM。delaPopeliniere。\"
\"Sotheysay。Mymotherwishesmetodoso，andtheoldfinancierfancieshehasgotmeinhistalonsalready；buthemakesamistake，asIwillneverconsenttosuchathing。\"
\"Heisold，butheisveryrich。\"
\"Heisveryrichandverygenerous，forhepromisesmeadowryofamillionifIbecomeawidowwithoutchildren；andifIhadasonhewouldleavemeallhisproperty。\"
\"Youwouldn’thavemuchdifficultyincomplyingwiththesecondalternative。\"
\"Ishallneverhaveanythingtodowithhismoney，forIshouldnevermakemylifemiserablebyamarriagewithamanwhomIdonotlove，whileIdoloveanother。\"
\"Another！Whoisthefortunatemortaltowhomyouhavegivenyourheart’streasure？\"
\"Idonotknowifmylovedoneisfortunate。MyloverisaVenetian，andmymotherknowsofit；butshesaysthatIshouldnotbehappy，thatheisnotworthyofme。\"
\"Yourmotherisastrangewoman，alwayscrossingyouraffections。\"
\"Icannotbeangrywithher。Shemaypossiblybewrong，butshecertainlylovesme。ShewouldratherthatIshouldmarryM。
Farsetti，whowouldbeverygladtohaveme，butIdetesthim。\"
\"Hashemadeadeclarationinterms？\"
\"Hehas，andallthemarksofcontemptIhavegivenhimseemtohavenoeffect。\"
\"Heclingshardtohope；butthetruthisyouhavefascinatedhim。\"
\"Possibly，butIdonotthinkhimsusceptibleofanytenderorgenerousfeeling。Heisavisionary；surly，jealous，andenviousinhisdisposition。Whenheheardmeexpressingmyselfaboutyouinthemanneryoudeserve，hehadtheimpudencetosaytomymotherbeforemyfacethatsheoughtnottoreceiveyou。\"
\"HedeservesthatIshouldgivehimalessoninmanners，butthereareotherwaysinwhichhemaybepunished。IshallbedelightedtoserveyouinanywayIcan。\"
\"Alas！ifIcouldonlycountonyourfriendshipIshouldbehappy。\"
Thesighwithwhichsheutteredthesewordssentfirethroughmyveins，andItoldherthatIwasherdevotedslave；thatIhadfiftythousandcrownswhichwereatherservice，andthatIwouldriskmylifetowinherfavours。Sherepliedthatshewastrulygratefultome，andasshethrewherarmsaboutmyneckourlipsmet，butIsawthatshewasweeping，soItookcarethatthefirewhichherkissesraisedshouldbekeptwithinbounds。Shebeggedmetocomeandseeheroften，promisingthatasoftenasshecouldmanageitweshouldbealone。Icouldasknomore，andafterIhadpromisedtocomeanddinewiththemonthemorrow，weparted。
Ipassedanhourinwalkingbehindher，enjoyingmynewpositionofintimatefriend，andIthenreturnedtomyLittlePoland。Itwasashortdistance，forthoughIlivedinthecountryIcouldgettoanypartofParisinaquarterofanhour。Ihadaclevercoachman，andcapitalhorsesnotusedtobeingspared。Igotthemfromtheroyalstables，andassoonasIlostoneIgotanotherfromthesameplace，havingtopaytwohundredfrancs。Thishappenedtomeseveraltimes，for，tomymind，goingfastisoneofthegreatestpleasureswhichParisoffers。
HavingacceptedaninvitationtodinnerattheX。C。V。’s，Ididnotgivemyselfmuchtimeforsleep，andIwentoutonfootwithacloakon。Thesnowwasfallinginlargeflakes，andwhenIgottomadame’sIwasaswhiteasasheetfromheadtofoot。Shegavemeaheartywelcome，laughing，andsayingthatherdaughterhadbeentellingherhowshehadpuzzledme，andthatshewasdelightedtoseemecometodinnerwithoutceremony。\"But，\"addedshe，\"it’sFridaytoday，andyouwillhavetofast，though，afterall，thefishisverygood。
Dinnerisnotreadyyet。Youhadbettergoandseemydaughter，whoisstilla—bed。\"
Asmaybeimagined，thisinvitationhadnottoberepeated，foraprettywomanlooksbetterinbedthananywhereelse。IfoundMdlle。
X。C。V。sittingupinbedwriting，butshestoppedassoonasshesawme。
\"Howisthis，sweetlie—a—bed，notupyet？\"
\"Yes，IamstayinginbedpartlybecauseIfeellazy，andpartlybecauseIamfreerhere。\"
\"Iwasafraidyouwerenotquitewell。\"
\"NoramI。However，wewillsaynomoreaboutthatnow。Iamjustgoingtotakesomesoup，asthosewhofoolishlyestablishtheinstitutionoffastingwerenotpoliteenoughtoaskmyopiniononthesubject。Itdoesnotagreewithmyhealth，andIdon’tlikeit，soIamnotgoingtogetupeventositattable，thoughIshallthusdeprivemyselfofyoursociety。\"
Inaturallytoldherthatinherabsencedinnerwouldhavenosavour；
andIspokethetruth。
Asthepresenceofhersisterdidnotdisturbus，shetookoutofherpocket—bookanepistleinversewhichIhadaddressedtoherwhenhermotherhadforbiddenmethehouse。\"Thisfatalletter，\"saidshe，\"whichyoucalled’ThePhoenix，’hasshapedmylifeandmayprovethecauseofmydeath。\"
IhadcalleditthePhoenixbecause，afterbewailingmyunhappylot，IproceededtopredicthowshewouldafterwardsgiveherhearttoamortalwhosequalitieswouldmakehimdeservethenameofPhoenix。A
hundredlinesweretakenupinthedescriptionoftheseimaginarymentalandmoralcharacteristics，andcertainlythebeingwhoshouldhavethemallwouldberightworthyofworship，forhewouldberatheragodthanaman。
\"Alas！\"saidMdlle。X。C。V。，\"Ifellinlovewiththisimaginarybeing，andfeelingcertainthatsuchanonemustexistIsetmyselftolookforhim。AftersixmonthsIthoughtIhadfoundhim。Igavehimmyheart，Ireceivedhis，welovedeachotherfondly。Butforthelastfourmonthswehavebeenseparated，andduringthewholetimeIhaveonlyhadoneletterfromhim。YetImustnotblamehim，forIknowhecannothelpit。Such，ismysorryfate:Icanneitherhearfromhimnorwritetohim:\"
Thisstorywasaconfirmationofatheoryofminenamely，thatthemostimportanteventsinourlivesproceedoftenfromthemosttriflingcauses。Myepistlewasnothingbetterthananumberoflinesofpoetrymoreorlesswellwritten，andthebeingIhaddelineatedwascertainlynottobefound，ashesurpassedbyfarallhumanperfections，butawoman’shearttravelssoquicklyandsofar！
Mdlle。X。C。V。tookthethingliterally，andfellinlovewithachimeraofgoodness，andthenwasfaintoturnthisintoareallover，notthinkingofthevastdifferencebetweentheidealandthereal。Forallthat，whenshethoughtthatshehadfoundtheoriginalofmyfancyportrait，shehadnodifficultyinendowinghimwithallthegoodqualitiesIhadpictured。OfcourseMdlle。X。C。V。wouldhavefalleninloveifIhadneverwrittenheraletterinverse，butshewouldhavedonesoinadifferentmanner，andprobablywithdifferentresults。
AssoonasdinnerwasservedweweresummonedtodojusticetothechoicefishwhichM。delaPopelinierehadprovided。MadameX。C。V。
anarrowmindedGreek，wasnaturallybigotedandsuperstitious。Inthemindofasillywomantheideaofanalliancebetweenthemostoppositeofbeings，GodandtheDevil，seemsquitenatural。Apriesthadtoldherthat，sinceshehadconvertedherhusband，hersalvationwassecure，fortheScripturessolemnlypromisedasoulforasoultoeveryonewhowouldleadahereticoraheathenwithinthefoldofthechurch。AndasMadameX。C。V。hadconvertedherhusband，shefeltnoanxietyaboutthelifeoftheworldtocome，asshehaddoneallthatwasnecessary。However，sheatefishonthedaysappointed；
thereasonbeingthatshepreferredittoflesh。
Dinnerover，Ireturnedtothelady’sbedside，andtherestayedtillnearlynineo’clock，keepingmypassionswellundercontrolallthetime。Iwasfoppishenoughtothinkthatherfeelingswereaslivelyasmine，andIdidnotcaretoshewmyselflessself—restrainedthanshe，thoughIknewthen，asIknownow，thatthiswasafalselineofargument。Itisthesamewithopportunityaswithfortune；onemustseizethemwhentheycometous，orelsetheygoby，oftentoreturnnomore。
NotseeingFarsettiatthetable，Isuspectedtherehadbeenaquarrel，andIaskedmysweetheartaboutit；butshetoldmeIwasmistakeninsupposingtheyhadquarreledwithhim，andthatthereasonofhisabsencewasthathewouldneverleavehishouseonaFriday。Thedeludedmanhadhadhishoroscopedrawn，andlearningbyitthathewouldbeassassinatedonaFridayheresolvedalwaystoshuthimselfuponthatday。Hewaslaughedat，butpersistedinthesamecoursetillhediedfouryearsagoattheageofseventy。Hethoughttoprovebythesuccessofhisprecautionsthataman’sdestinydependsonhisdiscretion，andontheprecautionshetakestoavoidthemisfortunesofwhichhehashadwarning。Thelineofargumentholdsgoodinallcasesexceptwhenthemisfortunesarepredictedinahoroscope；foreithertheillspredictedareavoidable，inwhichcasethehoroscopeisauselesspieceoffolly，orelsethehoroscopeistheinterpreterofdestiny，inwhichcasealltheprecautionsintheworldareofnoavail。TheChevalierFarsettiwasthereforeafooltoimaginehehadprovedanythingatall。HewouldhaveprovedagooddealformanypeopleifhehadgoneoutonaFriday，andhadchancedtohavebeenassassinated。PicasdelaMirandola，whobelievedinastrology，says，\"Ihavenodoubttruly，’Astrainfluunt，noncogunt’。\"Butwouldithavebeenarealproofofthetruthofastrology，ifFarsettihadbeenassassinatedonaFriday？Inmyopinion，certainlynot。
TheComted’Eigrevillehadintroducedmetohissister，theComtesseduRemain，whohadbeenwantingtomakemyacquaintanceeversinceshehadheardofmyoracle。ItwasnotlongbeforeImadefriendswithherhusbandandhertwodaughters，theelderofwhom，nicknamed\"Cotenfau，\"marriedM。dePolignaclateron。MadameduRemainwashandsomeratherthanpretty，butshewontheloveofallbyherkindness，herfrankcourtesy，andhereagernesstobeofservicetoherfriends。Shehadamagnificentfigure，andwouldhaveawedthewholebenchofjudgesifshehadpleadedbeforethem。
AtherhouseIgottoknowMesdamesdeValbelleanddeRancerolles，thePrincessdeChimai，andmanyotherswhoweretheninthebestsocietyofParis。AlthoughMadameduRemainwasnotaproficientintheoccultsciences，shehadneverthelessconsultedmyoraclemorefrequentlythanMadamed’Urfe。ShewasoftheutmostservicetomeinconnectionwithanunhappycircumstanceofwhichIshallspeakpresently。
ThedayaftermylongconversationwithMdlle。X。C。V。，myservanttoldmethattherewasayoungmanwaitingwhowantedtogivemealetterwithhisownhands。Ihadhimin，andonmyaskinghimfromwhomthelettercame，herepliedthatIshouldfindallparticularsintheletter，andthathehadorderstowaitforananswer。Theepistleranasfollows:
\"Iamwritingthisattwoo’clockinthemorning。Iamwearyandinneedofrest，butaburdenonmysouldeprivesmeofsleep。ThesecretIamabouttotellyouwillnolongerbesogrievouswhenI
haveconfidedinyou；Ishallfeeleasedbyplacingitinyourbreast。Iamwithchild，andmysituationdrivesmetodespair。I
wasobligedtowritetoyoubecauseIfeltIcouldnotsayit。Givemeawordinreply。\"
Myfeelingsonreadingtheabovemaybeguessed。Iwaspetrifiedwithastonishmentandcouldonlywrite，\"Iwillbewithyouateleveno’clock。\"
Nooneshouldsaythathehaspassedthroughgreatmisfortunesunlesstheyhaveprovedtoogreatforhismindtobear。TheconfidenceofMdlle。X。C。V。shewedmethatshewasinneedofsupport。I
congratulatedmyselfonhavingthepreference，andIvowedtodomybestforherdiditcostmemylife。Thesewerethethoughtsofalover，butforallthatIcouldnotconcealfrommyselftheimprudenceofthestepshehadtaken。Insuchcasesasthesethereisalwaysthechoicebetweenspeakingorwriting，andtheonlyfeelingwhichcangivethepreferencetowritingisfalseshame，atbottommerecowardice。IfIhadnotbeeninlovewithher，Ishouldhavefounditeasiertohaverefusedmyaidinwritingthanifshehadspokentome，butIlovedhertodistraction。
\"Yes，\"saidItomyself，\"shecancountonme。Hermishapmakesherallthedearertome。\"
Andbelowthistherewasanothervoice，avoicewhichwhisperedtomethatifIsucceededinsavinghermyrewardwassure。Iamwellawarethatmorethanonegravemoralistwillflingstonesatmeforthisavowal，butmyansweristhatsuchmencannotbeinloveasI
was。
Iwaspunctualtomyappointment，andfoundthefairunfortunateatthedoorofthehotel。
\"Youaregoingout，areyou？Whereareyougoing？\"
\"IamgoingtomassattheChurchoftheAugustinians。\"
\"Isthisasaint’sday？\"
\"No；butmymothermakesmegoeveryday。\"
\"Iwillcomewithyou。\"
\"Yesdo，givemeyourarm；wewillgointothecloistersandtalkthere。\"
Mdlle。X。C。V。wasaccompaniedbyhermaid，butsheknewbetterthantobeintheway，soweleftherinthecloisters。Assoonaswewerealoneshesaidtome，\"Haveyoureadmyletter？\"
\"Yes，ofcourse；hereitis，burnityourself。\"
\"No，keepit，anddosowithyourownhands。\"
\"Iseeyoutrustinme，andIassureyouIwillnotabuseyourtrust。\"
\"Iamsureyouwillnot。Iamfourmonthswithchild；Icandoubtitnolonger，andthethoughtmaddensme！\"
\"Comfortyourself，wewillfindsomewaytogetoverit。\"
\"Yes；Ileavealltoyou。Youmustprocureanabortion。\"
\"Never，dearest！thatisacrime！\"
\"Alas！Iknowthatwell；butitisnotagreatercrimethansuicide，andthereliesmychoice:eithertodestroythewretchedwitnessofmyshame，ortopoisonmyself。ForthelatteralternativeIhaveeverythingready。Youaremyonlyfriend，anditisforyoutodecidewhichitshallbe。Speaktome！AreyouangrythatIhavenotgonetotheChevalierFarsettibeforeyou？\"
Shesawmyastonishment，andstoppedshort，andtriedtowipeawaythetearswhichescapedfromhereyes。Myheartbledforher。
\"Layingthequestionofcrimeononeside，\"saidI，\"abortionisoutofourpower。Ifthemeansemployedarenotviolenttheyareuncertain，andiftheyareviolenttheyaredangeroustothemother。
Iwillneverriskbecomingyourexecutioner；butreckononme，Iwillnotforsakeyou。Yourhonourisasdeartomeasyourlife。Becalm，andhenceforththinkthattheperilismine，notyours。MakeupyourmindthatIshallfindsomewayofescape，andthattherewillbenoneedtocutshortthatlife，topreservewhichIwouldgladlydie。
AndallowmetosaythatwhenIreadyournoteIfeltglad，Icouldnothelpit，thatatsuchanemergencyyouchosemebeforeallotherstobeyourhelper。Youwillfindthatyourtrustwasnotgiveninvain，fornoonelovesyouaswellasI，andnooneissofaintohelpyou。LateryoushallbegintotaketheremediesIwillgetforyou，butIwarnyoutobeonyourguard，forthisisaseriousmatter——oneoflifeanddeath。Possiblyyouhavealreadytoldsomebodyaboutit——yourmaidoroneofyoursisters？\"
\"Ihavenottoldanybodybutyou，noteventheauthorofmyshame。
ItremblewhenIthinkwhatmymotherwoulddoandsayifshefoundoutmysituation。Iamafraidshewilldrawherconclusionsfrommyshape。\"
\"Sofarthereisnothingtobeobservedinthatdirection，thebeautyoftheoutlinestillremainsintact。\"
\"Buteverydayincreasesitssize，andforthatreasonwemustbequickinwhatwedo。Youmustfindasurgeonwhodoesnotknowmynameandtakemetohimtobebled。\"
\"Iwillnotruntherisk，itmightleadtothediscoveryofthewholeaffair。Iwillbleedyoumyself；itisasimpleoperation。\"
\"HowgratefulIamtoyou！Ifeelasifyouhadalreadybroughtmefromdeathtolife。WhatIshouldlikeyoutodowouldbetotakemetoamidwife’s。Wecaneasilygowithoutattractinganynoticeatthefirstballattheopera。\"
\"Yes，sweetheart，butthatstepisnotnecessary，anditmightleadtoourbetrayal。\"
\"No，no，inthisgreattowntherearemidwivesineveryquarter，andweshouldneverbeknown；wemightkeepourmasksonallthetime。
Domethiskindness。Amidwife’sopinioniscertainlyworthhaving。\"
Icouldnotrefuseherrequest，butImadeheragreetowaittillthelastball，asthecrowdwasalwaysgreater，andwehadabetterchanceofgoingoutfreefromobservation。IpromisedtobethereinablackdominowithawhitemaskintheVenetianfashion，andarosepaintedbesidethelefteye。Assoonasshesawmegooutshewastofollowmeintoacarriage。Allthiswascarriedout，butmoreofitanon。
Ireturnedwithher，anddinedwiththemwithouttakinganynoticeofFarsetti，whowasalsoatthetable，andhadseenmecomebackfrommasswithher。Wedidnotspeakawordtooneanother；hedidnotlikemeandIdespisedhim。
ImusthererelateagrievousmistakeofwhichIwasguilty，andwhichIhavenotyetforgivenmyself。
IhadpromisedtotakeMdlle。X。C。V。toamidwife，butIcertainlyoughttohavetakenhertoarespectablewoman’s，forallwewantedtoknowwashowapregnantwomanshouldregulateherdietandmannerofliving。ButmyevilgeniustookmebytheRueSt。Louis，andthereIsawtheMontignienteringherhousewithaprettygirlwhomI
didnotknow，andsooutofcuriosityIwentinafterthem。Afteramusingmyselfthere，withMdlle。X。C。V。runninginmyheadallthetime，Iaskedthewomantogivemetheaddressofamidwife，asI
wantedtoconsultone。ShetoldmeofahouseintheMarais，whereaccordingtoherdweltthepearlofmidwives，andbegantellingmesomestoriesofherexploits，whichallwenttoprovethatthewomanwasaninfamouscharacter。Itookheraddress，however，andasI
shouldhavetogotherebynight，Iwentthenextdaytoseewherethehousewas。
Mdlle。X。C。V。begantotaketheremedieswhichIbroughther，whichoughttohaveweakenedanddestroyedtheresultoflove，butasshedidnotexperienceanybenefit，shewasimpatienttoconsultamidwife。Onthenightofthelastballsherecognizedmeaswehadagreed，andfollowedmeoutintothecoachshesawmeenter，andinlessthanaquarterofanhourwereachedthehouseofshame。
Awomanofaboutfiftyreceiveduswithgreatpoliteness，andaskedwhatshecoulddo。
Mdlle。X。C。V。toldherthatshebelievedherselfpregnant，andthatshedesiredsomemeansofconcealinghermisfortune。Thewretchansweredwithasmilethatshemightaswelltellherplainlythatitwouldbeeasytoprocureabortion。\"Iwilldoyourbusiness，\"saidshe，\"forfiftyLouis，halftobepaidinadvanceonaccountofdrugs，andtherestwhenit’sallover。Iwilltrustinyourhonesty，andyouwillhavetotrustinmine。Givemethetwenty—fiveLouisdown，andcomeorsendto—morrowforthedrugs，andinstructionsforusingthem。\"
Sosayingsheturnedupherclotheswithoutanyceremony，andasI，atMdlle。X。C。V。’srequest，lookedaway，shefeltherandpronounced，assheletdownherdress，thatshewasnotbeyondthefourthmonth。
\"Ifmydrugs，\"saidshe，\"contrarytomyexpectation，donotdoanygood，wewilltrysomeotherways，and，inanycase，ifIdonotsucceedinobligingyouIwillreturnyouyourmoney。\"
\"Idon’tdoubtitforamoment，\"saidI，\"butwouldyoutellmewhatarethoseotherways！\"
\"Ishouldtelltheladyhowtodestroythefoetus。\"
Imighthavetoldherthattokillthechildmeantgivingamortalwoundtothemother，butIdidnotfeelinclinedtoenterintoaargumentwiththisvilecreature。
\"Ifmadamedecidesontakingyouradvice，\"saidI，\"Iwillbringyouthemoneyfordrugsto—morrow。\"
IgavehertwoLouisandleft。Mdlle。X。C。V。toldmethatshehadnodoubtoftheinfamyofthiswoman，asshewassureitwasimpossibletodestroytheoffspringwithouttheriskofkillingthemotheralso。\"Myonlytrust，\"saidshe，\"isinyou。\"Iencouragedherinthisidea，dissuadingherfromanycriminalattempts，andassuredheroverandoveragainthatsheshouldnotfindhertrustinmemisplaced。Allatonceshecomplainedoffeelingcold，andaskedifwehadnottimetowarmourselvesinLittlePoland，sayingthatshelongedtoseemyprettyhouse。Iwassurprisedanddelightedwiththeidea。Thenightwastoodarkforhertoseetheexteriorcharmsofmyabode，shewouldhavetosatisfyherselfwiththeinside，andleavetheresttoherimagination。Ithoughtmyhourhadcome。Imadethecoachstopandwegotdownandwalkedsomeway，andthentookanotheratthecorneroftheRuedelaFerannerie。I
promisedthecoachmansixfrancsbeyondhisfare，andinaquarterofanhourheputusdownatmydoor。
Irangwiththetouchofthemaster，thePearlopenedthedoor，andtoldmethattherewasnobodywithin，asIverywellknew，butitwasherhabittodoso。
\"Quick！\"saidI，\"lightusafire，andbringsomeglassesandabottleofchampagne。\"
\"Wouldyoulikeanomelette？\"
\"Verywell。\"
\"Oh，Ishouldlikeanomelettesomuch！\"saidMdlle。X。C。V。Shewasravishing，andherlaughingairseemedtopromisemeamomentofbliss。Isatdownbeforetheblazingfireandmadehersitonmyknee，coveringherwithkisseswhichshegavemebackaslovingly。I
hadalmostwonwhatIwantedwhensheaskedmeinasweetvoicetostop。Iobeyed，thinkingitwouldpleaseher，feelingsurethatsheonlydelayedmyvictorytomakeitmorecomplete，andthatshewouldsurrenderafterthechampagne。Isawlove，kindness，trust，andgratitudeshininginherface，andIshouldhavebeensorryforhertothinkthatIclaimedherasamerereward。No，Iwantedherlove，andnothingbutherlove。
Atlastwegottoourlastglassofchampagne，werosefromthetable，andsentimentallybutwithgentleforceIlaidheronacouchandheldheramorouslyinmyarms。Butinsteadofgivingherselfuptomyembracessheresistedthem，atfirstbythoseprayerswhichusuallymakeloversmoreenterprising，thenbyseriousremonstrances，andatlastbyforce。Thiswastoomuch，themereideaofusingviolencehasalwaysshockedme，andIamstillofopinionthattheonlypleasureintheamorousembracespringsfromperfectunionandagreement。Ipleadedmycauseineveryway，Ipaintedmyselfastheloverflattered，deceived，despised！AtlastItoldherthatIhadhadacruelawakening，andIsawthattheshaftwenthome。Ifellonmykneesandbeggedhertoforgiveme。\"Alas！\"saidshe，inavoicefullofsadness，\"Iamnolongermistressofmyheart，andhavefargreatercauseforgriefthanyou。\"Thetearsflowedfastdownhercheeks，herheadrestedonmyshoulder，andourlipsmet；butforallthatthepiecewasover。Theideaofrenewingtheattacknevercameintomyhead，andifithadIshouldhavescornfullyrejectedit。
Afteralongsilence，ofwhichwebothstoodinneed，shetoconquerhershame，andItorepressmyanger，weputonourmasksandreturnedtotheopera。Onourwayshedaredtotellmethatsheshouldbeobligedtodeclinemyfriendshipifshehadtopayforitsodearly。
\"Theemotionsoflove，\"Ireplied，\"shouldyieldtothoseofhonour，andyourhonouraswellasminerequireustocontinuefriends。WhatIwouldhavedoneforloveIwillnowdofordevotedfriendship，andforthefutureIwilldieratherthanmakeanotherattempttogainthosefavoursofwhichIthoughtyoudeemedmeworthy。\"
Weseparatedattheopera，andthevastcrowdmademelosesightofherinaninstant。Nextdayshetoldmethatshehaddancedallnight。Shepossiblyhopedtofindinthatexercisethecurewhichnomedicineseemedlikelytogiveher。
Ireturnedtomyhouseinabadhumour，tryinginvaintojustifyarefusalwhichseemedhumiliatingandalmostincredible。Mygoodsenseshewedme，inspiteofallsophisms，thatIhadbeengrievouslyinsulted。IrecollectedthewittysayingofPopulia，whowasneverunfaithfultoherhusbandexceptwhenshewaswithchild；\"Nontollovectorem，\"saidshe，\"nisinaviplena。\"
IfeltcertainthatIwasnotloved，andthethoughtgrievedme；andIconsideredthatitwouldbeunworthyofmetoloveonewhomIcouldnolongerhopetopossess。Iresolvedtoavengemyselfbyleavinghertoherfate，feelingthatIcouldnotallowmyselftobedupedasIhadbeen。
Thenightbroughtwisdomwithit，andwhenIawokeinthemorningmymindwascalmandIwasstillinlove。Ideterminedtoactgenerouslybytheunfortunategirl。Withoutmyaidshewouldberuined；mycourse，then，wouldbetocontinuemyservicesandtoshewmyselfindifferenttoherfavours。Thepartwasnoeasyone，butI
playeditrightwell，andatlastmyrewardcameofitself。
CHAPTERVII
IContinueMyRelationsWithMdlle。X。C。V。——VainAttemptstoProcureAbortion——TheAroph——SheFliesFromHomeandTakesRefugeinaConventThedifficultiesIencounteredonlyservedtoincreasemyloveformycharmingEnglishwoman。Iwenttoseehereverymorning，andasmyinterestinherconditionwasgenuine，shecouldhavenosuspicionthatIwasactingapart，orattributemycareofhertoanythingbutthemostdelicatefeelings。Forherpartsheseemedwellpleasedinthealterationofmybehaviour，thoughhersatisfactionmayveryprobablyhavebeenassumed。Iunderstoodwomenwellenoughtoknowthatthoughshedidnotlovemeshewasprobablyannoyedatseeingmynewcharactersituponmesoeasily。
Onemorninginthemidstofanunimportantanddisconnectedconversation，shecomplimentedmeuponmystrengthofmindinsubduingmypassion，adding，withasmile，thatmydesirecouldnothaveprickedmeverysharply，seeingthatIhadcuredmyselfsowellinthecourseofaweek。IquietlyrepliedthatIowedmycurenottotheweaknessofmypassionbuttomyself—respect。
\"Iknowmyowncharacter，\"Isaid，\"andwithoutunduepresumption，I
thinkImaysaythatIamworthyofawoman’slove。Naturally，afteryourconvincingmethatyouthinkdifferently，Ifeelhumiliatedandindignant。Doyouknowwhateffectsuchfeelingshaveontheheart？\"
\"Alas！\"saidshe，\"Iknowtoowell。Theireffectistoinspireonewithcontemptforherwhogaverisetothem。\"
\"Thatisgoingtoofar，atleastinmycase。Myindignationwasmerelysucceededbyarenewedconfidenceinmyself，andadeterminationtoberevenged。\"
\"Toberevenged！Inwhatway？\"
\"Iwishtocompelyoutoesteemme，byprovingtoyouthatIamlordofmyself，andcanpassbywithindifferencewhatIoncesoardentlydesired。IdonotknowwhetherIhavesucceededyet，butImaysaythatIcannowcontemplateyourcharmswithoutdesiringtopossessthem。\"
\"Youaremakingamistake，forIneverceasedtoesteemyou，andI
esteemedyouasmuchaweekagoasIdoto—day。NorforamomentI
didthinkyoucapableofleavingmetomyfateasapunishmentforhavingrefusedtogivewaytoyourtransports，andIamgladthatI
readyourcharacterrightly。\"
WewentontospeakoftheopiateImadehertake，andasshesawnochangeinherconditionshewantedmetoincreasethedose——arequestItookcarenottogrant，asIknewthatmorethanhalfadrachmmightkillher。Ialsoforbadehertobleedherselfagain，asshemightdoherselfaseriousinjurywithoutgaininganythingbyit。
Hermaid，ofwhomshehadbeenobligedtomakeaconfidante，hadhadherbledbyastudent，herlover。ItoldMdlle。X。C。V。thatifshewantedthesepeopletokeephercounselshemustbeliberalwiththem，andsherepliedthatshehadnomoney。Iofferedhermoneyandsheacceptedfiftylouis，assuringmethatshewouldrepaymethatsumwhichsheneededforherbrotherRichard。Ihadnotasmuchmoneyaboutme，butIsentherthesamedayapacketoftwelvehundredfrancswithanoteinwhichIbeggedhertohaverecoursetomeinallhernecessities。Herbrothergotthemoney，andthoughthimselfauthorizedtoapplytomeforaidinamuchmoreimportantmatter。
Hewasayoungmanandaprofligate，andhadgotintoahouseofill—
fame，fromwhichhecameoutinsorryplight。HecomplainedbitterlythatM。Farsettihadrefusedtolendhimfourlouis，andheaskedmetospeaktohismotherthatshemightpayforhiscure。Iconsented，butwhenhismotherheardwhatwasthematterwithhim，shesaiditwouldbemuchbettertoleavehimashewas，asthiswasthethirdtimehehadbeeninthiscondition，andthattohavehimcuredwasawasteofmoney，asnosoonerwashewellthanhebeganhisdissipatedlifeafresh。Shewasquiteright，forIhadhimcuredatmyexpensebyanablesurgeon，andhewasinthesamewayamonthafter。Thisyoungmanseemedintendedbynatureforshamefulexcesses，forattheageoffourteenhewasanaccomplishedprofligate。
Hissisterwasnowsixmonthswithchild，andasherfiguregrewgreatsodidherdespair。Sheresolvednottoleaveherbed，anditgrievedmetoseeherthuscastdown。Thinkingmeperfectlycuredofmypassionforher，shetreatedmepurelyasafriend，makingmetouchherallovertoconvincemethatshedarenotshewherselfanylonger。Iplayedinshortthepartofamidwife，butwithwhatastruggle！IhadtopretendtobecalmandunconcernedwhenIwasconsumedwithpassion。Shespokeofkillingherselfinamannerthatmademeshudder，asIsawthatshehadreflectedonwhatshewassaying。Iwasinadifficultpositionwhenfortunecametomyassistanceinastrangeandamusingmanner。
Oneday，asIwasdiningwithMadamed’Urfe，Iaskedherifsheknewofanywaybywhichagirl，whohadallowedherlovertogotoofar，mightbeprotectedfromshame。\"Iknowofaninfalliblemethod，\"shereplied，\"thearophofParacelsustowit，anditiseasyofapplication。Doyouwishtoknowmoreaboutit？\"sheadded；andwithoutwaitingformetoanswershebroughtamanuscript，andputitinmyhands。Thispowerfulemmenagoguewasakindofunguentcomposedofseveraldrugs，suchassaffron，myrrh，etc。，compoundedwithvirginhoney。Toobtainthenecessaryresultonehadtoemployacylindricalmachinecoveredwithextremelysoftskin，thickenoughtofilltheopeningofthevagina，andlongenoughtoreachtheopeningofthereservoirorcasecontainingthefoetus。Theendofthisapparatuswastobewellanointedwitharoph，andasitonlyactedatamomentofuterineexcitementitwasnecessarytoapplyitwiththesamemovementasthatofcoition。Thedosehadtoberepeatedfiveorsixtimesadayforawholeweek。
Thisnostrum，andthemannerofadministeringit，struckmeinsolaughablealightthatIcouldnotkeepmycountenance。Ilaughedwithallmyheart，butforallthatIspentthenexttwohoursinreadingthedreamsofParacelsus，inwhichMadamed’UrfeputmoretrustthaninthetruthsoftheGospel；IafterwardsreferredtoBoerhaave，whospeaksofthearophinmorereasonableterms。
Seeing，asIhaveremarked，thecharmingX。C。V。severalhoursadaywithoutanykindofconstraint，feelinginlovewithherallthetime，andalwaysrestrainingmyfeelings，itisnowonderifthehiddenfirethreatenedateverymomenttoleapupfromtheashesofitsconcealment。Herimagepursuedmeunceasingly，ofherIalwaysthought，andeverydaymadeitmoreevidentthatIshouldknowrestnomoretillIsucceededinextinguishingmypassionbyobtainingpossessionofallhercharms。
AsIwasthinkingofherbymyselfIresolvedtotellherofmydiscovery，hopingshewouldneedmyhelpintheintroductionofthecylinder。Iwenttoseeheratteno’clock，andfoundher，asusual，inbed；shewasweepingbecausetheopiateIgaveherdidnottakeeffect。IthoughtthetimeagoodoneforintroducingthearophofParacelsus，whichIassuredherwasaninfalliblemeansofattainingtheendshedesired；butwhilstIwassingingthepraisesofthisapplicationtheideacameintomyheadtosaythat，tobeabsolutelycertain，itwasnecessaryforthearophtobemingledwithsemenwhichhadnotlostitsnaturalheat。
\"Thismixture，\"saidI，\"moisteningseveraltimesadaytheopeningofthewomb，weakensittosuchadegreethatthefoetusisexpelledbyitsownweight:\"
TothesedetailsIaddedlengthyargumentstopersuadeheroftheefficacyofthiscure，andthen，seeingthatshewasabsorbedinthought，Isaidthatasherloverwasawayshewouldwantasurefriendtoliveinthesamehousewithher，andgiveherthedoseaccordingtothedirectionsofParacelsus。
Allatoncesheburstintoapealoflaughter，andaskedmeifIhadbeenjestingallthetime。
Ithoughtthegamewasup。Theremedywasanabsurdone，onthefaceofit；andifhercommonsensetoldherasmuchitwouldalsomakeherguessmymotive。Butwhatlimitsaretheretothecredulityofawomaninhercondition？
\"Ifyouwish，\"saidI，persuasively，\"IwillgiveyouthemanuscriptwhereallthatIhavesaidissetdownplainly。IwillalsoshewyouwhatBoerhaevethinksaboutit。\"
Isawthatthesewordsconvincedher；theyhadactedonherasifbymagic，andIwentonwhiletheironwashot。
\"Thearoph，\"saidI，\"isthemostpowerfulagentforbringingonmenstruation。\"
\"AndthatisincompatiblewiththestateIamnowin；sothearophshouldprocuremeasecretdeliverance。Doyouknowitscomposition？\"
\"Certainly；itisquiteasimplepreparationcomposedofcertainingredientswhicharewellknowntome，andwhichhavetobemadeintoapastewithbutterorvirginhoney。Butthiscompositionmusttouchtheorificeoftheuterusatamomentofextremeexcitement。\"
\"Butinthatcaseitseemstomethatthepersonwhogivesthedosemustbeinlove。\"
\"Certainly，unlessheisamereanimalrequiringonlyphysicalincentives。\"
Shewassilentforsometime，forthoughshewasquick—wittedenough，awoman’snaturalmodestyandherownfrankness，preventedherfromguessingatmyartifice。I，too，astonishedatmysuccessinmakingherbelievethisfable，remainedsilent。
Atlast，breakingthesilence，shesaid，sadly，\"Themethodseemstomeanexcellentone，butIdonotthinkIoughttomakeuseofit。\"
Thensheaskedmeifthearophtookmuchtimetomake。
\"Twohoursatmost，\"Ianswered，\"ifIsucceedinprocuringEnglishsaffron，whichParacelsuspreferstotheOrientalsaffron。\"
AtthatmomenthermotherandtheChevalierFarsetticamein，andaftersometalkofnoconsequencesheaskedmetostaytodinner。I
wasgoingtodecline，whenMdlle。X。C。V。saidshewouldsitattable，onwhichIaccepted；andwealllefttheroomtogivehertimetodress。Shewasnotlongindressing，andwhensheappearedherfigureseemedtomequitenymph—like。Iwasastonished，andcouldscarcelybelievemyeyes，andIwasonthepointofthinkingthatI
hadbeenimposedon，forIcouldnotimaginehowshecouldmanagetoconcealthefulnessIhadfeltwithmyownhands。
M。Farsettisatbyher，andIbythemother。Mdlle。X。C。V。，whoseheadwasfullofthearoph，askedherneighbour，whogavehimselfoutforagreatchemist，ifheknewit。
\"IfancyIknowitbetterthananyone，\"answeredFarsetti，inaself—
satisfiedmanner。
\"Whatisitgoodfor？\"
\"Thatistoovagueaquestion。\"
\"Whatdoesthewordmean？\"
\"ItisanArabicword，ofwhichIdonotknowthemeaning；butnodoubtParacelsuswouldtellus。\"
\"Theword，\"saidI，\"isneitherArabicnorHebrew，nor，indeed，ofanylanguageatall。Itisacontractionwhichconcealstwootherwords。\"
\"Canyoutelluswhattheyare？\"saidthechevalier。
\"Certainly；arocomesfromaroma，andphistheinitialofphilosophorum:\"
\"DidyougetthatoutofParacelsus？\"saidFarsetti，evidentlyannoyed。
\"No，sir；IsawitinBoerhaave。\"
\"That’sgood，\"saidhe，sarcastically；\"Boerhaavesaysnothingofthesort，butIlikeamanwhoquotesreadily。\"
\"Laugh，sir，ifyoulike，\"saidI，proudly，\"buthereisthetestofwhatIsay；acceptthewagerifyoudare。Idon’tquotefalsely，likepersonswhotalkofwordsbeingArabic。\"
SosayingIflungapurseofgoldonthetable，butFarsetti，whowasbynomeanssureofwhathewassaying，answereddisdainfullythatheneverbetted。
However，Mdlle。X。C。V。，enjoyinghisconfusion，toldhimthatwasthebestwaynevertolose，andbegantojokehimonhisArabicderivation。But，formypart，Ireplacedmypurseinmypocket，andonsometriflingpretextwentoutandsentmyservanttoMadamed’Urfe’stogetmeBoerhaave。
OnmyreturntotheroomIsatdownagainattable，andjoinedgailyintheconversationtillthereturnofmymessengerwiththebook。I
openedit，andasIhadbeenreadingittheeveningbeforeIsoonfoundtheplaceIwanted，andgivingittohimbeggedhimtosatisfyhimselfthatIhadquotednotreadilybutexactly。Insteadoftakingthebook，hegotupandwentoutwithoutsayingaword。
\"Hehasgoneawayinarage，\"saidthemother；\"andIwouldwageranythingthathewillnotcomebackagain。\"
\"Iwagerhewill，\"saidthedaughter，\"hewillhonouruswithhisagreeablecompanybeforeto—morrow’ssunhasset。\"
Shewasright。FromthatdayFarsettibecamemydeterminedenemy，andletnoopportunityslipofconvincingmeofhishatred。
AfterdinnerweallwenttoPassytobepresentataconcertgivenbyM。delaPopeliniere，whomadeusstaytosupper。IfoundthereSilviaandhercharmingdaughter，whopoutedatmeandnotwithoutcause，asIhadneglectedher。Thefamousadept，St。Germain，enlivenedthetablewithhiswildtiradessofinelydelivered。I
haveneverseenamoreintellectualoramusingcharlatanthanhe。
NextdayIshutmyselfuptoanswerahostofquestionsthatEstherhadsentme。Itookcaretoanswerallthosebearingonbusinessmattersasobscurelyaspossible，notonlyforthecreditoftheoracle，butalsoforfearofmisleadingthefatherandmakinghimlosemoney。TheworthymanwasthemosthonestofDutchmillionaires，buthemighteasilymakealargeholeinhisfortune，ifhedidnotabsolutelyruinhimself，byputtinganimplicittrustinmyinfallibility。AsforEsther，Iconfessthatshewasnownomoretomethanapleasantmemory。
Inspiteofmypretenceofindifference，mywholeheartwasgiventoMdlle。X。C。V。，andIdreadedthemomentwhenshewouldbenolongerabletohideherconditionfromherfamily。Iwassorryforhavingspokenaboutthearoph，asthreedayshadgonebywithouthermentioningit，andIcouldnotverywellreopenthequestionmyself。
Iwasafraidthatshesuspectedmymotives，andthattheesteemsheprofessedformehadbeenreplacedbyamuchlessfriendlysentiment。
Ifeltthatherscornwouldbetoomuchformetobear。SohumiliatedwasIthatIcouldnotvisither，andIdoubtifIshouldhaveseenheragainifshehadnotintervened。Shewrotemeanote，inwhichshesaidIwasheronlyfriend，andthattheonlymarkoffriendshipshewantedwasthatIshouldcomeandseehereveryday，ifitwerebutforamoment。Ihastedtotakehermyreplyinmyownperson，andpromisednottoneglecther，assuringherthatatallhazardsshemightrelyonme。Iflatteredmyselfthatshewouldmentionthearoph，butshedidnotdoso。Iconcludedthat，afterthinkingitover，shehadresolvedtothinknomoreaboutit。
\"Wouldyoulikeme，\"Isaid，\"toinviteyourmotherandtherestofyoutodinewithme？\"
\"Ishallbedelighted，\"shereplied。\"Itwillbeaforbiddenpleasuretomebeforelong。\"
Igavethemadinnerbothsumptuousanddelicate。Ihadsparednoexpensetohaveeverythingofthebest。IhadaskedSilvia，hercharmingdaughter，anItalianmusiciannamedMagali，withwhomasisterofMdlle。X。C。V。’swastaken，andthefamousbassLaGarde。
Mdlle。X。C。V。wasinthehighestspiritsallthetime。Salliesofwit，jests，goodstoriesandenjoyment，werethesoulofthebanquet。
Wedidnotseparatetillmidnight，andbeforeleavingMdlle。X。C。V。
foundamomenttowhispertometocomeandseeherearlynextmorning，asshewantedtospeaktomeonmattersofimportance。
ItwillbeguessedthatIacceptedtheinvitation。Iwaitedonherbeforeeighto’clock。Shewasverymelancholy，andtoldmethatshewasindespair，thatlaPopelinierepressedonthemarriage，andthathermotherpersecutedher。
\"ShetellsmethatImustsignthecontract，andthatthedressmakerwillsoonbecomingtotakemymeasureformyweddingdress。TothatIcannotconsent，foradressmakerwouldcertainlyseemysituation。
Iwilldieratherthanconfideinmymother，ormarrybeforeIamdelivered。\"
\"Thereisalwaystimeenoughtotalkaboutdying，\"saidI，\"whenallothermeanshavefailed。IthinkyoucouldeasilygetridoflaPopeliniere，whoisamanofhonour。Tellhimhowyouaresituated，andhewillactwithoutcompromisingyou，ashisowninterestissufficientlyinvolvedtomakehimkeepthesecret。\"
\"ButshouldIbemuchbetteroffthen？Andhowaboutmymother？\"
\"Yourmother？Oh！Iwillmakeherlistentoreason。\"